Yodeling Familiar Trails (2010/CD)

Yodeling Familiar Trails

Tom Hawk: Vocals
Greg Latta: 6 and 12 string acoustic guitar, electric guitar, banjo, electric base, tambourine, harmonica, and sleigh bells

1. I Want to be a Cowgirl’s Sweetheart (2:47) © Patsy Montana/MCA Music (ASCAP)
This Patsy Montana classic, with the original title of “I Want to be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” has been sung by many yodelers of all ages. It is remarkable to listen to girls twelve and under sing the original of this song with real western style and yodeling skills.

2. Roundup Time (3:05) Traditional
All of my research on this song has resulted in the conclusion that it is a traditional Australian cowboy tune with no identifiable composer. I first heard KG and the Ranger sing this tune and immediately wanted to sing it.

3. Way Back When (3:22) © Margo Smith & Fran Powers/Fort Wayne Music (ASCAP)
The only recording I know of this song is on a Margo Smith CD. It was the first yodeling song I learned and allowed me to use one of the yodels I learned from Margo’s instructional tape. It captures the essence of learning to yodel in an extended family that really likes music.

4. The Last of the Yodeling Cowgirls (2:44) © Darrell Glenn/Nancy Gail Music (ASCAP)
The first time I heard Taylor Ware sing this song and yodel I was transfixed and promised myself that I would learn to do both. Darrell Glenn wrote this song in 1985 for Shauna Smith, the only other person I know who recorded it.

5. Sweet Little Bluebird Girl (3:01) © Cecelia Clark
This song was written by Yodeling Slim Clark’s first wife, Cecelia. Slim’s daughter, Jewell, was a blond, blue-eyed little girl at the time and liked to think that she was the subject of the song. Cecelia was a fine singer in her own right.

6. Out on the Lone Prairie (4:11) © Harry Miller/WB Music Corp.
This is another song I learned from a KG and the Ranger CD. When I contacted KG about the song, she said that she added another verse to the original. Even with the added verse, I didn’t want the song to end so I have added still another verse to it.

7. There’s a Love Knot in My Lariat (2:58) © Wilf Carter/Southern Music (ASCAP)
This is a song written by one of the greatest yodelers ever, Wilf Carter, who also was a prolific song writer, many of which have great yodeling sections. I heard Janet McBride do this song on a CD and thought that it would be a fine song to add to my repertoire.

8. Yodel Sweet Molly (2:28) © Anne Young/Central Songs and Beechwood Music Corp.
My first exposure to this song was Janet McBride’s version, one which is a duet. I liked the song so much that I decided to modify it so that I could sing it solo. This is a song that can be performed as both western and alpine in character, with slight changes in the words.

9. My Little Yoho Lady (2:55) © Wilf Carter/Southern Music (ASCAP)
This is another Wilf Carter gem that appealed to me. It is an easy song to learn and one I recommend for those starting out at learning yodeling. It is also a song that can move from the western repertoire to the alpine repertoire without any difficulty.

10. Santa’s Yodeling Song (3:12) © Janet McBride & Liz D’Lizzaraga (BMI)
Here is wonderful song for the kids during the holiday season. I have seen the joyous reaction and smiles of kids and adults alike to the wonderful words, melody, and yodels written by Janet McBride and Liz D’Lizarraga.

11. When You’re Blue Just Yodel (2:33) © Smilie Sutter
When I first heard Yodeling Slim Clark sing this song, I promised myself I would learn it. It is one of my most favorite yodeling songs. Singing this song certainly lifts my spirits for the day. And I can always see the smiles on the faces of those listening to it.

12. Chime Bells (2:46) © Elton Britt & Bob Miller/Universal (MCA)
This is one the greatest yodeling classics ever and it has been sung by many yodelers. But the most impressive version is the one sung by Elton Britt, who, in my opinion, is on the top of the all-time yodeling charts.