Alpenfest favorite Kerry Christensen returns with world-class all-star dance band for 2006

Alpenfest is pleased to welcome back Kerry Christensen, one of the most popular entertainers in the long history of the festival. In addition to Kerry, music fans will also be treated to an all-star band of musicians for the 2006 Alpenfest.

The Lyle Schaefer Band is a polka/dance/Octoberfest style band that includes Lyle Schaefer on accordian, Roger Jensen on guitar, Dave Salge on saxaphone and clarinet, and Dale Drenner on drums.

Lyle Schaefer has been playing professionally for over 35 years, traveling throughout the Pacific Northwest, midwest and the Scandinavian countries playing for dances and festivals. In 1999, Lyle took first place in

The Kimberly International Accordian competition.

Roger Jensen has been a professional guitarist both on stage and as a private instructor for 40 years. Roger has been playing with this group since 1995.

Dave Salge hails from Texas where he played clarinet with the Houston Symphony. For Alpenfest this year, you will hear Dave play the clarinet polka as you have never heard it before.

Dale Drenner is described as being “one great drummer,” being able to play a great variety of styles. His audiences are always excited by his rendition of “Wipe Out.”

During each performance, Kerry often tells the story behind each song, and explains the history and meaning of what he sings. This helps heighten the enjoyment of Kerry’s world class talent.

Kerry travels around the country performing alpine and cowboy yodeling year ’round. He appeared for seven years at the Epcot Center. He has traveled to Canada, Europe, Las Vegas, the Caribbean and the Pacific entertaining at Octoberfests, fairs and cruises. Kerry also offers his extensive line of recordings on tape or CD at each performance. These autographed copies of Kerry’s music make a great Alpenfest souvenir.

Visit Kerry’s website (www.masteryodeler.com) to learn more about cruises he will be performing on. The Disney animated feature film “Home on the Range” also features Kerry’s yodeling as part of the soundtrack. After his experience at Disney World in Orlando, Kerry headed out on his own and has had great success as one of only two or three professional, full-time yodelers in the United States.

Kerry found his love for yodeling growing up in Idaho and has been performing since the age of three. His yodeling style is acrobatic and lively and his audiences are always enthusiastic.