According to the liner notes on his first album, Lewiston, Idaho's Robert O. ("Buzz") Goertzen worked for several years as a police officer in Boise, then moved into drug counseling and finally became a full-time preacher -- but not just any preacher, mind you, he was a singing, yodeling country music preacher!
Mr. Goertzen went on to self-release over a dozen albums, generally a mix of old-school secular yodeling/western songs and gospel material. Here's a quick look at his work...
Buzz Gertson "God Loves Country Music" (Ripcord Records, 1978-?) (LP)
On this album Mr. Goertzen helpfully misspells his own name as "Gertson" on the cover, presumably to help the more phonetically-minded among us, but he spells it properly on the song credits. This album features a few country-gospel oldies, along with more contemporary numbers, including several that Goertzen co-wrote or adapted. The album includes novelty gems such as "Jesus Put A Yodel In My Heart" and "This Motor Home Is In God's Hands," as well as "I Don't Sing Those Songs Anymore." The pickin' is pretty good, while Goertzen has a slightly reedy voice, as well as a dewy-eyed disposition which all reminds me of John Denver, albeit a yodelin'-mad John Denver! The religious lyrics are a little blunt and artless for my tastes, but whatever -- he's honest and sincere, and when you settle into it, this disc'll draw you in. Like many Ripcord releases, this doesn't give the year or any info on the musicians, but it seems to have come out around 1978.
Buzz Goertzen "The Idaho Yodeler" (Ripcord Records, 197--?) (LP)
(Produced by Gene Breeden & Ellis Miller)
Buzz Goertzen & Family "God's Love Call" (Family Records, 19--?) (LP)
(Produced by Blaine Allen, Gene Breeden, Ellis Miller, and Dan Duncan)
This was recorded along with Mr. Goerten's kids, Kelly and Tammy, and was also recorded at Ripcord Studios.
Buzz Goertzen "God Put A Yodel In My Heart" (19--?) (LP)
Alas, the musicians on this album aren't listed in the liner notes, though it was probably a flock of locals... Of interest are a couple of songs written by country gospel artist Penny Baker (who recorded at least one album of her own...) including the title track, "God Put A Yodel In My Heart." Also no date on this disc, though the albums above are pictured on this one's back cover....
