John Kudrin Inducted Posthumously - Detroit 2006
	In the greater Ohio Slavic community, the name John Kudrin is synonymous with tambura.  He was a pioneer of the tambura movement and one of its most dynamic leaders.  John was born in 1904 in the village of Bisag, Croatia.  At the agen of 16, he boarded a ship at LeHarve, France with his family destined for America.  Arriving in Philadelphia, the family traveled west and settled in Lorain, Ohio -- home of the US Steel pipe mills.  John quickly set about to learn English and how to play the tambura.
	In 1925 he married Stefania Beribak.  As his biggest fan, she handled all the press and publicity for his orchestra, even during a brief time they lived and worked in Detroit.  After returning to Lorain, John performed continuously for the next 52 years throughout Lorain, Cleveland, Akron, and Columbus areas with side trips to perform in West Virgina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, and Canada.
	In the late 1920's John performed with Orkestra Tony Yakovich, then went on to create his own group -- Orchestra Lira.  By this time, he was already an accomplished musician playing the brac, prim, bugarija, and bass, as well as a fine arranger of compositions for the tambura orchestra.  His days often included working his shift at US Steel, then hurrying home for a quick supper, and scurrying off to this study to play and write.  His manuscripts, done in pen and ink, are works of art and cover almost all nationalities.
	John began instructing his first students in the 1930's, a group soon to become known as the John Kudrin String Quartet.  In the late 30's he started the Kudrin Tamburitza Orchestra.  A perfectionist in his writing and playing, he expected no less from his students.  "Practice makes perfect" was his motto.  The group went on to perform live on radio station WADC in Akron by live remote from the Rallis Cafe in Cleveland as part of a weekend Croatian Radio hour together with the Terach Brothers, Helena Family Orchestra, the Frank Muza Orchestra and many others.  The Kudrin Tamburitza Orchestra received many accolades for thier musical talent and unique comedy skits.
	During the 1950's John joined his contemporaries in the Paul Vangeloff Orchestra.  He particularly enjoyed spending time with his countrymen and performing at the many parties and picnics in the Lorain/Cleveland area.  He also organized and taught the first group of young tamburaši in the basement of St. Vitus Church in Lorain.  Although it was a small group, it was the beginning of a major tambura movement in the mid 1950s.  He later taught at St. George's Chucrch in Lorain for a small group of middle-aged friends who wanted to promote and preserve their rich cultural heritage, and he gave individual instruction at his home to many people of various ethnic backgrounds.  The Kudrin family fondly remembers the constantly brewing coffee in the kitchen while music and Serbo-Croatian language lessons were conducted.  John's son, Roy, followed in his father's footsteps starting the Lira Tamburitzans.  This large ensemble performed during the 1960s with John as its biggest fan, its proudest supporter, and its most accomplished arranger providing materials for their two albums, Lira Plays for You (1960) and Tambur-Serenadu (1965).
	John Kudrin was indeed a gifted musician, but his love of the tambura led him also to handcraft numerous instruments.  During the 60's and 70's, he spent much time creating beautiful prims, bracs, bugarijas and celos that are still in use today.
	All of these contributions have equipped several generations of tamburaši to continue our wonderful musical culture.  Both of John's children, Roy Kudrin and Viola Kudrin Klosz, as well as several grandchildren, are accomplished musicians and proud members of the TAA carrying on John's outstanding leadership and family tradition of support and promotion of our treasured tamburitza heritage.  Ziveli Tamburaši!
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