Kris & The Riverbend Dutchmen
Polka
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Founded in 2009 by bandleader and concertina player Kris Keltgen, Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen have become one of the Midwest’s premier old-time dance bands, carrying forward the rich Dutchmen tradition made famous by legendary groups such as the Six Fat Dutchmen, Whoopee John Wilfahrt, Babe Wagner, and the Rainbow Valley Dutchmen.
Based in southern Minnesota, the Riverbend Dutchmen perform throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and the Upper Midwest, entertaining audiences at ballrooms, festivals, fairs, concert series, and community celebrations. Known for their powerful horn section, award-winning musicianship, and dance-driven sound, the band blends authentic Dutchmen-style polkas and waltzes with carefully selected old-time favorites that appeal to both longtime dancers and new generations of listeners.
The band regularly performs as a seven-to-nine-piece ensemble and features an impressive roster of musicians, including three inductees of the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame. Their music has been featured on more than 200 radio programs throughout the United States and Canada and has been showcased on national television, including appearances on Mollie B Polka Party and numerous broadcasts of KEYC-TV’s long-running Bandwagon program.
In 2025, Keltgen expanded his efforts to preserve and promote Midwestern musical heritage by directing the award-winning feature documentary Song & Dance, a film celebrating the people, places, and traditions that have kept old-time music alive for generations. The project has received international recognition and multiple film festival awards.
The band’s newest release, Dutchmen on Parade, has been described as “The Album that Defines the Modern Dutchmen Sound,” showcasing beloved classics, newly preserved arrangements, and the musicianship that has made the Riverbend Dutchmen one of the region’s most respected dance bands.
Whether performing for a ballroom filled with dancers, an Oktoberfest celebration, a county fair, a community festival, or a concert audience, Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen deliver an authentic, energetic, and professional performance rooted in tradition and built for today’s audiences.
>> Career Highlights
Kris Keltgen has been performing old-time music since the age of four years old when he made regular appearances with his uncle’s band “Inside Straight” singing “Apples Peaches Pumpkin Pie” at local service clubs. Encouraged by his family, Kris began playing the drums and later took up the piano. Once out of high school, Kris began playing with “Double Shot”, and later the “Plum Krazy” band. At the age of 29, Kris began playing the concertina, an instrument Kris always appreciated and enjoyed. Practicing several hours a day, Kris became proficient at the concertina and formed the Riverbend Dutchmen after playing the concertina for only 2 years. Kris now plays the concertina exclusively in addition to singing with his own band. The Riverbend Dutchmen typically perform as a 5 or 6 piece band, but often perform as a 7 or 8 piece band for larger venues. This at a time when many of the larger bands are disappearing in favor of three or four piece bands. “I’ve always appreciated the versatility of a robust horn section”, says Kris. Other band members include Crystal Malek on drums, Mike Budin on tuba, Rick Keane, Myron Muehlbauer, Jens Jensen, Jerry Kahle, and Steve Moran rounding out the horn section. The late Dick Ginn, former host of the KEYC-TV Bandwagon program also played with the band until succumbing to cancer in April of 2013. “I’ve always been fortunate to have been surrounded by such talented musicians and mentors”, said Kris in a recent newspaper interview. The band’s schedule continues to get busier every year as the band becomes more and more popular. “Old time music is certainly not dead. It is good music and people continue to enjoy themselves”, says Kris while explaining the bands success and growing popularity. The band has been busy in the last couple years with performances that included numerous festivals across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The band has made multiple appearances at the Minnesota State Fair and Clay County Iowa Fair in addition to many community celebrations and festivals. The band has had numerous nation-wide television appearances on the popular Mollie B Polka Party program on the RFD-TV network, appearances on KEYC-TV’s Bandwagon program, and numerous local broadcasts in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The band released its first album in 2012 entitled: “Smile”, and has just released their second album in 2014 entitled: “Partners, Brothers, and Friends”. In 2014, the band also released a DVD of the band’s performances. In addition to Kris on the concertina, the newest album also features Karl Hartwich and Mollie Busta, host of the popular Mollie B Polka Party on RFD-TV who performed with Kris on the album. Both albums are regularly featured on radio stations with old-time programming across the United States and Canada.
>> Testimonials
“They are a fabulous band, we are really excited to have them”
– Kato Ballroom
“The Entertainment Committee would like to extend its thanks and appreciation for your performance. This successful year resulted from great acts like yours, and we would love to have you return!”
-Entertainment Director, LaCrosse Oktoberfest
“I heard you guys playing at Oktoberfest in St. Peter this year and really liked your music. We would like to hire a band to play for our event!”
-Flying Dutchmen Motorcycle Club, New Ulm, MN
“Looks like you had an all star cast, wow, lots of talent!”
-WVRQ Radio, Viroqua, WI
>> Basic Set-Up Needs
>> Sample Introduction
The following is a sample introduction you might use when introducing Kris & The Riverbend Dutchmen to your audience:
"Formed in 2009, Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen blend an up-tempo beat with traditional Dutchmen style polka music made famous by so many of the great Dutchmen bands from Minnesota and Wisconsin. You can regularly find them at ballrooms, fairs and festivals across the upper-Midwest, as well as on the radio throughout North America. From Mankato, Minnesota, please join me in welcoming Kris and the Riverbend Dutchmen!"
>> Pricing Information
Pricing for each act varies depending on a number of factors including: location of the event; popularity of the date; routing for each act; type of event; single or multiple day performances; length of show, etc. To get a specific and accurate quote for your event please contact our office by completing the form below or calling (612) 361-6002. We respond very quickly to answer all our clients' questions.
