Donn Reynolds
Donn Reynolds | |
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Regal Zonophone, Quality Records | |
Website | www.donnreynolds.com |
Stanley Beresford "Donn" Reynolds (June 26, 1921 – August 16, 1997) was a Canadian
Biography
Early years (1921-1936)
Donn Reynolds was born in St. Vital, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada on June 26, 1921.[2] 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,[2] 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".[3]
Military (1937-1945)
Through his father's encouragement, Reynolds headed for British Columbia in 1937 to work as a deckhand for
Australia (1946-1948)
Upon completing his military service, Reynolds moved to New Zealand through an offer to tour the
Alongside pioneers
United States (1949-1958)
Eager to extend his recent Australian popularity to America, Reynolds departed for Hollywood California in 1949 headlining "Red Barn Roundup" hoedowns with Dusty Ellison at the Avodon Ballroom in Los Angeles. His first U.S. single, "Texas Yodel", was declared a Cash Box "Bullseye of the Week" on July 2, 1949,[12] prompting appearances throughout California's vaudeville theaters and dance halls. The song was covered by Wesley Tuttle on Capitol Records later that same year.
Forming a band in 1950, Reynolds toured the southwestern U.S. as "Donn Reynolds & his Westerners" drawing further attention upon winning the "World Open Yodelers Contest"[13] on September 1, 1950 (awarded by Wilf Carter at the Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, BC) and later claiming the U.S. National Yodeling Championship[14][15] in 1956 (awarded by Connie B. Gay in Washington, DC).
During a trend that saw American R&B record labels expanding into country music, Reynolds signed with Art Rupe of Specialty Records in January 1952.[16] Recording sessions were held at John Keating Studios in Seattle, WA which remained unreleased until appearing on his 2013 compilation "Portrait of a Yodeler". Later that summer, Reynolds teamed up with western swing band leader Eddie Cletro,[17] recording several singles for Lariat Records[18] at the renowned Radio Recorders studio in Hollywood.
From 1950 through late 1956, Reynolds traveled the U.S. working in radio broadcasting while regularly appearing on stage and television across the country. Featured appearances include the
By 1956, Reynolds had settled in Cumberland, Maryland as a resident broadcaster for WCUM and host of its weekly Alleghany Jubilee variety show.[26] He opened a local record shop "The Record Corral" specializing in country and spiritual music.
In late 1956 Reynolds traveled to the U.K., being among the earliest artists to have recorded in London's
Impressed with Reynolds’ talent, Preston arranged a U.S. record deal through his connections with
Europe (1959-1961)
With the U.K. release of his earlier EMI studio recordings on the
During a performance in Mildenhall, Suffolk, England, Reynolds met Audrey Williams of the British performing trio, "The Three Skylarks".[34] 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.
Canada (1962-1969)
In October 1961 Reynolds returned with Cindy to his birthplace of Winnipeg, Manitoba joining the casts of national TV shows
Reynolds returned to the country music charts in 1965 with his solo single "Afraid" (reaching No. 1 February 22, 1965)[38] followed by his second solo album The Blue Canadian Rockies containing singles "She Taught Me How To Yodel" (reaching No. 2 April 12, 1965),[39] and "Lorelei" (reaching No. 4 November 29, 1965).[40] In 1967 Reynolds released his third solo album Springtime in the Rockies containing the single "Shut the Door" (reaching No. 36 June 1, 1968).[41] Through increasing popularity of both solo and duet appearances came an offer to tour and record in Bermuda prompting the couples travel to the island country in 1969. Unfortunately for Reynolds, contractual obligations with Arc Records prohibited him from recording the proposed duet album with Cindy and the studio sessions were cancelled. The couple moved to Brampton, Ontario in 1969 where Cindy gave birth to their 2nd child, Scott in 1971 and withdrew from the entertainment industry to pursue a successful marketing career.
World records (1970-1985)
Throughout the 1970s, Reynolds maintained a healthy Canadian solo career featuring regular appearances on national television such as Country Hoedown (CBC),
With persistent devotion to promoting the art of yodeling, Reynolds earned a second entry into the Guinness Book of Records, when on July 25, 1984, he became the world's fastest yodeler, achieving 5 tones (3
Later years (1986-1997)
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 little interest in 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
In 1987, Reynolds signed with
In April 1990, Reynolds became a member of the
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.[52] 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.[53]
In 2002, Reynolds was honoured with a Canada Barn Dance Pioneer Award and inducted into the Barn Dance Hall of Fame.[54]
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 | No One Will Ever Know | 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
- ^ a b Library and Archives Canada Sep 1997 Archived November 4, 2013, at the Wayback Machine King of the yodelers Donn Reynolds dead at age 76
- ^ ISBN 9780195313734.
- ISBN 978-0-415-93990-4., page 299
- ^ Canadian Military Entertainers 1939–1946, Laurel Halladay, 2000
- ^ Cowboy Corner No. 10. Music Maker Magazine. 20 May 1948. p.17.
- Nepean Times. Vol. 65, no. 4898. NSW, Australia. November 20, 1947. p. 4.
- ^ "Radio Round Up". The Sun. Sydney, Australia. June 17, 1947. p. 6.
- ^ "Beard And Accent Set A Puzzle". The Molong Express and Western District Advertiser. NSW, Australia. February 4, 1948. p. 4.
- ^ Eric Watson, Country Music in Australia (Rodeo Publications, 1975) p.111-120.
- ^ National Library of Australia Donn Reynolds Regal Zonophone recordings
- ^ "Stars Of The Air. Canada's Yodelling Cowboy". Wodonga And Towong Sentinel. Victoria, Australia. July 18, 1947. p. 4.
- ^ The Cash Box 2 July 1949 p.14 Cash Box Bullseye of the Week
- ^ Billboard 23 Sep 1950 p.37 World Open Yodeling Contest
- ^ Cowboy Songs Magazine No.051 April 1957, News in Pictures, p.17
- ^ Folk And Country Songs Magazine Vol.3 No.1 1958, King of the Yodelers, p.30
- ^ Billboard 26 Jan 1952 p.16 Specialty Records contract (Art Rupe)
- ^ Hillbilly-Music.com. "Eddie Cletro and His Roundup Boys". www.hillbilly-music.com. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ Billboard 23 Aug 1952 p.36 Lariat & Dot Records contracts (Randy Wood)
- ^ Billboard 3 Nov 1951 p.41 Louisiana Hayride KWKH Shreveport LA
- ^ Billboard 11 Nov 1950 p.30 WLS National Barn Dance
- ^ Billboard 4 Nov 1957 p.55 WWVA Jamboree
- ^ Billboard 15 Sep 1951 p.86 KRLD Big D Jamboree
- ^ Billboard 13 Feb 1954 p.58 WSAZ Saturday Night Jamboree
- ^ Billboard 24 Mar 1956 p.50 Herb Shriner's "Two for the Money" TV show
- ^ Billboard 18 Jul 1953 p.56 Donn Reynolds TV Rangers television show WGAL-TV
- ^ Billboard 12 Nov 1955 p.120 WCUM Alleghany Jubilee
- ^ Billboard 1 Jul 1957 p.65 Studio recordings with MGM Records (Wesley Rose)
- ^ The Cash Box 21 Dec 1957 p.51 The Milt Grant Show (WTTG-TV)
- ^ Billboard 16 Dec 1957 p.60 and Buddy Deane's Bandstand (WJZ-TV)
- ^ "Home Again". The Stage. London. April 13, 1961. p. 3.
- ^ "Donn Reynolds Starring in Rodeo Circus in Spain". The Stage. London. January 26, 1961. p. 3.
- ^ B., R. (April 28, 1960). "Our Friends the Stars...at the Victoria Palace". The Stage. London. p. 5.
- ^ Billboard 6 Jun 1960 p.6 Top Rank Records contract
- ^ "Donn Reynolds starring in big rodeo circus". The Stage. London. January 26, 1961. p. 3.
- ^ Canadian TV Archives Cross Canada Barndance
- ^ Canadian TV Archives Red River Jamboree
- ^ Western Hit Parade Archived October 16, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Country Singles Chart June 30, 1962
- ^ Library and Archives Canada Archived December 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Country Singles – Volume 2, No. February 26, 22, 1965
- ^ Library and Archives Canada Archived December 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Country Singles – Volume 3, No. April 7, 12, 1965
- ^ Library and Archives Canada Archived December 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Country Singles – Volume 4, No. November 14, 29, 1965
- ^ Library and Archives Canada Archived December 13, 2014, at the Wayback Machine Country Singles – Volume 9, No. June 14, 1, 1968
- ^ "Country Music Hall | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ McWhirter, Ross; McWhirter, Norris (July 18, 1972). "Guinness Book of World Records". Sterling Publishing Company. p. 488 – via Google Books.
- ^ CBC-TV Archives Donn yodels atop the CN tower 1980 (under "Did you know?")
- ^ Guinness Book of Records, 1986 (32nd edition), Fastest Yodel (London, England: Guinness Superlatives Limited, 1986) p.183
- ISBN 9780851128689– via Google Books.
- ^ The Toronto Star, July 15, 1985, Ripley's Believe It or Not!, p.D5
- ^ The Toronto Star, June 24, 1987, 1987 Toronto Summer Music Festival, p.F5
- ^ Flower City Lodge No. 689 GRC Archived April 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Brampton Masons
- ISBN 978-0-415-93990-4., page 28
- ^ Brampton Guardian, 6 Jul 1990, p. 6 Believe it or not – Reynolds tops record
- ^ Library and Archives Canada Donn Reynolds in the National Archives of Canada
- ^ Brampton Guardian, 14 Aug 1998, p. 19 Parkette named for yodeller Donn Reynolds
- ^ The Barn Dance Historical Society Donn Reynolds Barn Dance Pioneer Award
Notes
- The Mercury (Hobart, Tas) Jan 25, 1950 "Just Saddle and Ride" single release in Australia
- The Biz (Fairfield, NSW) Sep 13, 1951 "Texas Yodel" & "The Parting" singles release in Australia
- The Biz (Fairfield, NSW) Jul 18, 1953 Australian Regal Zonophone records release in Australia
- National Film & Sound Archive Australia[permanent dead link] Donn Reynolds Australian media
- National Library of Australia Donn Reynolds Australian recordings
- Billboard 17 Jun 1950 MCA Records contract
- Billboard 26 Jan 1952 Imperial Records contract (Lou Chudd)
- Billboard 20 Nov 1954 CJOB Jamboree
- Billboard 29 Jul 1957 MGM Records review
- Billboard 16 Dec 1957 HMV Records released in U.K.
- Billboard 22 Sep 1962 Record review – "The Wild One"
- National Archives Canada Donn Reynolds Canadian charted singles
- Ontario newspaper index Donn Reynolds in newspaper archives of Ontario
External links
- www.donnreynolds.ca (Official website)
- Discogs Discography (Discography)
- LyricsMania (Donn Reynolds lyrics)
- Last.FM (Artist page)
- Museum of Canadian Music (Artist page)
- Rate Your Music (Artist page)
- TalentOnDisplay.com (Fanpage)
- Hillbilly-Music.com (Fanpage)