The Happy Travelers are the new kids on the block in the New Braunfels Polka Band Leaders, Inc. We are by no means “new” considering that we have between the four members a total of some 80+ years of playing music. The group consists of Rennie Guenther, his wife Sandra, and Bob Blang and his wife Jewell. Rennie and Bob, along with their respective spouses, have had a friendship since the mid 50s in New Braunfels High School. Rennie, Bob and Jewell were in the Unicorn Band together. Rennie played the tuba and electric bass. Bob played the bass drum, and Jewell played clarinet and bells. Sandra did not play in the band but took clarinet lessons. Sandra was also an award-winning vocalist in high school chorus. Rennie and Bob have played together for over 40 years in various bands ranging from Big Band, Country and Western, to Polka Music. Rennie played with the Lee Kohlenberg Orchestra in high school, the 36th Division National Guard Band, the Pfeil Brother’s Band, The Blue Riders, The Shrine Drum and Bugle Corp, The Shrine Band (Concert, Big Band, Dixie-Land Dandies, and The Pretzel Benders), The Seven Dutchmen, Oma and the Oompahs and The Bavarian Village Band. Bob played in a number of jazz bands on the California Coast while in the Navy, The Rhythm Riders, The Pfeil Brother’s, The Cloverleaf Orchestra, The Seven Dutchmen, Oma and the Oompahs, and The Bavarian Village Band. Jewell played keyboard with The Bavarian Village Band, and she and Bob have entertained at their church and at nursing homes over the years. Sandra sang with The Bavarian Village Band. When the band broke up that Rennie, Sandra, Bob and Jewell were playing in, Rennie asked Bob and Jewell to join in with him and Sandra to form a NEW group, and they agreed. The new group is called Rennie Guenther & “The Happy Travelers.” We have played from the Texas Valley, where we backed Myron Floren, to Ft. Smith Arkansas, as well as all across Texas. We have made some changes in the group. Bob is now playing accordion after playing drums for most of his life. He played the accordion when he was nine years old, then put it up until recent years. His wife, Jewell, is on the keyboard. Rennie plays tuba, electric bass, guitar and accordion, as well as singing and yodeling. Rennie is the only one of the Polka Band Leaders of New Braunfels that yodels. The newest musician in the group is Sandra, who, along with her vocal ability, has taken up the drums. She started playing drums after she got a set for Mother’s Day. Song Samples: Rennie & the Happy Travelers--Red and White Waltz Rennie & the Happy Travelers--Westphalia Waltz For more information contact Rennie Guenther Polka Band Leaders of New Braunfels Attn: Rennie Guenther 390 N. Veramendi New Braunfels, Texas 78130 Or telephone 830-625-5709