Donn Reynolds - King of the Yodelers

Canadian, six feet one, genial Donn Reynolds, "King of the Yodelers", was born in Western Canada June 26, 1921.

At the age of 10, he picked up his first guitar, and by 14, he turned professional as "The Yodeling Ranger". This was the beginning of a long prosperous career that was to bring Donn world renown for his style and presentation of the western song.

Donn was the former International Yodel Champion, winning the title at the Pacific National Exhibition in 1950. In 1956 he won the United States Yodeling Championship in Washington DC, claiming the title "World's Champion Yodeler".

A star of song and screen, Donn released many recordings on MGM, Columbia, and RCA labels including several worldwide hit singles. He performed on countless stages and television shows worldwide including the Grand Ole Opry, Bavarian Opry, Louisiana Hayride, WLS National Barn Dance, El Circo De Madrid, WWVA Jamboree, and KRLD Big "D" Jamboree. His friends include the likes of Hank Snow, Peggy Lee, Roy Rogers, Marty Robbins, Ray Price, Roy Clark, and Buck Owens. His acting credits include the films Eureka Stockade (1949), Arena (1953), and the lead role as Davy Crockett in the British musical.

Though Donn, for most of his career, was a solo performer, he teamed up in the latter years with his wife Cindy as a husband and wife duet. The couple commenced a worldwide tour together including performances throughout England, Europe and the Middle East. They appeared in the United States and Canada on many top TV shows, performed before royalty, and played almost every major night club in Canada from coast-to-coast.

In 1978 Donn set the world record for the longest yodel by yodeling non-stop for 7 hours and 29 minutes. In 1984 he established a world record for the fastest yodel by achieving five tones (three falsetto) in 1.9 seconds...achievements that earned him fame in both the Guinness Book of World Records and Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Donn Reynolds
June 26, 1921 - August 16, 1997

In loving memory of a world class entertainer,
husband, father, and grandfather.

MAR05 UPDATE

*** NEW SERVER ! ***

We are expanding to a faster server and our URL is changing to: www.donnreynolds.com !

Load times of all audio/video clips and images on the new server are greatly improved!

FEB05 UPDATE

Created a new page for many new and rare finds.

A very special thanks to Mr. Nick Weare of Screensound Australia for contributing much of Donn's Australian material to this website!

JAN05 UPDATE

Added images of Donn's 1976 appearance on the CBC Bob McLean Show.

DEC04 UPDATE

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of Donn's fans, friends and family! We recently located additional resources for Donn's rare material. All findings will be shared with you right here...Stay tuned!

NOV04 UPDATE

BBC Radio 4 broadcasted a delightful 30 minute primer on the art of yodeling entitled "Yodel Your Blues Away". Any fan of yodeling will enjoy listening to the Nov 2 program. (Host: Sandi Toksvig)

OCT04 UPDATE

Donn's recording "That Old Bush Shanty of Mine" appears on the Great Country Vintage cd compilation from the Rajon Music Group. Very highly recommended to fans of Donn's music.

SEP04 UPDATE

December 2004 marks the 150th anniversary of the Australian Eureka Stockade. As an original cast member of the 1949 movie, we are proud to contribute some of Donn's material to the commemorative events of Eureka150.