During their Clifton Opera House performance, trumpet player Jim Hendrickson of Fairborn noted that during their 37 years, the band has donated around $100,000 to charities. “I’m gonna revise that to somewhat less than a million dollars,” Hendrickson joked.
“We’re not really in it for the money,” said business manager and trumpet player Dick Ray of Tipp City. Instead, the band members just seem to have a good time performing.
“We have an awful lot of fun,” said Hendrickson. “I’m having the time of my life.”
In between the polkas and classic big band music, Hendrickson gave the audience the history of the band and introduced its members. Each time someone was introduced as “the best looking man in the band,” multiple members stood up. Hendrickson introduced the other two trumpet players, Tom and Dick. “The point is not any Tom, Dick or Harry can play in this band,” he said, pointing out that his name is Jim.
The performers – all male since the recent retiring of the female vocalist – range in age from 40s to the oldest member, who is 90. The group started with seven employees from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base 37 years ago and has grown to 15 regular members plus substitutions.
“We have people who have been in this band over 30 years,” said Hendrickson. Ray noted that three members currently work at the Air Force base in Fairborn. All the Sauerkrauts are from the surrounding area, including Beavercreek, Bellbrook, Dayton, Enon, Kettering, Piqua, Oakwood, Springboro and Xenia.
Ray said the Sauerkrauts try to vary their music for the enjoyment of the audience and the musicians.
The Clifton Opera House audience showed its appreciation with toe-tapping and a standing ovation.
The Sauerkraut German Band will be back there on Nov. 13.
The band’s next performance will be in Cincinnati at the Kopling Society Schuetzenfest on July 24.
For more information on the Sauerkraut German Band or to order their CD, contact Dick Ray at (937) 669-5051 or dickray1@woh.rr.com.
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