Kerry Christensen
A Little History
Kerry Christensen, one of the world's best Alpine yodelers, was raised on a potato farm in Grace, Idaho and had to wander quite a distance to discover his passion - yodeling! A performer from the tender age of three, he has sung everything from western ballads to barbershop music. It was during his travels to Austria in 1976 however, that he discovered the folk music that would be his life. Armed with recordings of the great yodelers, Kerry returned from Europe, determined to master this ancient art--and he did. While driving the family tractor around and around the potato fields, he practised 14-15 hours a day. He drove his father crazy and was banished to practising in the garage--to no avail, as yodeling carries very well. (Remember, it was used to communicate between hillside farms.)
Musical Start
Kerry's first yodeling performance was in 1977, at a Brigham Young University orientation assembly. His yodeling brought 15,000 or so students to their feet for a standing ovation. Then his career really soared when Disney World in Orlando, Florida hired him to work at the German Pavilion of the Epcot Center in 1984 . He was the Disney World Yodeler from 1984 to1990 and the leader of the night band for the last four of those years.
After his experience at Disney, 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. You will find him now at various German festivals around the U.S. and Canada during the summer and at his dinner theatre in Mesa, Arizona, in the winter.
Career Highlights
1996 National Western Music Association Yodeling Champion
Disney World Yodeler 1984 - 1990
Excaliber Hotel - Las Vegas, NV
Cruise Ships to Alaska, Panama, Caribbean
Cultural Festivals in the U.S., Canada, Austria, Singapore
Barleen Family Arizona Opry
Goldener Hirsch Inn at Deer Valley, UT
State Fairs in Florida, Idaho, Utah, New England (Big E)
Brief History When Where Doing What
1954 to 1974 Born and raised in Grace, ID Barbershop, Musical Theater
1974 to 1976 Lived in Austria Exposed to language, culture, and music
1976 to 1978 Attended BYU "Sunshine Express" performing group
1978 Married Kathie Singing at The Heidelburg Restaurant
1979 Daughter Emilie born BA in Financial Planning
1981 Daughter Katie born Yodeler at Snowbird Resort
1982 Son Jonathan born (Still there)
1984 to 1990 Florida to work for Disney Yodeler at German Pavilion
1990 Home
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