Melvin (Milovan) Dokich Inducted - Cleveland 1975
	The illustrious career of Melvin Dokich, musician par excellence, spans four decades of active entertaining with some of the most prominent tamburitza orchestras past and present.  Son of the late Djoko Dokich, an outstanding singer and musician in his own right, Mel's future in the tamburitza world was predetermined.  Last of the still active musicians who at one time or other joined with some of the old greats to carry on the traditional music of the tamburasi.  Men like Andrija Culik, Blaz Tkalac, Pero Perez, Toso (Deda) Petrovich, the brothers Latkovic (Joe, John, and Steve), Elijah Miskovich, Baich, Novo Plavsic, John Pavkovich, Joe Skornjak, Dave Zupkovich, John Krilcic, and many, many others.
	Mel's musical education began at age six, at which time he studied both piano and violin.  Later he was under the tutelage of Mr. Paul Sladek of the University of Carnegie Tech.  Other instructors who brought his musical abilities forward were Herman Spitalny of Philadelphia and Efrem Zimbalist, Sr., who toured the world in concert with the great tenor Enrico Caruso and is the father of the renown actor Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.  For a period, Mel was a member of the famous Gus Haenschen Orchestra of Detroit excelling in symphony work.
	Mel, as early as age eight, was participating in his father's orchestra and continuing his musical studies.  He later became a permanent member of the Balkan Orchestra.  While in Detroit, the Dokich orchestras did the greater part of their entertaining at The Blue Danube, Joe Brown's Butcher Club and Jim's Cabaret.  Stints in the Pittsburgh area placed the orchestra in Conway, Freedom, Ambridge, and Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.  The state of Ohio was also on their itinerary.
	After the death of Djoko Dokich in 1944, Mel moved to Chicago where he joined the Kapugi Brothers Orchestra.  1956 brought to the midwest the popular television program called "International Cafe" featuring Mel and the Sar Planina Orchestra.  Mel was finally awarded the exposure he rightfully deserved.  His violin solos usually performed for some dazzling beauty as he inched his way around the tables of the cafe were very effective to the watching audience and soon the demand for Mel and the orchestra was overwhelming.
	Mel and the orchestra were sought out by singers like Vinka, Edo Ljubic, Angelina and Rasha Radenkovich, and Urosh Seferovich because of their fine backing afforded to the singer.
	Recordings are the backbone of any good tamburitza orchestra and Mel has certainly had his share of platter work.  Recordings for the old Zora company and later with RCA Victor, Continental, and Balkan labels enabled him to record som 200 numbers.
	Always chasing a busy schedule, Mel still found time to do a little tamburitza teaching and for a period he had four groups going at one time.  The demands of over-activity take their toll and much to his despair, teaching youngsters was one facet he had to relinquish.
	1973 was a bleak, dismal year for the Dokich family.  Ill health and the discovery of leukemia threatened the career of Mel and his magic violin.  Mel rose to the occasion and with chemotherapy continued his pursuit of the music he loves and has helped so much to advance.  That same year a testimonial was held for Mel honoring him and his music.  A genuine superstar of the tamburitza world whose life exemplifies the love and devotion of Yugoslav song and music that is truly inspirational.
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