Inducted - Las Vegas 1989
Adam and Louie Kapugi, who along with their Hall of Fame brothers Martin and Frank, were an integral part of the famous Sar Planina Tamburitza Orchestra. They began their tamburitza training under Tom Obradovich and brother Martin.
By the year 1929, the brothers were booking playing jobs, and in 1933 and 1934, were performing at the Chicago World's Fair (Century of Progress) along with the Brothers Popovich.
Early photos indicate that brother Adam probably started playing tambura on the Farkas bisernica, and somewhere down the line, switched to the tamburitza cello in G. Brother Adam may have started on the (G) bugarija but wound up being one of the finest beglait players in the country.
In the illustrious careers of these two men, they have been teamed up with some of the greatest folk singers of Yugoslavian songs. On recordings they have backed up singers like Hall of Fame inductees Edo Lubic, Vinka Ellesin, and a host of other great singers such as Uros Seferovich, Rasha Radenkovich, and Angelina of the popular television program "International Cafe".
The four Kapugi brothers opened up their own business in 1946. Chicago's "Tamburitza Cafe" became one of the most famous watering holes for tamburaši and tamburitza fans. Recalling one of the many visits, it was a place where one would hear everything from "Ti Maricka Peglaj" to the concert piece "Procession of the Cardar".
The versatility of this group was immense and when the late Mel (Milovan) Dokich joined the group, there was no end to what they could do with their tamburitzas.
Adam, the tamburitza cellist, is retired from active playing and spends most of his leisure time attending concerts and opera.
Brother Louie is still active with his beglait and now does his entertaining in the Miami, Florida, area. Due to the great talents of these fine gentlemen and the Sar Planina Orchestra, many youngsters were spurred on to pursue the tamburitza vocation.
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