Inducted - Harrisburg 1999
Paul Adamovich was born in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of Ziva and Gina and the sibling to three brothers and two sisters. Of all the Adamovich children, Pio was the only one to pursue the tamburitza. He received early instruction on the bass from George Skrbina and Peter Pozega.
Paul began his professional musical career in 1948, some 50 years ago, and is still actively playing and performing today with several orchestras.
During these past golden years, Pio has been a member of some nine tamburitza bands including George Skrbina and the Balkan Serenaders, Mel Evanovich and the Balkan Serenaders, Libby Fill and the Volims, Mirko Roknich Orchestra, and Tri Pajdaša. There have been months when Pio performed simultaneously with two bands. Throughout the years, Paul has always helped many bands in need of a last-minute bass player. "Have berde, will travel" has always been his motto.
Paul's longest tenure was the 20 years he performed, and at times led, the Balkan Serenaders. This particular group performed both nationally and internationally, recorded several albums, and appeared on radio and television.
Paul is also very proud of his 14-year affiliation with the Tri Pajdaša under the baton of Mike Pozega. Any musician will tell you that a three-member group requires extra effort, but this outstanding trio had the distinction of entertaining throughout the United States, Canada, and the former Yugoslavia. In fact, while abroad, Tri Pajdaša was broadcast on Yugoslavian National Television. Pio's distinguishable mustache and twinkling eyes made him an instant screen star on that tour, but somehow we managed to return him to the United States, keeping his talents stateside.
During his many years of playing tamburitza, Paul has donated his services for many occasions, too numerous to mention, and was happy to do so.
Considering the hectic life of a tamburitza musician, Paul still managed to maintain a very full personal life as he and his wife of 41 years, the former Violet Odly of Dearborn, Michigan, have parented four children and now have three grandsons.
Pio's intelligence transcended the musical domain as he worked for over 30 years at the LTV Steel Company as a supervisor in its Youngstown division.
Now you might think a man constantly involved in playing the tamburitza professionally might have no time for volunteerism, but not Paul Adamovich. Throughout his life, he has been a member and past officer of the Holy Trinity Serbian Church in Youngstown, as well as being a member of the Serbian National Federation. For nearly a decade, he has served as a trustee of the Croatian Fraternal Union's Lodge 66 and is currently president of the trustee's board of control.
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