Danny Kukich Inducted - Chicago 1983
	Born May 30, 1919, in Rankin, Pennsylvania, Danny Kukich has been in the music business for 50 years.  Starting his music education at the age of 14, he began taking guitar lessons at the Wurlitzer Private School of Music in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, under the direction of Victor Lawrence.  As he progressed, his interest became more detailed with schooling in music theory and harmony, soon introducing him into the advanced school of arranging and counterpoint under the well-known teacher max Adkins.
	In 1936, Danny was asked to be a member of the Stanley Theatre Stage Orchestra as the feature guitarist where he accompanied various artists and stars from all over the country as they came to the Stanley for weekly shows.  Soon after, Danny's career found him being solo guitarist for many dance bands, minstrel and vaudeville shows in the Pittsburgh locale.
	In 1938, Danny chose to reject an offer to travel nationally due to his love for tambura music.  At this time he was asked to become the permanent cello player for the Croatian String Ensemble under the direction of good friend Matt Pericak.  A few years later, Danny formed his own orchestra called "Slav Continentals".  Along with his daily schedule as music teacher at local studios, high nightly schedule included engagements at various clubs that flourished not only on Saturday and Sunday, but five nights a week.  During any free time he had, he frequently traveled to Cleveland, Ohio, to broaden his arranging knowledge to tamburas from the famous Jim Kovacevic who was musical arranger for the Balkan Mountain Men of New York City, and foremost tambura player and craftsman.
	After years of continuous entertaining, "Slav Continentals" became "Danny Kukich and his Orchestra".  In the late 1940's, Danny became employed by the great Sevdalinka singer Vinka Ellison as her backup orchestra when they toured the tri-state area.  During this time, Danny and his orchestra recorded and accompanied Vinka on many transcriptions.  In 1954, Danny had the distinct pleasure of accompanying the one and only Edo Ljubic on the local radio program "Balkan Gaieties" with Charlene Naglich (which still exists today).
	Danny's tambura career is not limited to the Yugoslav world.  Several jazz artists were fascinated with the tambura sound.  Danny and his good friend Joe Negri, Pittsburgh's #1 jazz guitarist and TV personality, have recorded many brac and guitar duets together.
	As Danny approaches his 50th year in music, he since has challenged different aspects of the business.  He has taken violin lessons and was a member of the Wilkinsburg Symphony Orchestra where he played second violin for several years.
	Looking back throughout his career, Danny has been responsible for many contributions to the music field.  In 1964, he was instrumental in the formation of the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Tamburitzans of Wilmerding, where he was musical director.  Danny is credited with translation of many of our American ballads into the Serbo-Croatian language, which are being perpetuated by local tambura bands around the area.  "Song of the Week", which ran for many successful years in the American Srbrobran was compiled by Danny.  He has arranged many choral arrangements, including those he arranged for the St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church Choir of Monroeville.  Although he doesn't have time to sing with the choir, he supports it and is more than happy to help out musically whenever he can.
	Presently, Danny spends his time arranging and teaching guitar, tambura, banjo, and all string instruments in his home and music studios nearby.  Many of the young performers and tamburasi in the field today are products of Danny's training.  He is proud to stand watch and is glad to offer any assistance he can.
	While still accepting engagements with his own "Danny Kukich and his Orchestra", where he plays bugarija, he also enjoys being a member of the "Plavi Mjesec Orchestra" of Monroeville, where he plays prim.
	Danny has been interviewed on several radio talk shows where he has demonstrated and spoken on the topic of tamburitza music.  He has also been guest speaker for special occasions where he has talked about the tamburitza world and the evolution of the tambura.
	One of the bands Danny was responsible for managing, training and teaching was the "Avala Tamburitza Orchestra" of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, whose leader was Robert Rade Stone, Supreme President of the Serb National Federation.  Danny has contributed countless hours in composing, arranging, teaching not only the older tambura players but also the young, upcoming tamburitza players to assure us a continuing preservation of tambura music for future generations.
	Danny has recently been chosen to serve on the coaching staff of the Boyce Park Community College as instructor in the playing of Plectrum (Pick Playing) stringed instruments.  This is a singular honor to say the least.
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