Paul Kramas
Hall of Fame – 2003
Paul Kramas (1919-2011) of Greenwood, Wisconsin started learning the concertina at the age of eight and played his first dance at the age of twelve. He was self-taught and played the concertina for over 75 years. Paul recorded five cassette tapes and has played with the Whoopee John Orchestra.
In his younger days, Paul rode the bus to work in Milwaukee and would play his concertina on the bus if he had an engagement that night. Paul sold concertinas and made repairs. He was an accomplished musician and performed as the lead member of numerous local polka bands. He wrote many of his own songs and performed before thousands of people over the course of his 85-year career.
Paul often appeared at Art’s Concertina Bar in Milwaukee and Mayslack’s in Minneapolis. Most of his musical career was in the Eau Claire, Chippewa Falls area. Paul was a member of the Central Wisconsin Concertina Club.