Bob Krivohlavek

Bob Krivohlavek was born on May 13th, 1922 in Schuyler, Nebraska. At an early age, Bob got his first instrument.

Bob started playing in 1937 when he joined the American Legion Junior Band while was in junior high school. Ralph Peer was the instructor for the beginners. After two years, Bob was asked to play on the Kucera Bros. accordion orchestra (Frank and Beanie).

$3 was the top pay which wasn’t every job. Sometimes he’d go and only get a quarter, fifty cents, and sometimes a cup of coffee and a hamburger.

Bob’s future father-in-law, Bill Sobolik, was the drummer on the band. One night at Wilson Hall, north of Schuyler, Bob saw a little girl asleep in the bass drum case. Her name was Betty Sobolik and who would have thought he would marry that little girl. Bob and Betty were married on August 13th, 1947. He says she was an ideal musician’s wife because she grew up with the music business and understood what it takes to put up with the likes of a musician. Bob says they had many plans disrupted because of dance jobs.

Bob played with the Kucera Bros. band until 1942 when he went to the Marine Band until he was transferred to the Bugler School. While at camp Miramar in California, Bob was asked to join the Bob Crosby Band, who was starting up again. But due to his commitments (in the service), he had to refuse because he couldn’t make the rehearsals.

After Bob was discharged from the Marine Corp, he played with a lot of bands. He was with Kay Willis until he died. Others were:

He also worked with Fezz Fritsche one night in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

He has also played in many other states:

  • Minnesota
  • Wisconsin
  • Ohio
  • New York
  • Michigan
  • South Dakota
  • Kansas
  • Oklahoma
  • Texas

He also played in Esterhazy, Saskatchewan, Canada, three years in a row. This man has been around.

Source: Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony