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"Lustig Ist Das Leben"

The Swingin' Dutchmen have one recording: "Lustig Ist Das Leben" in two listening formats:
CDs for only $17.50 and Tapes for $7.50 which includes shipping. A CD or Tape can be purchased on this website. Download a sample song off the CD here. 

"Lustig Ist Das Leben"

Do you want a CD or Tape?

The Swingin' Dutchmen have one recording: "Lustig Ist Das Leben" in two listening formats:
CDs for only $17.50 (see list below) and Tapes (only 1-14 below) for $7.50 which includes shipping. A CD or Tape can be purchased by emailing us at den.koeh.1951@gmail.com. Download a sample song off the CD here. 

About Us

We are excited you found our website.

For over forty years The Swingin' Dutchmen have entertained polka and waltz lovers all over South Central Texas. The band plays a wide variety of old-time, German, Czech, and Austrian music as well as some big band and old country-western tunes. Der Klein-Steins, a smaller group of musicians, have been entertaining in smaller venues such as restaurants and private parties with music similar to the music of The Swingin' Dutchmen for over 10 years. 


About the Bands

The Swingin’ Dutchmen and Der Klein-Steins

The Swingin’ Dutchmen began in 1965 in San Antonio. The members were all high school students. The band specializes in playing music from Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia which includes Bavarian, Tyrolean, Oberkrainer, and Egerlander music. Through the years, the band has played for many functions in and around South-Central Texas. Some of the places include the Polish American Society, Highland Social Club, Martinez Social Club, Anhalt, SPJST Hall near Floresville, a live three hour performance on KRME radio in Hondo, and many other performances. In recent years, the band has played at Oktoberfest in Fredericksburg, the Bavarian Village in New Braunfels, Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Night in Old San Antonio, The World Presidents Organization Oktoberfest in Houston, many private parties, and other Oktoberfest events throughout the state. 

In 1990, The Swingin’ Dutchmen were filmed by the British Broadcasting Company for part of a documentary on music in Texas called Texas Saturday Night. In 1996 the band recorded a cassette which is included on our CD along with live recordings from other events. In 2006 The Swingin' Dutchmen performed at the Big Joe Polka Fest recording in Round Top, Texas and have been seen on Big Joe's Polka Show. 

Der Klein-Steins, originated in 1989, is a smaller group of musicians who perform music similar to The Swingin’ Dutchmen. Der Klein-Steins performed at Fiesta Texas in San Antonio and at many festivals and restaurants in the South Central Texas area. Some live recordings of this group are included on our CD as a special feature. 

Dennis Koehler, the owner of both bands, has been playing accordion for 50 years. He is a retired Texas band director with a Master of Education Degree in Music. He also plays trumpet. Dennis has played solo accordion performances in several area German restaurants, nursing homes, and private parties. 

We hope you enjoy our music as much as we do!

Dennis Koehler playing the accordion.

About Me

Dennis Koehler, the owner of the bands, plays piano accordion and is available as a solo performer. The Swingin’ Dutchmen, Der Klein-Steins and Dennis are available to perform for all occasions -festivals, weddings, anniversaries, parties, etc. Whatever the performing venue, the program is always entertaining. We look forward to each and every performance. We hope you enjoy our music as much as we enjoy playing for you.