(5:00pm – 6:00pm CT)
New show airs every 2 weeks.
Emma Bogdon comes from a long line of polka musicians. Both of her grandfathers, Jim Bogdon and Bernard Koslosky Sr., played instruments and stressed the importance of playing music to their children and, thereby, instilling a love of many types of music. Jim had his own band in the ’60s called the Jim Bogdon Orchestra and, over the years, played with Matt Wasielewski and the Polka Jets, 1975-77 & 1987-91. At the age of 11 Emma’s father, Chris Bogdon, started his first polka band, the Polka Bees, along with his brother Erik Bogdon and cousins, RJ & Brandon Bogdon. From there he went on to also join Matt Wasielewski and the Polka Jets. In 1990 he became a member of Bernie and Randy Koslosky’s band, Energy which is where he met and later married Emma’s mom, Sandy Koslosky. He also played with Frank Borzymowski’s Rhythm & Sounds, John Steven’s Doubleshot, Li’l John & the ATM Band, Henny & the Versa J’s, and most recently, Polka Country Musicians. He has participated in over 15 recordings.
Emma recently graduated from Duquesne University where she studied Marketing and Information Systems. She currently works for a marketing agency as a Marketing Analyst. When Emma is not involved with polkas, she spends her time riding horses, volunteering at her church as a member of the Youth Group Committee, and is a proud member of Alpha Omicron Pi.
Emma is always trying to find ways to give back to polka music. She was proud to represent the United States Polka Association as their Princess in 2017-18 and as Teen Queen in 2018-19. After the pageant’s two-year hiatus, she and her cousins are working to bring back the Pageant to the United States Polka Association. Emma also is currently a Director of Pennsylvania for the International Polka Association.
Emma is also a proud Girl Scout Gold Award recipient, which is the highest award a Girl Scout can achieve. For her project, Emma became an IJ for the Polka Jammer and created her show, The Polka Lovin’ Girl Show, with her goal being to promote polka music to the youth. Her show airs every other Monday night from 6-7 PM EST.