The Seven Dutchmen Orchestra was organized in May 1975. The original members had all played together in the New Braunfels High School Band, and, upon graduation, decided to form a polka band to play at a local tourist spot. Although everyone went off to college at various places, the band kept getting calls to perform, so it soon became a year-round hobby. Although a few faces have changed over the years, all of the current members have been performing for at least 15 years and several have been with the band since the beginning in 1975. The band performs each year at both the Night in Old Fredericksburg and the Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, Texas, at the Deutches Fest in Pflugerville Texas, at the Wurstfest in November in New Braunfels, Texas, and at numerous other festivals, weddings, anniversaries, parties and other events throughout the state. It is estimated that since 1975, the band has performed well over 1000 times, “from Lufkin to Laredo, Del Rio to Dallas, and most cities in between.” In 2006, the band was recorded by “Big Joe” and segments from this recording appear periodically on his show which airs on RFD-TV several times each week. Over the past few years the Seven Dutchmen Orchestra has become equally well-known for its “Big Band Sound”. The songs of Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, and other great Big Band leaders absolutely come alive when performed by this great band. In fact, it is quite common for the group to be hired to play a primarily “polka gig” one weekend and a primarily Big Band job the next. Throw in a few older country songs and a few rock tunes and this band can play just about anything. The band has several recordings. The first two, which were done in the l980s, are now out of print. The album, “Twenty Years of the Seven Dutchmen Orchestra”, recorded in 1995, was voted “Polka Album of the Year” at the Texas Polka Music Awards. These awards were given each year from 1991 to 1998. Other albums include “Back to My Homeland” released in 2000, “Polka Time in Texas” with special guest accordionist Larry Peters, released in 2002, and “Highways and Applesauce” released in 2005. Song Samples: Seven Dutchmen Orchestra--Our Mike Polka Seven Dutchmen Orchestra--A Night in May Waltz For more information about any of the recordings or to book the band, please contact: John or Janet Kaderli e-mail: jkaderli@satx.rr.com or regular mail: Seven Dutchmen, Inc. P.O. Box 310944, New Braunfels, Texas 78131 Home phone: (830) 629-3759 (please leave a message if we’re not home)