Bernard Lawrence Stanislav was born June 9, 1926 in Abie, Nebraska to Frank Stanislav and Mary Meduna Stanislav. The family lived in the Nimburg area right between the bigger towns of Abie and Linwood.
Bernie attended Nimburg School District #38 and Schuyler High School graduating with the class of 1944.
His dad had been an accomplished musician who played clarinet and violin and was a member of the 355th Army Band during the first World War. Frank passed his love of music on to his son Bernie. It is assumed that Frank started Bernie on trumpet in the early years. We don’t know for sure when; but, his family has a picture of him playing with the Abie town from 1934 when Bernie was only eight years old. It should be noted that the Abie town band directed by Wilfred Semrad produced a number of polka hall of famers including Leonard Vidlak, Joe Prochaska, Cliff Koutnik, Milo Palensky, and now Bernie Stanislav.
As the story goes, one day Bernie was practicing his trumpet in the farmyard when a bull in the cattle herd began answering back. Thus, proving that music is definitely the universal language.
In 1944, Ernie Kucera had his brother-in-law Ed Hovorka playing trumpet with his band. When he was called to service in World War II, Ernie needed to find a trumpet player and called his neighbor from just a mile away Bernie Stanislav to play second trumpet next to Leonard Vidlak. The two – Len and Bernie – would play with Ernie Kucera for most of the time over the next fifty years. Len’s and Bernie’s crisp trumpet work and beautiful Czech vocals gave Ernie’s band its distinctive sound that delighted Czech music lovers all over the country. Besides trumpet and vocals, Bernie also played clarinet and alto sax as required by the demanding second trumpet part in Ernie’s book.
Bernie also spent time playing with Vernon Belik’s band and filling in with other bands on occasion.
In 1950, Bernie married Sally Jisa from Ulysses. They lived and farmed near Abie. Together they had five children: Larry, Lynn, Kaye, Ken, and Eileen. They were grandparents of four and great-grandparents of two.
Bernie passed away July 15, 2002 at the age of 76.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Ernie Kucera’s band, Bernie made some comments on behalf of the band noting that “We do this because we love Czech music.” This passion was really apparent in the great musical work that Bernie did over the years.
We’re very happy that Stanislav family has joined us here today. Bernie’s grandson Justin is here to accept the hall of fame award on his behalf.