Skeets Yaney (16 June 1912 - 22 January 1978) was a hillbilly singer and songwriter and radio performer, billed as the “Golden Voice Yodeller.,” He was part of the Skeets and Frankie duo and the National Champion Hillbillies group. He later made the transition to being a successful disc jockey.
Born Clyde Alexander Yaney in Mitchell, Indiana, and inheriting the nickname “Skeets” from an older brother Jim, he started in to win acclaim and attention at an early age. Being judged the best entertainer in southern Indiana when he was but six years of age…playing the harmonica and singing. Skeets could not read a note of music when he got his guitar. But over time, writing some 30 songs, he said of how he did it, "I learned to read music like a foreigner learns a language. You keep looking at it long enough and you learn to read it. I couldn't write any symphonies, but I can write the lead notes."
In late 1931, news articles begin to mention Skeets as part of a group lead by Hobo Bill (Raymond Srygler). The group proved to be a popular act on WGBF as it had reportedly received 1,663 complimentary letters in care of WGBF. Skeets himself is said to have received as many as 60 letters for requests in one day; those letters were from Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and other states. He also said that as a youngster, Skeets practically lived on the streets. He was known to have a cheerful disposition and would always be seen singing, whistling or blowing a French Harp. The local folks always looked forward to their program on the radio as they wanted to know how their local talent was doing.
In the summer of 1933, the local Indiana paper indicated that Skeets was being heard daily on various programs over KMOX as a 'singer and yodeler.' In fact he was known as the “Golden Voiced Yodeler.” Playing guitar and harmonica, Yaney became very well known, owing in part to his skills as a songwriter and, chiefly, as a radio disc jockey. It was around 1935 or so that Skeets met another performer who would become a musical partner. Frankie Taylor saw him at a local night club and asked if he could sit in with him the following night. Frankie played the piano that night. The next night, he brought his accordion and they began their long partnership, singing hillbilly music on radio, chiefly on KMOX in St. Louis, Missouri.
He secured the gig with KMOX by simply turning up at the studio at five in the morning, making himself available until seven, and then leaving and going to his day job on a local construction site. This led to work presenting commercials and he was soon in demand for slots through the day and the construction work was history. He was heard on the popular Saturday evening barn dance, Pappy Cheshire's Gang, broadcast live from the studio, and on Sundays he happily sang hymns over the air.
By the 1940’s, Skeets had won seven national yodeling championships. He was also declared one of the best dressed performers due to his wardrobe. It was reported that Skeets and his band, the Grand Champions, often got the choicest fair dates and various events in the Missouri area.Cowboy Music World ran a popularity poll in 1945. A total of 18 performers were listed as candidates for Top Yodeler. Roy Rogers finished first in this poll. Others in the top 7, in order, were Gene Autry, Jackie Osborne, Elton Britt, Wilf Carter, Skeets Yaney and Tumbleweed Ludy.
It was in the 1940’s that Yaney and Taylor operated two bars, one in St. Louis, the other in Gravois. He made live appearances at these establishments and elsewhere, sometimes leading his National Champion Hillbillies. For over a decade Skeets had a loyal sponsor of his shows on KMOX. Uncle Dick Slack had a furniture business and he sponsored the shows. There was a "Slack's Barn Dance" show as well. In October of 1954, Skeets took a position at another St. Louis radio station at KXLW and he also appeared on WEW.
In January 1951, Billboard reported that Columbia Records had made changes to its country and western roster. They added about eight new artists / groups. But also dropped several. Of those dropped were. Skeets Yaney and Frankie Taylor, so Skeets signed with M-G-M in early 1951 and had a moderately successful hit with ‘Forever And Always’.
He was twice named Mr. Deejay U.S.A.; additionally, WSM, Nashville, named him Most Popular Deejay In The Country. The radio work kept Yaney busy and prosperous for some two decades. Around October of 1960, Skeets joined the staff of KSTL with an afternoon show. In 1973, Skeets recorded a couple of tunes for the Golden Country label. Johnny Rion was co-writer with Skeets on both tunes; Pappy Cheshire was another writer listed on "Hit the Trail."
He was with KSTL for some 19 years and later suffering with cancer, remained on the station until his death on 22 January 1978. In 1980, two years after his death, Yaney was inducted into the Country Music Deejay Hall of Fame.
(Edited from Hillbilly Music & AllMusic)