The Honky Express was officially born in summer 2005 when leader Jody Maddie & drummer Donnie Sokup decided
to form their own band, following their departure from Tower City Drive. Shortly thereafter, Jody found concertina player
Troy Gawlak after seeing Troy sit in with another area band and asked him if he was interested in joining. A couple months
later, those three met up for their first practice and The Honky Express was born! Their first public performance being in
Cleveland the following March 2006 to a packed crowd.
We have since been joined by the Ohio Polka Legend himself, Charlie Tansek. The most fun-loving bass
player this side of The Cuyahoga, Gary Smith. And the fabulous musicianship of Greg Zuder.
The basis for the name of The Honky Express was decided immediately... we would play mostly traditional honky/dyno
style polkas, with a little bit of a drive to them. Hence the "Express".
