Joe Grcevich Inducted - Chicago 1980
	Joe Grcevich was, almost literally, born with a tambura in his hand.  Shortly before he was born, Joe's father and mother were evicted from their company home because of Joe's father's union organizing activity in the coal mines.  On November 4, 1922, Joe was born in a tent in Luxor, Pennsylvania.  The most important of the few items the Grceviches were able to keep with them in the close confines of the tent was, of course, a tambura.  The tambura became Joe's plaything until his father gave hime a tambura of his own on Joe's fourth birthday.  Joe hasn't put it down yet.
	In 1932, Joe began playing regularly with the Jutarnja Zvezda orchestra made up of Joe, his brother Marko, his father Josip, Matt Marovich, and Peter Mamula.  They played for many weddings and other social gatherings but were probably best known for their Sunday morning programs on radio station WHJB in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.
	Tambura orchestra Zora was formed in 1935 with Joe, his brother Marko, George and Nick Puskarich, Andy Capan and Paul Delivuk.  Their 8 a.m. Sunday morning radio program was very popular in the listening area of WMBS, Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
	Joe traveled to Oakmont, Pennsylvania in 1941 and formed the famous tambura orchestra Sloboda with his brother Marko, Joe Kucinic, Tony Cvetnich, Marko Sumrak, John Bozic, and John Turcic.  From 1941 to 1947, Sloboda played almost every Sunday on radio station WLOA, Braddock, Pennsylvania.  Joe missed some of these performances during the time he spent overseas during World War II.
	Prior to entering the Army in 1941, Joe attended Duquesne University where he was the first brac player for the Duquesne Tamburitzans.  During the war, Joe was seldom without an instrument, even if he had to borrower a guitar from time to time.
	In 1945, Joe returned from the service to marry Rose Sumrak and take up where he left off with Sloboda.  It was during the post-war years that Sloboda, with Joe and his brother Marko forming the nucleus, became one of the finest tambura orchestras in America.  The excellent recordings Sloboda made during this period are still popular today.  They played for literally thousands of social affairs, on a regular schedule at the Tropics Lounge in Braddock, and at the Grcevich's brother's own place in East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania -- the Hilltop Cafe.
	Joe never does anything halfway -- he always does his best.  With typical enthusiasm, Joe because the director of the St. George Junior Tamburitzans of Cokeburg, Pennsylvania, in 1963.  The outstanding achievements of the St. George Junior Tamburitzans are testimony to Joe's dedication to teaching and preserving his cultural heritage.  Joe taught many fine musicians including his son Djeri who is an outstanding recording artist.
	Joe no longer plays with any orchestra on a regular basis, but he never says no when asked to perform for charitable affairs or to participate in fraternal and civic functions.  His home in North Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, has become a mecca for tamburasi from all over America as well as many from Yugoslavia.  Joe's career as a tambura player and director is far from over, but he has already made an indelible mark on the history of tambura music in America.
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