The Abington Journal, Clarks Summit, PA -
February 24 thru March 2, 1999

Music Runs Through Their Veins

by Kelly McDonough

Meet a Dalton man whose passion and fire for music has carried him through a career that spans more than three decades and during his 48 years, Jerry Hludzik of Dalton has seen his songs make the top 13 and top 100 on the U.S. charts.

He has performed at Madison Square Garden in New York City, opening for sold out Queen concerts. In those days, he recalled performing for 20,000 people a night. He said the lifestyle back then was pure rock-n-roll, and everything ever written about it.

But Hludzik managed to keep his head on straight and used that time in his life to develop his talents, which include an untrained ear for music, a natural ability to write stirring lyrics, and a voice, which has never had any formal training.

Listening to any of his music, from vintage Dakota tracks to the sound of The Buoys to his band’s newer songs, it’s hard to believe this man has never taken one voice lesson, one guitar lesson, or one writing lesson in his life. His career and his talent are proof there is such a thing as natural God-given abilities. His just happen to be music, and his 20-year old son, Eli, is following in his footsteps.

Currently attending college, Eli once hung out with his father’s band backstage while Queen played to thousands of screaming fans. From Eli’s days of “hanging out in his diapers” with Dakota, he’s evolved into quite a musician. Hludzik said Eli has a natural ability for playing the drums, and he ought to know. He has worked with some of the best drummers in the business, and he isn’t shy in discussing his son’s gift for music. Hludzik claims, hands down, Eli’s the best drummer he’s ever worked with. And, he said other professional musicians agree with his assessment. “Eli has been playing with guys who have been doing this for 20-some years, and the experience he’s gotten already, and will get, he couldn’t pay for in five lifetimes.”

Hludzik’s other credits include having written tracks for The Oak Ridge Boys and coming close to closing a deal with country music star Garth Brooks.

“Things happen for a reason,” he said. “Things happen to get you to the next level, the next little victory.” But, he’s also quick to concede, “Maybe, it’s not about me anymore – it might be about my son.”

These days, it seems to be more about father and son. The two musical talents are taking their music to the foreign market. Some older Dakota tracks are seeing success in Europe and Japan. Hludzik said the foreign market right now is ripe for techno-80’s material. And, the newer Dakota is putting the finishing touches on an album both father and son hope will make it big on the European scene.

Hludzik talks a lot about timing. He reminisces how back in the 80’s, Dakota was just a bit shy of becoming a household name in America. With his new drummer, a vintage Dakota sound with a fresher touch and more powerful lyrics, the band may see round two. This time with a toddler out of diapers, and in the drummer’s chair.

Hludzik shakes his head every time he thinks about ho his son has grown up to be his drummer. He says he never pushed him into music and both enjoy working together. There’s a special bonding that keeps them humming along in a whole new decade.

He also speaks with the insight of a man who has traveled a long road. Not only has he managed to keep a roof over his family’s head and food on the table during the lean years, he’s managed to always do so by using his musical talents. When not in the studio or on the road, Hludzik always managed to get local gigs.

“The stuff on the new album is songs I couldn’t have written 20 years ago because I didn’t go through those doors. I feel now I have something to say. And, I’m fortunate enough to have an opportunity to say it through my songs and records.” Yet, he admits his passion for what he does still drives him.

”I never thought I would have been sitting here years later with my 20-year old son and 18-year old daughter and still be doing what I’m doing. And, still have as much focus and passion for this as I do now. I probably have even more now,” he said.

Recently he produced a CD for the Pittston-based band, Mere Mortals. Now, he just hopes for the “big break.”

Until then, he’ll continue writing music. Hludzik talks a great deal about writing, and how unpredictable it can be when inspiration hits. He remembers how one of Dakota’s hits, If It Takes All Night, needed another verse. “I still have the brown paper bag I wrote on while driving my car. In fact, I finished it as a stop sign,” he said. “I needed lyrics desperately. That’s the way I did it, and I never looked back.”

The rest is history. The song went on to be a hit among the band’s fans. And a cheering crowd of 15,000 proved it when the original band disbanded with a final performance at Montage Stadium in the late 80’s.

But, that’s all history. It’s the future to which Hludzik and Eli look forward, especially since Hludzik’s recent brush with death.

“This past January 2, I could have been killed,” he said. As a result of a car accident, Hludzik finally completed a song he started a while back. It was his way of asking God to give him a second chance.

He recites the lyrics which will appear on the new Dakota CD. “I’m not ready to go, ‘cause I’ve got things to do, places to see, people who depend on me. I need more time. So, can you pull me through. Please accept my I.O.U.”

It looks like somebody upstairs has accepted Hludzik’s I.O.U. and has given him a chance to do what he loves best, with someone he loves best and even more opportunities to share his special gifts with everyone.