Zinn, Don - The World's Worst Yodeler

Tracks

Side 1

		Track Name	Length
	1	The Auctioneer	02:57
	2	It's Your Life (Tom Hearn)	02:13
	3	Home to Me (Don Zinn)	02:28
	4	The Wishing Well (Don Zinn)	01:58
	5	Nobody's Child	03:34

Side 2

		Track Name	Length
	1	My Woman My Woman My Wife	03:32
	2	The Valley of Evangeline (Don Zinn)	02:18
	3	Stay Awhile (Don Zinn)	02:30
	4	The World's Worst Yodeler (Don Zinn)	01:39
	5	Flashing Dark Eyes	02:52

Photos

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Information/Write-up

Don Zinn grew up surrounded by music and began playing guitar around the age of eight, developing early on the versatility that later made him a valued accompanist and songwriter throughout the Atlantic provinces. His home was filled with musicians—friends he played with regularly—and family music-making was a constant. His wife often sang with him and even played bass, and Zinn himself moved easily between country, folk, and classical guitar.

For many years he performed in a variety of regional bands, playing weddings, anniversaries, New Year’s Eve dances, and community events in halls and country clubs across the Maritimes. His reliability as a backing musician, along with his gifts as a songwriter, made him a familiar figure in local country circles. He worked with fellow Atlantic Canadian artists including Edison Williams and Tom Hearn, the latter contributing one of the songs later recorded on Zinn’s debut album.

That album, The World’s Worst Yodeler, was released on Afton/Fivetake Group Productions and recorded at Audio Atlantic in Halifax. Produced by Grant Kennedy and engineered by Dr. Al Feeney, it presented Zinn “front and centre” for the first time, after years of his songs being recorded by others and his musicianship supporting countless performers. The LP blends original compositions—such as “Home to Me,” “The Wishing Well,” “The Valley of Evangeline,” and the title track—with material by Marty Robbins, Leroy Van Dyke, and Cy Coben. The liner notes emphasize his warm delivery, smooth style, and the easy, foot-tapping quality that defined his performances.

Outside the studio, Zinn continued performing for many years, with his most recent band being Code 3, formed with a colleague he taught alongside at the Nova Scotia Community College. Even after stepping back from full-time performing, he remained connected to his instruments; he recently brought out his red 1968 Gretsch Chet Atkins Nashville guitar and repaired it himself.

Today, Zinn is remembered by his family as a dedicated musician, a natural entertainer, and a steady presence whose playing shaped both community stages and the musical life of his home. His daughter recalls waiting up on Saturday nights hoping he’d return from gigs with Chinese food, and she credits both her parents for filling their house with music. As his wife entered full-time care due to dementia, Bonnie and her father have spent more time together, revisiting memories and the songs that defined their family’s life.

This biography will be updated further as more details become available and as Don Zinn shares additional memories of his career.
-Robert Williston

Produced by Grant Kennedy for Media Artists Services / Fivetake Group Productions Limited
Engineered by Dr. Al Feeney
Recorded at Audio Atlantic, Halifax, Nova Scotia

Artwork by Fivetake Group Productions Limited

Liner notes:
Don Zinn is becoming a familiar name in the music field. In the past he has gained his popularity as a song writer and versatile back up musician but the time has come for Don to step out "front and centre" with his own album.

Many country greats have recorded Don Zinn songs in the past and many more have had musical backing by Don. It was these talents that created the enthusiastic interest in recording this, his first, album.

Don's country style has a warmth and smoothness that will turn any head and start your foot to tappin'.

Congratulations to a great artist for a terrific performance.

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