Four friends who refused to let the music stop. When Dave and LaRae’s family band retired in 2021, a private-party booking pulled them back onto the stage. Randy, who carries on his father’s style and legacy with his own band (where Eric also performs and still plays with his family’s band), convinced Dave and LaRae to come out of retirement. Now the four friends are keeping the Dutch Hop legacy going — for as long as they can — incorporating traditional polkas, Slovenian-style numbers, waltzes, and two-steps, all with their signature Dutch Hop flair.
Dave Beitz
ACCORDION, DULCIMER, PIANO, DRUMS, VOCALS
Dulcimer sticks in hand since age 5 and carrying on the music from both sides of his family. Self-taught musician and 25-year member of the Polka-Nuts, where he played Dulcimer, Accordion, and Drums, and engineered their studio albums.
LaRae Szafraniec
tROMBONE, DRUMS, SAX, DULCIMER, VOCALS
The heart and soul of the Polka-Nuts for four decades. Small in stature, but don’t let that fool you — whether on Trombone, Sax, Drums, or Dulcimer, she brings an infectious energy that keeps the dance floor moving.
Randy Eckhart
dULCIMER, ACCORDION, PIANO, BASS GUITAR, VOCALS
Honoring his father Ronnie’s style, Randy leads his own band and continues the family legacy. A stage veteran of four decades, he put aside his first love of the dulcimer to pick up the accordion and carry the tradition forward. Now performing with Accordion To Us, he finally gets to jump back on the Dulcimer.
Eric Stehle
PIANO, DULCIMER, ACCORDION, SAX, DRUMS, BUTTON BOX, VOCALS
A true sax virtuoso and award-winning musician who has shared stages with the biggest names in the business. Performs with Randy’s band and his family band, The Alpine Polka-Dots, while also shining on Piano, Drums, Dulcimer, Bass Guitarand Accordion.