The Avsenik Brothers Ensemble is probably the most successful Slovenian music group in the world. It operated from 1953 to 1990. The group was initially a trio, which soon grew into a quartet and in 1955 into the Gorenjska Quintet, which was renamed the Avsenik Brothers Quintet. During the operation, they released about 120 records and cassettes in a total circulation of more than 30 million copies. In total, they have about 670 songs.
The ensemble was also popular in Austria, Germany and elsewhere in Europe. In the German-speaking area, it was known as the Oberkrainer Quintett, but when several other Slovenian national-entertainment groups presented themselves in this field, the Original Oberkrainer. The core of the group was represented by Slavko Avsenik, who wrote the music, and his brother Vilko Ovsenik, who prepared arrangements for the ensemble. Slavko played the accordion, and Vilko was a clarinetist in the first years of the ensemble's operation.
They recorded abroad for Telefunken / Teldec (the first small record was released in 1955, large in 1957), and at home mainly for Jugoton (the first four small records in 1957, large in 1959) and later Helidon. In addition to the accordionist and clarinetist, the group also had a guitarist, trumpet player and baritone, as well as two singers. The composition changed over time.
Clubs of their fans have been established abroad since 1962, numbering a total of 150 by 1989. They have received several foreign awards for their contribution to the development of popular music and for originality, as well as 31 gold records, 1 diamond and 1 platinum.
It is believed that Avseniki were the pioneers of a new genre of folk music in Central Europe and their quality in this area is indisputable. Among their greatest successes are the songs Na Golici, Na mostu, Tam gdje murke cveto, Slovenija, od kod lepote tvoje, Only once are you fifty years old. About 70 lyrics were written for the ensemble by Ivan Sivec.
In 2015, the Irish dance group Riverdance, with their dance point to the sounds of Golica, was a guest on the show "Feste der Volksmusik" on German television
In 2011, Justin Bieber guest starred with Stefan Raab on the German talk show TV Total. Bieber and Raab competed in a duel of drumming skills to the sounds of Golica
To be honest, I have not heard about those people before. But, it is not too late, I will listen to some their songs now.