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 practiced 14-15 hours a day. He drove his father crazy and was banished to practicing 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 major 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, Swiss, Austrian, Cowboy, Country and Scandinavian festivals around the U.S. and Canada during the summer. See full schedule Tour Dates
Career Highlights
Dollywood Tennessee Festival of Nations 2007
Branson Silver Dollar City International Folk Festival 2005 -2006
Germanfest Milwaukee Wisconsin 1998 - 2007
Minot North Dakota Hostfest 1997 - 2007
1995 National Western Music Association Yodeling Champion 1995 yodeling-awards
- Disney World Yodeler 1984 - 1990
- Excalibur Hotel - Las Vegas, NV
- Cruise Ships to Alaska, Panama, Caribbean
- Cultural Festivals in the U.S., Canada, Norway, Austria, Singapore
- Goldener Hirsch Inn at Deer Valley, UT
- State Fairs somewhere in all 50 states.
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 |
1978 |
Married Kathie |
Singing at The Heidelberg 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 to Utah |
Freelancing 200 shows per year. |