Dennis Hylok
Hall of Fame – 2025
Dennis Hylok was born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, the middle of three children. As a young child, he would attend dances with his parents and siblings and always spend time watching the bands’ concertina player. His parents always knew where to find him even in a packed dance hall; right up in front of the stage watching musicians like Mike Ryba, Alvin Styczynski, and his uncle, Louis Hylok.
When he was 10 years old, his parents signed him up for chemnitzer concertina music lessons from Art Wielgus. By age 12, he and his brother Rick had formed a band and played their first engagement; a wedding at The Cue Ball in Pulaski, Wisconsin. A year later, Tom Ryba joined the group on drums. They called themselves The Polka Kids. They later transitioned to The Polka Teens and then to The Polka Forces. They performed at popular Green Bay area venues, such as Wick’s Bar, The Stop Inn, and The Family Inn. He honed his style based on his concertina idols, Jerry Darlak and Dave Morris, and popular bands like the Versatones and Happy Richie.
As a young man, Dennis joined Mark Selle’s Polka Playboys, a six-piece group. It was a great learning experience and they played throughout Wisconsin. He recorded his first album with the Polka Playboys coming up with the songs as they drove to the studio!
In 1984, Dennis joined Gene Hackett, Dave Fritz, Bruce Fritz, and Jim Miller to form The PolkaTown Sounds. He played with the group for 14 years and was proud to have been the band’s featured concertina musician, performing in thirteen different states, the United States Polka Association and International Polka Association Conventions, and Erie Polka Days. Dennis also played on the Polka Variety TV show in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and the Big Joe Polka Show in Nebraska.
Dennis continues to demonstrate his professionalism and dedication to the advancement of the chemnitzer concertina as he performs with the NuTymes. His outstanding musical talent is an inspiration to many aspiring concertina musicians throughout the Upper Midwest.