The Franz Klaber Orchestra is Hamilton, Ohio’s oldest band. Although the FKO is a popular band at Oktoberfests and other German functions, the band has never been strictly German in nature. The original Franz Klaber Orchestra was founded in 1930 and led by Franz Klaber, a German immigrant from the Saxony region of Germany, who taught himself to play stringed instruments even before he had an instrument. He used to fasten a string to a windowsill and pluck out tunes!  He taught himself to play mandolin and violin, and later, the saxophone.

The first version of the Franz Klaber Orchestra consisted of a five piece band of fellow German-Americans that played a lot of German folk songs at gatherings and festivals of the Deutscher Hausverein, the local German Society. Franz Sr.’s vision was a band that mixed popular music with traditional German songs. Franz’s daughter Mary Ann sang in the band, and Bill and Franz Klaber, Jr. both joined the band while they were in junior high school. At the age of 24, Franz took over the band when his father died in 1963 (and played a gig the very next day after Franz Sr.’s untimely death).

Franz Jr. took his father’s musical passion and built upon it; leaving his own indelible mark by expanding the band, its repertoire, and instilling an enthusiasm and showmanship that is truly unique. Under his leadership, the band affectionately became known as the Klaberheads. It’s a name that is used for the band as well as the fans!  In 2006 he suffered a stroke and, through his unbelievable determination and courage, was able to make a comeback and resume performing with the band. Through therapy he was able to recover from his paralysis and regain his speech and the ability to walk. He even regained the ability to play his trombone and sing!  While he was recovering, he turned over the group to his daughter, Erika Klaber.

Erika has continued with her father and grandfather’s vision, and has put her own imprint on the group as well. At her father’s urging, she began to play her steel drum in the band. No one could have imagined how well this beautiful instrument would blend with German music!  With a Masters degree in Music Education and Ethnomusicology, Erika has been able to expand the musical repertoire, even adding some original music to the line-up. The fourth generation of Klabers are making their mark as well. Erika’s daughter, Emily Muench, performs regularly with the band, and several of Franz’s and Bill’s children and grandchildren have been apprentice and active members.

The Klaberheads have not only kept a family tradition alive, but have helped keep German Heritage alive musically in Southwest Ohio, as well. Because of the foundation Franz Sr. laid down, and Franz Jr. helped build upon, the Klaberheads have expanded their operating territory and have performed at Disney’s Epcot Center, Yuenglings Oktoberfest in Bethlehem, PA.,  Oktoberfests in Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Indianapolis, Lexington, Minster, Maysville, Owensboro,  and most recently, the Wurstfest in New Braunfels, Texas.

In August, September, and October, you will find the Klaberheads at your nearest Oktoberfest beer tent, leading the charge in fun. But the rest of the year, the band takes on a completely different musical appearance and make up. The Klaberheads perform at all types of venues from conventions, summer concert series, and dances. They even host their own New Year’s Eve dance – a popular event in Hamilton that draws a sell-out crowd. From crowd participation numbers to the horn driven tunes of Chicago and Michael Buble, from Big Band to rock ’n roll, the Klaberheads are accomplished musical entertainers that bring a high-energy connection to the audience. Versatility is what makes this talented group of musicians the band that’s in demand. The Klaberheads are the band for ALL SEASONS!

Mollie & Ted are the first and only husband and wife to be both inducted into the International Polka Association Hall of Fame. They also host one of the only two polka shows on Sirius XM. And since March of 2020, their YouTube popularity has grown due to their weekly Tuesday night show.

Mollie is the host of the popular “Mollie B Polka Party” on RFD-TV, which is currently broadcast into over 48 million households via DISH Network, Direct TV, and over 600 independent cable systems. Also, Mollie B has been named Female Vocalist of the Year by the United States Polka Association and the International Polka Association multiple times. The popular “Mollie B Christmas Special” has received rave reviews and received many awards. Squeezebox has to date released four highly regarded recordings that have garnered “Best Of” awards from various organizations and Squeezebox has been named one of the top 5 performing polka bands in the nation several times by the “247PolkaHeaven.com People’s Choice Awards.”

In addition to being featured many times on the Mollie B Polka Party, the band has also written a song for and appeared in the latest Clint Eastwood film, “The Mule.”

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WMB is a danceable band with a rocking country edge, playing classic, 90’s and current country, as well as classic rock tunes with their patented country edge!

Everyone LOVES a happy ending to their week—Playing your favorite 90s/00s alternative rock covers!

The Deutschmeister Brass Band provides musical entertainment and German atmosphere for a wide variety of audiences.  Since its founding in 1963, the band has performed at various functions around St. Louis and across the U.S.  The band is a subgroup of the German Cultural Society of St. Louis, and is dedicated to preserving the musical tradition of the German and Middle European cultures, while bringing a modern flavor to the traditional German brass band style.  With this blending of styles, the band attracts a broader, non-German audience, furthering our goal of spreading German culture through music.

THE 80’S ARE FLYING HIGH AGAIN AND IT AINT NOTHING BUT A GOOD TIME.
QUEENS BOULEVARD IS TAKING IT TO THE STREETS WITH A LOADED SIX STRING AND A PRIMAL SCREAM. 
THESE BOYS PUMP THEIR YOUTHFUL SWAGGER INTO THE 1980S HIT PARADE.
SEX, DRUGS & ROCK N ROLL AINT JUST FOR THE BOOMERS ANY MORE.
IT’S A WHOLE NEW MILLENNIUM AND THESE POP ROCKERS ARE BRINGING THE PYROMANIA TO PARADISE CITY! 

The Youth Group of the German Cultural Society of St. Louis is dedicated to the performance of German folk dancing and culture.

The Jugendgruppe consists of boys and girls ages 13 years old up to 21 years of age. It is a relaxed, yet serious, atmosphere as they learn dances from the different regions of Europe. We would love to have you come and see how much fun it is to dance and be part of our group!

The Wir Tanzen gruppe of the German Cultural Society of St. Louis is dedicated to the performance of German folk dancing and culture.

Wir Tanzen consists of young adults ages 21 & older.  It is a relaxed, yet serious, atmosphere as they learn modern German and shuhplattler style dances. We would love to have you come and see how much fun it is to dance and be part of our group!