From yodeling Indian love calls to Swiss, German, Cajun and even chicken yodels, Kerry Christensen puts on a yodeling show that is like no other. He is a former yodeler for Disney World at Epcot Center in Florida, and the yodeling voice of villain Alameda Slim in Disney’s animated movie “Home on the Range.” He can also be heard in the movie, “Without a Paddle”.

Christensen was raised on a potato farm in Grace, Idaho so he had to travel quite a distance to discover his passion of yodeling. Already a performer of western music, he traveled to Austria in 1976 to discover the folk music that would become his life’s work.  He purchased recordings of the great yodeling masters, and returned home determined to master the ancient art of yodeling. He practiced 14 to 15 hours a day while driving a tractor around the potato fields. Yodeling carries for long distances and was used as a form of communication between hillside farms before telephones. He nearly drove his father crazy while he was learning to yodel.  Eventually his father banished him to practicing in the garage.

When not touring the Rio Grande Valley or working in animated movies, Christian travels all around the country and internationally to perform yodeling shows. He may be the only yodeler who can perform every style of yodeling. During a typical show, Christensen mixes styles together. The audience will hear cowboys, alpine, Cajun, Latin, Jewish, Hawaiian, jazz, classical and humorous yodeling styles like the chicken yodel in the same program.

His first performance in 1977 in front of a major university assembly brought 15,000 students to their feet in a standing ovation. He has appeared at the Dollywood, Tennessee Festival of Nations, the Branson Silver Dollar City International Folk Festival, the Germanfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Minot, North Dakota Hostfest, and was the 1995 National Western Music Association Yodeling Champion.

Christensen has entertained on cruise ships, at the Excalibur Hotel in Las Vegas, and many other locations across the country.

During his shows, Christensen also plays the rare but beautiful zither, which is considered to be the most difficult musical instruments in the world. It has 48 strings and takes all 10 fingers to play properly. If that were not difficult enough, he also plays “Amazing Grace” on the alphorn (the long horn seen in the Ricola ads) at the same time he plays the accordion.

Christensen can be seen in several special shows done in combination with “Auntie Kreamsaugen” who is “Running for President” this year. These shows will be held Feb. 10, 13, 15 and 20 at Marleen’s Hall, 124 S. Ware Road, McAllen. The lunch and show combination is $17 with reservations while groups of 15 or more get a discounted price of $15 per ticket in advance. To make reservations call (956) 687-8677 or (956) 618-3993.

In addition to these shows Christensen can be seen Feb. 9 at Paradise Park, McAllen; Feb. 11, Westgate RV, Raymondville, 1 p.m.; Feb; 12, Magic Valley Park, Weslaco, 7 p.m.; Feb. 15, Sunshine RV Resort; Feb. 17, Tip O Texas, Pharr; Feb. 18, Winter Haven, 7 p.m.; Feb. 15, Alamo Palms, 6 p.m.; Feb 26, Fiesta Village, Mission; and Feb. 27, Lemon Tree RV Inn, Mission.