1994
Just
before their Jubilee concert at the Cankar home in Ljubljana on
June 4, the ensemble went on a short tour to Germany and Sweden.
The main celebration for the 30th anniversary of the ensemble
took place at the huge Gallus concert hall, where two concerts
were completely sold out. To commemorate their many years of performances
and entertainment, they released a double CD / cassette entitled
"Diamantnih 30" (30 Diamond Hits), which became an immediate
sales hit as well. The Helidon recording studios presented the
Slak ensemble with a Diamond record, for sales of over three million
albums. He was declared King of the Polka, and was also presented
with the Diamond Nightingale award.
Of course, Lojze added another installment to his concert series
"Boš videl, kaj dela Dolenc", this time under the name
of "Na Martinovo", loosely translated as "In Martin's
honor".
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1995
Another album was released, entitled Cebelar (The bee keeper),
with the title song becoming a great hit. The ensemble was presented
with the Diamond Nightingale award again at a ceremony in Domžale.
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1996
The Lojze Slak Ensemble released another album, entitled "Ko
zaslišim znano melodijo" (When I hear the familiar tune).
At the Zlati Petelin (Golden Rooster) festivities, they were rewarded
three times for the success of their album Cebelar.
In Novo Mesto, they once again held two more of the shows "Boš
videl, kaj dela Dolenc", under the themes of "Jožefovo"
(Celebrating Joseph) and "Božicni Vecer" (Christmas
Eve). From the second concert, they produced a video, also entitled
"Božicni Vecer".
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1997
A new album was released, entitled "Vencki Slakovih Uspešnic,
on both CD and cassette. In Dolenska, two more shows of the "Boš
videl, kaj dela Dolenc" variety were performed, this time
entitled "Med Lovci" (Among the hunters) and "Silvestrovo"
(New Years Celebration). Again, another video was produced and
released under the same theme. At the concert in Dolenska, featured
artist Victor Jackovich from the USA made an appearance and even
picked up the accordion and played a tune.
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1998
The next album to be released was entitled "Najlepša beseda
je mama" (Mom is the most beautiful word), with the words
for the title song written by the popular Slovenian poet Tone
Pavcek. Even the concert series "Boš videl, kaj dela Dolenc"
was dedicated to the theme of mom, with the same title "Najlepša
beseda je mama". The second concert of the series was entitled
"Lickanje" (Husking, as in husking corn). Videos were
produced for both concerts, under the titles "Mama"
and "Na lickanju". That year, Lojze was bestowed with
another honor - he was named Honorary Slovenian of 1998!
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1999
The album "Letu 2000" (Year 2000) was released. The
now familiar concert series was once again performed, this time
under the theme of "Rudolfovo 2000" (Rudolph's 2000).
A gala concert was held in the concert hall in Tivoli, commemorating
35 years of performances of the ensemble. A video documenting
the event was also released, entitled "35 Let Ansambla Lojzeta
Slaka" (35 years of Lojze Slak).
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2000
In Celje, there was a show entitled "Najlepša viža stoletja"
(Nicest songs of the century), and the silver went to the Slak
song "V dolini tihi" (In the quiet valley). The show
"Boš videl, kaj dela Dolenc", this time held in Novo
Mesto again, was held under the theme of "Med Gasilci"
(Among the firemen). The firefighters association of Slovenia
presented the Slak ensemble their second special gold recognition
award.
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2001
Lojze Slak was presented with a lifetime achievement award from
the state of Ohio in the USA, and a special recognition for the
hit song "Ej Prijatelj" (Hey Buddy), which was a favorite
for the people of Ohio. This was also the year that long time
guitarist and composer Niko Zlobko returned to the ensemble. Milan
Ferlež retired from the group. The ensemble also made appearances
on Karl Moick's show Musikantenstadl in Switzerland.
Lojze became a knight in the European Knights of Wine organization,
and an honorary member in the town of Mirna Peč.
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2002
The Lojze Slak Ensemble released another album, entitled "Spomini
stare Ljubljane" (Memories of Old Ljubljana). The concert
series "Boš videl, kaj dela Dolenc" was performed
with the theme of "Za Abrahama" (For Abraham). A video
was also released under the same title. The ensemble went on
an all Slovenia tour, commemorating the 40th anniversary of
Nedelski dnevnik, (Sunday Diary). There was also a special concert,
held in Novo Mesto, to honour Lojze Slak on his 70th birthday.
Over 5000 people jammed the Portal stadium, and Nedelski dnevnik
presented Lojze with a special recognition and the title "Dolenski
Slavcek" (Nightingale of Dolenska). The city of Novo Mesto
presented Lojze with another special recognition for his work
and influence on the growth of Slovenian folk music.
Another record was released, "Slak, z najlepšimi vižami
med violine" (Slak, with his most beautiful songs among
violins), which features many of Slaks greatest hits accompanied
by a full string orchestra.
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2003
The program Slovenski slavcek (Slovenian Nightingale) in Domžala,
presented Slak with the title "Godec vseh godcev". Godec
is a slovenian word for a musical entertainer, and he was in effect
declared the Godec of all godcev (of all entertainers).
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2004
The book, "En godec nam gode", a commemorative song
book containing many of Slak's songs was published and released.
Another CD and cassette was released, entitled "Jubilejna"
(For the jubilee). The jubilee celebration commemorating the 40th
year of Slak was once again held in the Tivoli hall in Ljubljana,
and featured the following guests: Trebanjska Godba, Godalni orkester,
Cuki, Igor in Zlati Zvoki, Slapovi, Nuša Derenda, and Greg Avsenik.
Organizers of the event were: Jure Ivanušic and Mojca Simoncic.
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