Sam Krajnovich Inducted - Detroit 1985
	Sam Krajnovich's parents came to this country in 1907 from Austria-Hungary, which is now known as Yugoslavia.  In 1918, Sam was born in Kansas City, Missouri.  For over 50 years, Sam has dedicated much of his time to teaching, playing and promoting the heritage and tradition of the tamburitza music in Kansas City, Kansas and also Missouri and Illinois.
	In 1932, Sam learned to play the tambura with his church orchestra in Kansas City, Kansas.  He also has taught music to many young people.  Through the years he has taught three youth tamburitza groups and organized five other groups.
	Sam organized his first orchestra in the 1930's along with the late Johnny Soptich on bass, Henry Pear played bugarija and Sam played the brac.  At that time they played Farkas tamburitza.
	In the late 1930's, Sam went to Madison, Illinois.  There he played with the Danica Tamburitza Orchestra.  He played with the late Mickey Brncic, who played the prim.  Also the late Mike Novacic played bass.  Then in the 1940's, Sam went back to Kansas City.  There he taught the John Muzas family to play the tambura.
	In 1947, Sam formed an orchestra to play for his church.  Sam obtained the service of Frank Chelesnik for their instructor.  Sam returned to Madison, Illinois.  There he played with Steve Buchevich Jr.'s Junior Tamburitza Orchestra.  They played at the Croatian Hall.  Frank Mudrovich played bugarija and the late Joe Buchevich played the bass.  Steve Buchevich Jr. played first brac and Sam played second brac.
	In the later 1950's and 1960's, Sam organized a tambura orchestra in Granite City, Illinois with the late Joe Gerbic, M. Finley, and his son Bob.  Sam went back to Kansas City in the 1970's and organized another tamburitza orchestra comprised of Bob Cigich, Ed Grisnick, Johnny Soptick and Sam.  They played together until 1977 when Sam moved to Texas for his health.
	In 1981, Sam started the Pan-Slavic Club in Dallas, Texas.  In 1982, San organized another tamburitza orchestra in Dallas, Texas, with John Miskudin on first brac, Joe Kirin on prim, Evan Geusic on bugarija, Tony Carevic on bass, and Sam playing second brac.  They played for the city of Dallas in 1983 and 1984 at the International Bazaar.  This is the first tambura orchestra in Dallas, Texas.
	Sam was General Chairman when Kansas City hosted the Tamburitza Extravaganza in 1977.  He has revolved his life around music and has been so giving of his time, talents, and money to promote music.  If he heard of a child that was interested in music, he would go to great lengths to pick the child up and deliver him back home, just so he had an opportunity to learn to play the tambura.
	Sam is still playing tambura and keeping it alive in Texas.
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