Insight
Donna Wilhelm was a Saskatchewan gospel and inspirational vocalist whose only known album, Donna — The Favorites, was privately released in 1980. Born and raised in Cabri, Saskatchewan, Wilhelm began singing at the age of ten, performing at weddings, variety programs, Robbie Burns Nights, amateur hours and other local events. Her early musical life was rooted in community performance, including Cabri’s girls’ chorus, The Roulettes, and the United Church choir.
As her voice developed, Wilhelm became active in music festivals across southern Saskatchewan, appearing in Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon, and receiving further vocal training in Swift Current and Regina. While living in Swift Current, she sang with the women’s chorus The Goldinaires and was featured as their soloist.
Wilhelm’s most prominent early break came in 1959, when she was chosen to represent Saskatchewan on CBC-TV’s cross-Canada talent program Talent Caravan. She travelled through regional stages in Regina, Edmonton and Vancouver before reaching the national finals in Toronto, where she placed third and earned a guest soloist appearance on the Winnipeg television program The House That Jack Built. During the Christmas season, she also appeared weekly on Don Hoskins’ Christmas program over CJFB-TV in Swift Current.
By the time Donna — The Favorites was recorded, Wilhelm and her husband Ron were living on a farm near Webb, Saskatchewan, with their two daughters. Music remained central to her home and community life, and she continued her church music work in nearby Gull Lake, later being remembered for her involvement with the Gull Lake Gospel Choir.
Recorded at Studio West Canada in Saskatoon in January 1980, Donna — The Favorites collected gospel, sacred and inspirational standards including “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” “The Lord’s Prayer,” “Morning Has Broken” and “One Day at a Time.” The album was made in response to years of requests from friends and relatives who had encouraged her to preserve her voice on record.
A modest private pressing, Donna — The Favorites stands as a personal document of a prairie singer whose career grew out of church choirs, local festivals, televised talent programs and the musical life of small-town Saskatchewan.
-Robert Williston
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The Favorites
Media
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Credits
Musicians
Donna Wilhelm: all vocals
J. Kirkpatrick: electric bass
Brent Burlingham: drums
David Staples: keyboards
Songwriting
'If I Can Help Somebody' arranged by David Staples
'You Light Up My Life' words and music by Joe Brooks
'Stranger of Galilee' written by Mrs. C. H. Morris; arranged by Mable Sturgis
'I’ll Walk With God' words by Paul Webster; music by Nicholas Brodszky
'Father of Love' written by Emma Richie and Otis Gruber
'How Great Thou Art' written by Stuart K. Hine
'Morning Has Broken' words by Eleanor Farjeon; arranged by Cat Stevens
'The Lord’s Prayer' written by Albert Hay Malotte
'In the Garden' written by C. Austin Miles
'Count Your Blessings' words by Edith Temple; music by Reginald Morgan
'One Day at a Time' words and music by Marijohn Wilkin and Kris Kristofferson
'He' lyrics by Richard Mullan; music by Jack Richards
'Amazing Grace' written by John Newton
'Mansion Over the Hilltop' words and music by Ira Stanphill
Production
Arrangements by David Staples
Album co-ordination through Studio West Canada Limited, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Technical
Recorded at Studio West Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Recorded January 27, 28, 30, 1980
Engineered by Gerry Golla and Rick Switzer
Artwork
Cover photo by F.T.T.
Album design by Studio West
Label and matrix/runout
24 track
Studio West Canada
Liner notes
Donna “Celebrates Saskatchewan” with the release of her new record “Donna — The Favorites”. Donna recorded this album in response to requests from friends and relatives who have asked her many times over the years to record.
Born and raised in Cabri, Saskatchewan, Donna started singing when only 10 years old — singing at weddings, variety programs, Robbie Burns Nights, Amateur Hours, etc. etc. Her singing and musical career continued to blossom with participation in a girl’s chorus in Cabri (“The Roulettes”) and the United Church Choir. Soon she was bringing home awards from Music Festivals up and down the “Empress Line”. This success lead her to Swift Current where she took vocal training.
It was on to festivals in Moose Jaw, Regina and Saskatoon — representing Southern Saskatchewan in competitions in Saskatoon — and then returning to Regina for more vocal training.
In Swift Current she sang with a ladies chorus called the “Goldinaires” and was their soloist.
In 1959 things really started happening for Donna. She was chosen to represent Saskatchewan in the cross-Canada Talent Show called “Talent Caravan” on CBC-TV, and travelled to Regina, Edmonton, Vancouver and finally to Toronto for the Canadian Finals! Here, she was awarded third place and a guest soloist spot on the then-current television program “The House That Jack Built” from Winnipeg.
During the Christmas season she appeared weekly on the “Don Hoskins’ Xmas Program” over CJFB-TV in Swift Current.
Donna and her husband Ron live on a farm at Webb, Sask., and have two daughters. Music is obviously a part of their home life as well, and Donna continues her choir work in the United Church choir in Gull Lake.
Through this record Donna expresses her thanks to the people who have helped her all these years, to her music teachers, accompanists, and her family for encouraging her to continue her music career. A special thanks to Studio West in Saskatoon, the producer, the back up group, and all those involved in making this album.
This adds another wonderful experience to her book of memories.
Singing these songs has been an inspiration to me. I sincerely hope listening to them will bring back fond memories and that you will enjoy the record as much as I have enjoyed making it for you…
Donna — Olmick-Wilhelm
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