Rudolph Cernkovich was born on November 8, 1889, in Gorski Kotar, Croatia, as the eldest of eleven children. Following the completion of his elementary education, his parents intended for him to pursue a career as either a priest or a photographer. At the age of 15, he encountered an uncle who played the tambura and led his own family orchestra. This uncle gifted Rudolph a tambura, igniting his passion for the instrument, which he quickly learned to play.

In pursuit of opportunity, Cernkovich emigrated to America at the age of 16, settling in Pittsburgh. His initial plan was to stay for only three years, earn a substantial amount of money, and return to his homeland. During his time in Pittsburgh, he joined several bands, performing at dances, weddings, picnics, and private parties. His involvement in music expanded as he began teaching various orchestras and arranging simple musical pieces. When the conductor of his singing society resigned, the members encouraged him to take on the role of choir director, which led to his teaching tamburitza, orchestras, and other singing groups while arranging music for both.

After spending five years with the renowned concert touring tamburitza orchestra "Zvonimir," Cernkovich married Anna Ivanusich and they relocated to Chicago. In Chicago, he established a tambura manufacturing business and continued his work as a music arranger. His instrument-making and arrangements were met with considerable acclaim.

However, the demands of instrument manufacturing and music publishing took a toll on his health. Doctors advised him to reduce his workload, prompting him to sell his shop to a cousin and focus exclusively on music arrangement and publication, a field that was experiencing increasing demand. After 23 years of longing to return to Croatia, he and his wife spent five months in Yugoslavia.

Upon their return, Cernkovich faced a period of deep depression amidst challenging times. He moved to Bradley, Michigan, where he purchased a home that allowed him to continue servicing his music clients across the country via mail. The onset of World War II led to the disbandment of orchestras, complicating his efforts to arrange and print music for a dwindling audience amid rising costs. Recognizing the futility of this endeavor, he decided to sell his home and pursue a different career. Following a thorough evaluation by the Civil Service Commission, he was appointed Postmaster of Bradley, Michigan, while still dedicating his free time to music publishing.

Throughout his career, Cernkovich arranged over 1,000 songs, encompassing his original melodies, the works of other composers, and traditional folk tunes from his childhood. His wife played an integral role in this process, supporting him through challenges and providing inspiration. The themes of his lyrics often reflect a sentimental and romantic nature, perhaps stemming from his early separation from family. Cernkovich acknowledged that while a different career might have yielded greater financial gain, his work in music forged friendships within native communities across various countries, a value he cherished deeply.