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Donn Reynolds

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Donn Reynolds
Background information
Birth nameStanley Beresford Reynolds
Also known asDonn Reynolds,
King of the Yodelers
Born(1921-06-26)June 26, 1921
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
OriginBrampton, Ontario, Canada
DiedAugust 16, 1997(1997-08-16) (aged 76)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresCountry, western
Occupation(s)Singer, musician, songwriter
Years active1947–1987
LabelsMGM Records,
Pye Nixa Records,
Regal Zonophone
Websitewww.donnreynolds.com

Stanley Beresford "Donn" Reynolds (June 26, 1921 – August 16, 1997) was a Canadian country music singer and yodeler most widely known for his Bavarian style of yodeling. Often referred to as Canada's "King of the Yodelers",[1] Reynolds established two yodeling world records. He recorded 38 singles and six albums throughout a performing career spanning over 40 years.

Biography

1937 B&W photograph of Donn Reynolds (top left) as "The Yodeling Ranger" seated on steps with his band (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada).
With his band as "The Yodeling Ranger" (1937).

Early years

Donn Reynolds was born in St. Vital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on June 26, 1921. His parents, William Reynolds and Ethel Smith, migrated from England to Canada in 1907 after their marriage in 1905. He was youngest of three children, with older sisters Dora and Connie. Influenced by Harry Hopkinson (aka Harry Torrani), a popular British yodeler during the 1930s, Reynolds taught himself to sing and play guitar at 10 years of age. He first achieved local notoriety in 1936, winning a local radio (CKY Winnipeg) sponsored talent contest. By the age of 16, Reynolds had formed a band performing local clubs and theatres as "The Yodeling Ranger".[2]

Military

With his father's encouragement, Reynolds headed for British Columbia in 1937 to work as a deckhand for Canadian Pacific Railway Coast Service aboard passenger steamships along the western coasts of Canada and the United States. Traveling with his guitar, he gained popularity for entertaining passengers and crew with frequent impromptu performances aboard each ship. After Canada's declaration of war in 1939, Reynolds became a Merchant Mariner in the Canadian Merchant Navy with Canadian Pacific Steamships. In 1941 he enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was assigned to deep-sea rescue operations in the Northern Pacific Aleutian Islands. During service in the RCAF, Reynolds' vocal talents caught the attention of senior officers as he was often heard singing and yodeling throughout the ship. They facilitated his reassignment to the "Joe Boys",[3] a Canadian military entertainment unit touring throughout Western Canada and Alaska performing for Canadian, American, British and Australian troops where he remained until the end of the Pacific campaign in 1945.

1948 B&W photograph of Donn Reynolds (far left) on the film set of Eureka Stockade standing with Peter Finch, Grant Taylor, and Sid Hermann (New South Wales, Australia).
With Peter Finch, Grant Taylor, and Sid Hermann on film set of Eureka Stockade (1948).

Australia

Upon his discharge from military service, Reynolds moved to New Zealand through an offer to tour the Kerridge Odeon circuit[4] under contract with R.J. Kerridge. Success of the tour extended to Australia in early 1947 where he joined Western Cinemas Limited as a featured vaudeville performer in his own travelling hillbilly variety show.[5] His appearances now featured the heavy black beard he had grown for an acting role in the Australian film "Eureka Stockade" produced by Ealing Studios.[6] The same year, Reynolds joined Willard (Bill) Ferrier's Famous Hillbillies along with budding Australian artists Johnny Ashcroft, The McKean Sisters, Dusty Rankin, and Billy Blinkhorn. Their shows were the first in Sydney to present a strictly all country music format.[7]

Alongside pioneers Tex Morton and Slim Dusty, Reynolds became one of Australia's earliest popular country music recording artists upon his 1947 release of several sides for the Australian Columbia Graphophone Company on the Regal Zonophone label.[8] Gaining popularity around the country, he became known as "Canada's Yodelling Cowboy"[9] and regularly featured on national radio shows such as Bob Dyer's Dude Ranch, Cavalcade with Jack Davey, National Fair, Malvern Star Show, and RAAF Digger Sessions. He earned money playing theaters and halls in towns across New South Wales where people had heard him on the radio and travelled with Goldwyn Brothers Circus billed as the "Yodelling Cowboy". In October 1948, Reynolds became the voice of Australia's iconic Peters Ice Cream as the "Peter's Singing Cowboy". His signature five tone yodel garnered recognition as a regular feature of the Peters Pals radio show syndicated from Melbourne's 3XY.

United States

Reynolds headed to the U.S. in 1949 releasing his first American hit single, Texas Yodel on Selective Records which became a Cashbox Bullseye of the Week July 2, 1949. Later that year, he headlined Dusty Ellison's inaugural "Red Barn Roundup" at the Avodon Ballroom, Los Angeles. On September 1, 1950 Reynolds won the "World Open Yodelers Contest"[10] awarded by Wilf Carter at the Pacific National Exhibition in Vancouver, BC. He later won the 1956 U.S. National Yodeling Contest[11][12] awarded by Connie B. Gay in Washington DC.

From 1950 through late 1956, Reynolds traveled the U.S. working in radio broadcasting while performing on stage and television across the country. Noteworthy appearances included the Louisiana Hayride,[13] WLS National Barn Dance,[14] WWVA Jamboree,[15] KRLD Big D Jamboree,[16] Hollywood Theatre, WSAZ Saturday Night Jamboree,[17] Herb Shriner's "Two for the Money",[18] Valley View Park (with Roy Acuff), and his own regular TV show as "The TV Rangers"[19] on WGAL-TV. During the summer of 1952, Reynolds recorded sessions with famed western band leader Eddie Cletro for Lariat Records[20] at the famous Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood. He later opened a record shop "The Record Corral" in Cumberland, Maryland specializing in country and spiritual music.

1957 B&W photograph of Donn Reynolds (far left) in recording studio with George Morgan, Wesley Rose, Boudleaux Bryant, and Eddy Arnold (Nashville, Tennessee).
With George Morgan, Wesley Rose, Boudleaux Bryant, and Eddy Arnold in recording studio (1957).

In late 1956 Reynolds traveled to the U.K., being among the first to record in London's Lansdowne Studios with British producer Denis Preston. Twelve songs were recorded for EMI under engineering expertise of Joe Meek with notable backing musicians Jack Fallon (bass), Danny Levan (violin), Sandy Brown (clarinet), and Al Fairweather (trumpet). While living in the U.K. some of his appearances included BBC TV shows "Bid for Fame", "Fancy Free", "In Town Tonight", "Six Five Special", Radio Luxembourg with Gerry Wilmot, and the lead role as Davy Crockett in the Irish musical, "The Adventures of Davy Crockett".

Preston was impressed with Reynolds' talent and soon arranged a record deal with MGM Records in the U.S. Less than one year after arriving in the U.K. Reynolds returned to the U.S. in 1957 for recording sessions in Nashville's historic RCA McGavock Studio under direction of Wesley Rose (Acuff-Rose). Accompanied by Chet Atkins on guitar, Moon Mullican on piano, and famed Elvis backup singers The Jordanaires, the singles Rose of Ol' Pawnee, Bella Belinda, All Alone, and Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain were released on MGM Records.[21] The singles were well received by Cash Box and Billboard Magazine record reviews while promoted through moderate radio play and touring across the U.S. concluded by a guest appearance on Buddy Deane's Bandstand[22] (WJZ-TV) in December 1957.

Europe

Upon the release of his earlier EMI studio recordings on the Pye Nixa label, Reynolds returned to the U.K. in 1959 embarking on a European tour[23] of England, Sweden, Germany, Morocco, and Spain headlining performances at the Bavarian Grand Ole Opry, Liseberg Rondo, Circus Sarrasani, El Circo De Madrid,[24] and Victoria Palace Theatre.[25] Four of the EMI recordings were released in the U.K. on the Pye Records EP "The Donn Reynolds Song Bag" followed by four recordings released as singles in Denmark on Metronome Records coinciding with his tour dates there. In March 1960 Reynolds signed with Rank Records Ltd.[26] to record his first LP album. Recording sessions began in May with sound engineer John Timperley at London's Olympic Studio featuring the industry's first transistorised control desk built by Dick Swettenham. Shortly after, the collapse of Rank Records Ltd. prevented the album's release with all recorded material subsequently being turned over to Reynolds.

During a performance in Mildenhall, Suffolk, England, Reynolds met Audrey Williams of the British performing trio, "The Three Skylarks". They married September 17, 1960, in Poulton-le-Fylde, England after which Audrey changed her name to Cindy Reynolds in response to media confusion with another famous Audrey Williams (wife of Hank Williams Sr.). Cindy later parted from The Three Skylarks to travel with Reynolds, combining vocal talents in duet performances during the remainder of his European tour. What was to have been a two-week working honeymoon tour of Spain actually lasted six months as Spanish audiences thrilled to their performances and persuaded the newlyweds to remain in their country several months longer.

1962 B&W photograph of Donn Reynolds performing on the set of Cross Canada Barndance (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada).
Reynolds on Cross Canada Barndance (1962).

Canada

In October 1961 Reynolds returned with Cindy to his birthplace joining the casts of TV shows Cross Canada Barndance[27] (CTV) and Red River Jamboree[28] (CBC) before releasing his previous Rank Records material for the LP "The Wild One" on the Banff label of Rodeo Records in 1962. They settled in Toronto, Ontario in the spring of 1963 and developed a smooth lounge club duet act performing throughout Ontario for several years while recording duet singles as "Donn & Cindy" on London Records and Sparton Records. Cindy gave birth to their first son in 1964. Reynolds returned to the country music charts in 1965 with his single "Afraid" (reaching No. 1 February 22, 1965)[29] followed by his second solo album "The Blue Canadian Rockies" containing singles "She Taught Me How To Yodel" (reaching No. 2 April 12, 1965),[30] and "Lorelei" (reaching No. 4 November 29, 1965).[31] In 1967 Reynolds released his third solo album "Springtime in the Rockies" containing the single "Shut the Door" (reaching No. 36 June 1, 1968).[32] The couple moved to Brampton, Ontario in 1969 where Cindy gave birth to their 2nd son in 1971 and withdrew from the entertainment industry to pursue a successful marketing career.

1980 colour photograph of Donn Reynolds performing outside atop the main deck roof of the CN Tower (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).
Reynolds performing outside atop the CN Tower (1980).

World records

Throughout the 1970s, Reynolds maintained a healthy Canadian solo career including performances on TV shows Country Hoedown (CBC), Carl Smith's Country Music Hall (CTV), Don Messer's Jubilee (CBC) and released his fourth LP album "Songs of the West" in 1974. National notoriety paved the way for one of the defining moments of Reynolds' career, which came on November 27, 1976 when he established a world record, yodeling non-stop for 7 hours and 29 minutes (Guinness Book of Records 1976).[33] The accomplishment triggered a surge of Canadian media attention including an appearance on Take 30 (CBC-TV) that saw Reynolds perform outside, atop the CN Tower,[34] The Bob McLean Show (CBC-TV), and U.S. concerts with Claude King in New York. Persistence in the national spotlight inspired Reynolds to release his fifth LP album "King of the Yodelers" on Quality Records in 1979.

Dedication to promoting the art of yodeling earned Reynolds his second world record in the Guinness Book of Records on July 25, 1984 when he became the worlds fastest yodeler, achieving 5 tones (3 falsetto) in 1.9 seconds.[35][36] The event was captured on the Canadian television show Pizazz! (Global-TV) and featured in Ripley's Believe it or Not! depicting Reynolds in a cartoon.[37] Reynolds once again found himself amid a stir of media frenzy including appearances on The Tommy Hunter Show, The Alan Thicke Show, Claim to Fame (CTV-TV), Daytime Challenge (CBC-TV), Canada AM (CTV-TV), That's Life (Global-TV), Tempo Ontario (CKCO-TV), performances with Claude King in Brampton, Ontario and with Ronnie Hawkins for the Toronto Musician's Association.

Later years

By the late-1980s, demand for Reynolds' appearances declined with lack of national exposure or new material. He struggled amidst a country music industry progressing toward more modern sound as promoters offered less work and greater reluctance for his now obscure talent. Reynolds' worldwide fame waned to local popularity and guest appearances, although feature stories and interviews with Reynolds continued to circulate throughout national publications including International Musician, Canadian Composer, Close Up, Country Music News, and Maclean's magazines.

In 1987, Reynolds signed with RCA Records, releasing a compilation of his most popular songs titled "Donn Reynolds – King of the Yodelers". The album was promoted through performances across Southern Ontario and the Northeastern US including the Appalachian Jubilee in Pennsylvania, Malton Festival and CKGL Summerfest Jamboree in Kitchener, Ontario. Among later professional appearances, Reynolds frequently starred in the annual Royal Winter Fair at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto along with annual performances at the Toronto Musical Festival[38] and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame Jamboree.

In April 1990, Reynolds became a member of the Masonic Order (Flower City Lodge No. 689)[39] providing greater opportunity to serve the children's charities he passionately supported throughout his career. A brief return to the spotlight occurred June 25, 1990 on the BBC-TV show Record Breakers when Reynolds beat his previous world record for fastest yodel by achieving 5 tones (3 falsetto) in .93 seconds.[40][41] The feat was later broadcast October 19, 1990 on BBC-TV.

Photograph of the plaque for the Donn Reynolds Parkette in the city of Brampton, Ontario, Canada.
Donn Reynolds Parkette.

As health issues began limiting his ability to travel or perform, Reynolds settled at his home in Brampton, Ontario, Canada with Cindy and their three sons while continuing to work with children's charities. A video documentary highlighting various performances and achievements of Reynolds was entered into the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee while numerous audio recordings were entered into Library and Archives Canada.[42] He died in Toronto on August 16, 1997[1] following complications from Alzheimer's disease and was interred in the Meadowvale Cemetery in Brampton, Ontario.

In 1998, the "Donn Reynolds Parkette" in Brampton, Ontario, was named in honour of Reynolds.[43]

In 2002, Reynolds was honoured with a Canada Barn Dance Pioneer Award and inducted into the Barn Dance Hall of Fame.[44]

Discography

Albums

Year Album Label Catalogue
1959 The Donn Reynolds Song Bag Pye Nixa NEP 24098
1962 The Wild One Banff RBS 1178
1965 The Blue Canadian Rockies Arc AS673
1967 Springtime in the Rockies Arc AS767
1974 Songs of the West Marathon MMS-76060
1979 King of the Yodelers Quality GS-1992
1987 Donn Reynolds RCA CK-5004
2013 Portrait of a Yodeler BACM CD D 422

Singles

Year Single Label Catalogue
1947 Old Bush Shanty of Mine Regal Zonophone G 25160
1947 The Ring My Mother Wore Regal Zonophone G 25161
1947 Salt Bush Sue Regal Zonophone G 25162
1949 Texas Yodel Selective S-1X
1950 If I'd Only See'd You Aragon AR181
1952 I Tell Myself A Lie Bullet 751
1952 The Night-In-Gale Song Lariat 1107
1952 Don't Talk About Me Lariat 1108
1952 Texas Yodel Lariat 1109
1955 Don't Tell Me Blue Hen BH-207
1957 Rose of Ol' Pawnee MGM K12512
1957 Bella Belinda MGM K12573
1957 Hasta Luego HMV POP 314
1958 Swing Low Sweet Chariot Pye Nixa N.15122
1959 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Metronome B 1341
1959 T. B. Blues Metronome B 1366
1961 The Parting W&G WG-S-1341
1962 The Parting Citadel CT3141
1962 The Wild One Citadel CT3149
1963 Rose of Ol' Pawnee Quality 1578X
1963 Mountain Laurel London M.17303
1963 Texas Yodel London M.17306
1965 Afraid Sparton 4-1315
1965 Wedding Bells Sparton 4-1332
1965 Lorelei Arc A1114
1968 Shut The Door Arc A1208
1971 Texas Yodel W&G WG-S-8311
1974 Texas Yodel Marathon 45-1131

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Library and Archives Canada Sep 1997 King of the yodelers Donn Reynolds dead at age 76
  2. ^ Plantenga, Bart (2004). Yodel-ay-ee-oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-93990-4., page 299
  3. ^ Canadian Military Entertainers 1939–1946, Laurel Halladay, 2000
  4. ^ Cowboy Corner No. 10. Music Maker Magazine. 20 May 1948. p.17.
  5. ^ "Yodeller Returns". Nepean Times. Vol. 65, , no. 4898. NSW, Australia. November 20, 1947. p. 4.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
  6. ^ "Beard And Accent Set A Puzzle". Molong Express And Western District Advertiser. NSW, Australia. February 4, 1948. p. 4.
  7. ^ Eric Watson, Country Music in Australia (Rodeo Publications, 1975) p.111-120.
  8. ^ National Library of Australia Donn Reynolds Regal Zonophone recordings
  9. ^ "Stars Of The Air. Canada's Yodelling Cowboy". Wodonga And Towong Sentinel. Victoria, Australia. July 18, 1947. p. 4.
  10. ^ Billboard 23 Sep 1950 p.37 World Open Yodeling Contest
  11. ^ Cowboy Songs Magazine No.051 April 1957, News in Pictures, p.17
  12. ^ Folk And Country Songs Magazine Vol.3 No.1 1958, King of the Yodelers, p.30
  13. ^ Billboard 3 Nov 1951 p.41 Louisiana Hayride KWKH Shreveport LA
  14. ^ Billboard 11 Nov 1950 p.30 WLS National Barn Dance
  15. ^ Billboard 4 Nov 1957 p.55 WWVA Jamboree
  16. ^ Billboard 15 Sep 1951 p.86 KRLD Big D Jamboree
  17. ^ Billboard 13 Feb 1954 p.58 WSAZ Saturday Night Jamboree
  18. ^ Billboard 24 Mar 1956 p.50 Herb Shriner's "Two for the Money" TV show
  19. ^ Billboard 18 Jul 1953 p.56 Donn Reynolds TV Rangers television show WGAL-TV
  20. ^ Billboard 23 Aug 1952 p.36 Lariat & Dot Records contracts (Randy Wood)
  21. ^ Billboard 1 Jul 1957 p.65 Studio recordings with MGM Records (Wesley Rose)
  22. ^ Billboard 16 Dec 1957 p.60 Buddy Deane's Bandstand (WJZ-TV)
  23. ^ "Home Again". The Stage. London. April 13, 1961. p. 3.
  24. ^ "Donn Reynolds Starring in Rodeo Circus in Spain". The Stage. London. January 26, 1961. p. 3.
  25. ^ B., R. (April 28, 1960). "Our Friends the Stars...at the Victoria Palace". The Stage. London. p. 5.
  26. ^ Billboard 6 Jun 1960 p.6 Top Rank Records contract
  27. ^ Canadian TV Archives Cross Canada Barndance
  28. ^ Canadian TV Archives Red River Jamboree
  29. ^ Library and Archives Canada Country Singles – Volume 2, No. February 26, 22, 1965
  30. ^ Library and Archives Canada Country Singles – Volume 3, No. April 7, 12, 1965
  31. ^ Library and Archives Canada Country Singles – Volume 4, No. November 14, 29, 1965
  32. ^ Library and Archives Canada Country Singles – Volume 9, No. June 14, 1, 1968
  33. ^ Guinness Book of Records 1978, Longest Yodel (Sterling Publishing Company, 1972) p.488
  34. ^ CBC-TV Archives Donn yodels atop the CN tower 1980 (under "Did you know?")
  35. ^ Guinness Book of Records, 1986 (32nd edition), Fastest Yodel (London, England: Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1986) p.183
  36. ^ Guinness Book of Records 1988, Fastest Yodel (Guinness Superlatives, 1987) p.183
  37. ^ The Toronto Star, July 15, 1985, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, p.D5
  38. ^ The Toronto Star, June 24, 1987, 1987 Toronto Summer Music Festival, p.F5
  39. ^ Flower City Lodge No. 689 GRC Brampton Masons
  40. ^ Plantenga, Bart (2004). Yodel-ay-ee-oooo: The Secret History of Yodeling Around the World. Psychology Press. ISBN 978-0-415-93990-4., page 28
  41. ^ Brampton Guardian, 6 Jul 1990, p. 6 Believe it or not – Reynolds tops record
  42. ^ Library and Archives Canada Donn Reynolds in the National Archives of Canada
  43. ^ Brampton Guardian, 14 Aug 1998, p. 19 Parkette named for yodeller Donn Reynolds
  44. ^ The Barn Dance Historical Society Donn Reynolds Barn Dance Pioneer Award

Notes

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