Note: The following is one of a series of articles looking at events in the history of Bulloch County.

The "Online Music Magazine," available online at www.furious.com, posted the story entitled "Perfect Sound Forever." It described the music form known as "yodeling."

The word "yodel" comes from the German word "jodeln," which meant "to utter the syllable 'jo,' or, in English, 'yo.'" This particular singing technique is used in many cultures worldwide.

It stated "yodeling is a form of singing with rapid changes of pitch between a 'low-pitch chest register,' or 'chest voice,' and a 'high-pitch head register,' or 'falsetto.'"

Traveling minstrel shows which included yodeling were quite common in America. In fact, the Victor Recording Company actually listed 17 "yodelers" in their 1920 music catalogue.

In 1928, Jimmie Rodgers released his "Blue Yodel No. 1," in which he displayed a mixture of "Alpine yodeling," the "African American blues" music, and traditional "American folk music."

In the early days of musical entertainment, “Yodeling Cowboys” were very popular. In fact, Gene Autry, known as the “Singing Cowboy” got his start as “Oklahoma’s Yodeling Cowboy" on Tulsa radio station WKOO in 1928.

The Bulloch Times-Statesboro News-Statesboro Eagle issue of Nov. 7, 1935, announced “Visiting Musicians to Present Programs.” The “Cartel Trio” program included a number of acts.

The announcement revealed their stars “style themselves as the Yodeling Vagabond and the American Cowboy, and advertise themselves as having broadcast over WFBA, WTOC and many other stations.”

The Bulloch Herald issue of Aug. 18, 1937 revealed that “Yodeler to Appear in Person at State Theater,” as “Next Wednesday and Thursday, Joe Harvey, America’s Blue Yodeling Cowboy,” would appear.

qHarvey also composed many songs heard on the moving picture screen. The paper announced he would appear, in person, at the State Theater “direct from Hollywood, Cal. to give a talk on the life and players in Hollywood.”

qJoe Harvey, who worked in many pictures, would also talk on the life of Jimmy Rogers, the boy who held the yodeling championship until his death.

In addition, Harvey has been heard over 339 American radio stations and 11 Foreign stations. The management revealed “Little Buck Bender,” Georgia’s own champion yodeling cowgirl, to accompany Harvey.

The Herald added “She will sing and play the harmonica and guitar with Joe on stage. Don’t miss seeing and hearing this pair!” One year later, yodeling made an appearance throughout Bulloch County.

The Wednesday, March 16, 1938 Bulloch Herald announced that the “Yodeling Kid” now appears daily on the Smith’s Heating System Inc. program from Radio Station WPTF of Raleigh, North Carolina.

The program’s yodeling show aired every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 11:45 a.m. till noon. The young yodeling lady is just 14 years old, “and is one of WPTF’s biggest drawing cards.

John Greenway’s article entitled “Jimmie Rogers. A Folksong Catalyst” was published in the Journal of American Folklore (1957.) Rogers sold over 20 million albums between 1927 and 1933.

His song “Blue Yodel Number One" (“T” for Texas), his song “Blue Yodel Number Four" (“California Blues”), "Blue Yodel Number Five," and "Blue Yodel Number Eight" (“Mule Skinner Blues) represented his special style.

All told, he recorded 12 “Blue Yodels.” No songs of the “Blue Yodel” variety had been recorded prior to his 1927 album. Greenway listed the two main characteristics of the “Blue Yodel.”

First was the “slight situational pattern” of a “rounder boasting of its prowess;” and the second was “the prosodic pattern, the articulation of Negro maverick stanzas.”

Roger Allen is a local lover of history who provides a brief look each week at the area's past. Email him at rwasr1953@gmail.com.