Inducted - Pittsburgh 1997
Nick Chavlovich and his wife Barbara have lived in New Brighton most of their 51 years of married life. They have four enthusiastic and proud children. Nick, Joseph, Barbara, and Mary Ann grew up around his wonderful music and the next generation, Nicole and Andrea, love to hear "Puppie" play. Music lives on with Nicole's violin and Andrea's piano.
Nick was attracted to the tambura at an early age, when he was only three years old. The local orchestra would let him strum their instruments, when they were on a break. He also would sing along with records that his parents played on a hand-cranked Victrola. He made his first tambura from railroad ties and grape boxes, until Pete Rebaric, his first teacher, bought a set of Farkas instruments. Nick played the brač and, with a few friends, started the Veseli Seljaci Orchestra. It was not long before he was known for his versatility in playing all the instruments.
When the Sremski system of playing became popular, Nick had no trouble in making the change. He was taught at this time by Ivan Caravic, who was his teacher of the brač and violin Years later, Nick was taught violin by Steve Radatovich, and concert violin by Professor Vince Lagone. He played briefly with the newly formed Beaver Falls Symphony before entering the service.
While in the service with the Army Signal Corps, he bought a mandolin, accordion, and violin. Nick taught other members to play and sing our songs with his friend, Lubo Dmitrovich, who had a prim. When time permitted, he played in Naples, Florence, and Rome.
After the service, Nick got into the insurance business but still found time to play the tambura. He reformed the Plavi Jorgovan Orchestra, and again was back playing. When not playing the tambura, he played with Lester Brown's Melodaires from New Brighton.
Nick got so involved with our music that he learned to arrange. He would take many of our old standards and arrange them to a more modern mode, spending many hours doing so.
He has played in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, as well as Chicago and Hamilton, Ontario. He has performed at the Third Annual Smithsonian Institute's Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C. His part of the program was to play and explain the many facets of the tambura. He also did the same at workshops at Philadelphia Folk Festival, Juniata College, and Newport, Rhode Island. At Newport, Johnny Cash, Bill Monroe, and Glen Campbell were in attendance. Also, he has played at all jubilees at White Swan Park in Pittsburgh.
Nick has been very instrumental in promoting the tambura throughout his 70 years of playing. When talking to Nick, the conversation without a doubt will change to the subject of tambura.
Nick had the opportunity to play with well known tamburaši, including the late Frank Muza, Pete Malencich, Rade Stojic, Gus Rogan, and John Sudar. He has also played with Pete and Lou Kunovich, Steve and Stanley Grubisa, Mike Hegol, and Matt Rebrovic.
His Plavi Jorgovan Orchestra is well known for its wide range of songs and dances. He is the teacher, arranger, and director of the Valovi Adult Tamburitzans. These two groups have recorded many hours of television and radio tapes for the popular programmer Mike Hegol, another promoter of our tambura. Nick's performances have given him as much joy as he has given to his listeners.
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