This Labor Day weekend, a Storm Lake musician is getting recognized, proving that music isn’t just a career; it’s a calling.
Mick Polich, longtime guitarist, bassist, and music educator, is being inducted into the Iowa Rock ’n Roll Music Association’s Hall of Fame Class of 2025 alongside his former band, Gladys Kravitz.
Founded in Des Moines in the early 1990s, Gladys Kravitz was a quirky acoustic-electric ensemble named after the nosy neighbor in “Bewitched”—a name Polich himself chose.
Even after Polich left Des Moines in 1994, the band kept going thanks to his friend and co-founder Wade Krieg. With frequent gigs in and around Des Moines, the band expanded into a six-piece cover ensemble in 2016 and is now affectionately known as the “Sons.”
Decades after his involvement with the band, Polich is humbled by the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame honor.
After Polich left Des Moines in 1994, he continued his musical journey across the country, coming to Storm Lake in 2010. He continues to perform locally with his wife, MaryBeth Andrews, in their duo Ball and Chain, blending roots rock, blues, and country. He’s also spent years teaching music and repairing musical instruments—always expanding his skillset.
The induction ceremony will be held Sunday, Aug. 31, at the Roof Garden Ballroom in Arnolds Park, with rehearsals and performances featuring various band members from throughout the years.
More details on the Iowa Rock ’n Roll Music Association’s Hall of Fame Induction Spectacular weekend, including schedule and ticket information, can be found at iowarocknroll.com or facebook.com/IowaRockNRollMusicAssociation.
For Polich, the recognition is not just a validation or even a career milestone—it’s a celebration of lifelong perseverance, creativity, and grit.
