Robert Stemmons - The Whistler

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma September 27, 1956, Robert Stemmons began whistling at five. When legendary whistler Fred Lowery, who twice headlined at Carnegie Hall, performed at his school in 1969, he was mesmerized and inspired. It was then he realized whistling is an excellent performing art.

Over the next twenty years, Robert worked hard, perfecting his instrument and teaching himself techniques, which would include vibrato, staccato, tremolo, warbling, harmony warbling, trilling, two-note harmony, and more. He additionally learned to make many realistic bird sounds. These are now trademarks of his concerts.

One afternoon in 1994, Robert was "whistling while he worked" in a school and was overheard by the music teacher. She asked him to perform as a guest in an upcoming show. In his first real performance, he did a blues number. The enthusiastic response received from that flagship performance encouraged him to follow his dream.

Robert would also like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the World's Most Famous Whistler - Ronnie Ronalde - and his wife Rosemarie for their generous and continued encouragement and support.

Robert Stemmons has been featured countless times by newspapers, radio, and television all over the world. Since 2006 Robert has been working with Cirque du Soleil as "The Loyal Whistler" in their touring show "Corteo". He has toured the United States, Canada, Japan, Russia, Belgium, Austria, France, and is now in Spain.

 

Here's a few whistling related links:

 

Ronnie Ronalde
www.ronnieronalde.com  - The world's most famous whistler.

Sean Lomax
www.whistleon.com - The original "Loyal Whistler" of Corteo.

Roger Whittaker
www.rogerwhittaker.com - Legendary singer and whistler.

Early 1900's Whistling Music
http://besmark.com/whis.html - Excellent recordings from Victrola (1904 - 1922)