Wally Yanchycki  

October 9, 1936 - Oct 20, 2021

Violin, Rhythm Guitar, Steel Guitar, Vocals

Wally was born on October 9, 1936. He became interested in playing music at a very young age and trapped muskrats to raise money to purchase his first violin. He didn’t have enough money to pay for the bow so his parents purchased the bow for him.

At age 15, Wally started playing dances and weddings, where he played rhythm and steel guitar with the "Sunset Valley Boys" along with Mike Chwaluk, Joe Rozdeba, Alex Tokaryk and Ed Sheeska. While attending Teachers’ College in Winnipeg, he entertained regularly at the campus canteen and also played on the CJOB Western Hour, where he was voted winner of the “King of the Saddle”. 

Wally also played steel and rhythm guitar and sang with the "CKX Rhythm Ranch Boys", along with Ernie Antonation, Nester Tuktaluk, Ernie Dmyterko, and Stan Kaskiw (later replaced by Jack Zahodnik), where they broadcast a weekly half hour show every Saturday on CKX Brandon. At the Brandon Provincial Exhibition, the band played two shows daily, also broadcast over CKX. Starting in 1962 until the mid 70’s Wally played rhythm and steel guitar, and sang with Peter Lamb and the "CKDM Sundown Pals", featured weekly over CKDM Dauphin. This band, which over the years included musicians Peter Lamb, Harry Lamb, Peter Lamb Jr., Pat Krupa (Peter’s daughter), Joe Rozdeba, Ed Sheeska, and Wally, along with vocals by May Chwaluk and Patsy Zubrack, recorded four albums and toured the three western provinces with stage shows and dances.

From the mid 70’s until 1984 Wally played guitar and sang with "The Serenaders", along with Billy Kuz, Alex Tokaryk, and Joe Rozdeba.

From 1984 to 1991 he joined sons, Dennis and Rick, and Bob Rozdeba (Joe’s son), in a band called "Sidewinder", where he played fiddle, rhythm guitar, and sang.

In 1991 Wally and Julian Warwaruk formed the band "Parkland Country", where he also played fiddle, guitar, and sang. "Parkland Country", consisting of Wally, Julian Warwaruk, Phil Wilk, and John Spaller, played many dances, weddings, and Care Homes. This band, joined by sons Dennis & Rick for the event, also played at the Zabava on the Red River Exhibition Grounds in Winnipeg.

Wally and his wife, Frances, played and sang on different tours throughout western Canada. They also made guest appearances singing on TV in Brandon and Yorkton. Some memorable times in Wally’s music career was playing on special occasions with renown recording artists namely, Johnny Mooring from the Maritimes, Victor Pasowisty from Toronto, Jimmy Watsco from Alberta, and Al Cherney from the TV show Country Hoedown from Toronto. Also, he jammed with bands from Nashville and other areas while vacationing and touring in the United States.

On May 29, 2010 Wally was honored by U.M.A. with the Legendary Achievement Award, and a Certificate of Recognition. On August 2, 2015 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and on August 6, 2023 was inducted into the U.M.A. Hall of Fame. 

Wally was also very well-known at weddings for the song he wrote “Married We Are One”, which was usually requested for the newlywed’s first dance.

Along with playing regularly with his band, Wally also filled in with many other bands - "The Interlake Polka Kings" and "Polka Drifters" from Winnipeg, "The Russell Orchestra", "B&B Ranch Boys", "Trail Riders", "Four Seasons", "No Man’s Land" (son Rick’s band) and others in the local area.

Wally Yanchycki Biography   

The Ukrainian Musicians Association is proud to induct Wally Yanchycki into the Ukrainian Musicians Hall of Fame.   Wally was interested in becoming a musician at a very young age. He trapped muskrats to raise money to purchase his first violin. He didn’t have enough money to pay for the bow, so his parents purchased the bow for him.  At age 15, Wally started playing dances and weddings, where he played rhythm and steel guitar with “The Sunset Valley Boys”, along with Mike Chwaluk, Joe Rozdeba, Alex Tokaryk and Ed Sheeshka. While attending Teacher’s College in Winnipeg, he entertained regularly at the campus canteen and also played on the CJOB Western Hour, where he was voted winner of the “King of the Saddle.” Wally also played steel and rhythm guitar and sang with the CKX Rhythm Ranch Boys, along with Ernie Antonation, Nester Tuktaluk, Ernie Dmyterko, and Stan Kaskiw (later replaced by Jack Zahodnik), where they broadcast a weekly half hour show every Saturday on CKX. Starting in 1962 until the mid 70’s, Wally played rhythm and steel guitar, and sang with Peter Lamb and the CKDM Sundown Pals, featured weekly over CKDM  Dauphin. This band, which over the years included musicians Peter Lamb, Harry Lamb, Peter Lamb JR, Pat Krupa (Peter’s daughter), Joe Rozdeba, Ed Sheeshka, and Wally, along with vocals by Mae Chwaluk and Patsy Zurbrack, recorded four albums and toured the three western provinces with stage shows and dances.      From the mid 70’s until 1984 Wally played guitar and sang with “The Serenaders,” along with Billy Kuz, Alex Tokaryk, and Joe Rozdeba. From 1984 to 1991 he joined sons, Dennis and Rick and Bob Rozdeba (Joe’s son), in a band called Sidewinder, where he played fiddle, rhythm guitar, and sang. In 1991 Wally and Julian Warwaruk formed the band “Parkland Country,” where he also played fiddle, guitar, and sang. “Parkland Country,” consisting of Wally and Julian Warwaruk, Phil Wilk, and John Spaller, played many dances, weddings, and Care Homes. This band, joined by sons Dennis and Rick for the event, also played at the Zabava on the Red River Exhibition Grounds in Winnipeg.   Wally and his wife, Frances, played and sang on different tours throughout western Canada. They also made guest appearances singing on TV in Brandon and Yorkton. Some memorable times in Wally’s music career was playing on special occasions with renown recording artists namely, Johnny Mooring from the Maritimes, Victor Pasowisty from Toronto, Jimmy Watsko from Alberta, and Al Cherny from the TV show “Country Hoedown” from Toronto. Also, he jammed with bands from Nashville and other areas while vacationing and touring in the United States.  On May 29, 2010 Wally was honored by UMA with the Legendary Achievement Award, and a Certificate of Recognition. On August 2, 2015 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and on August 6, 2023 was inducted into the UMA Hall of Fame. Wally was also very well known at weddings for the song he wrote “Married We Are One”, which was usually requested for the first dance. Much of the musicians’ memorabilia is presently displayed at the Rhodes Hall Museum located on the Selo Grounds in Dauphin. Along with playing regularly with his band, Wally also filled in with many other bands such as: “The Interlake Polka Kings” and “The Polka Drifters” from Winnipeg, “The Russell Orchestra”, “B and B Ranch Boys”, “The Trail Riders”,  “The Four Seasons”, “No Man’s Land” (son Rick’s band) and others in the local area.   Wally Yanchycki….a true pioneer of Ukrainian music…. Vichnya Pamyat!