Don Varner

I am a performing and recording artist of Soul Music, Rythm and Blues and Contemporary Gospel. I am also a writer. My career started in the late sixties, early seventies. I enjoy what I do tremendously and and I am always excited about reaching the audiences with my music all over the world.

-Don Varner - Biography- Don Varner was born in Birmingham (Alabama) and started to write and perform as a student in High School. Don and his group were noticed by a Manager during their senior year. After graduating, they started to go on the road. By the time the group broke up, Don had acquired a solid stage experience and went on with a solo career. Don was very active as a songwwriter and a performer, always where things were happening. He left Alabama for Chicago where he spent six years. During this time, he was very visible on the club scene and never stopped performing. He came back to Alabama at a time when major entertainers, like the Temptations, had been discovered there among many, and also when the Muscle Shoals sound was it. After hearing one of his recordings, Quin Ivy put Don on his label. Don had contacts which allowed him to meet many entertainers and executives from major record companies. One of the songs co-written by Don, which Jerry Wexler, from Atlantic Records liked, was recorded by Sam and Dave at Muscle shoals. Of all the recordings that Don Varner did in Muscle Shoals, four titles were released on Quinvys label and distributed by South Camp. They were Tear Stained Face and Mojo Mama, the second one Masquerade and Down in Texas. At the time, Don was produced by Eddie Hinton and recorded with the studio musicians, Jimmy Johnson, David Hood, Spooner Oldham, Roger Hawkins, also of world fame. Two of his titles were released on Diamond Records and, through it all, never stopped performing on stage. In 1980, Don moved to Los Angeles, California, where he started a record label, Roaring Records, and released titles that he produced himself. In 1985, Don toured all the major European summer festivals, nice, Vienne, Montreux, La Hague, Pori and Canada, along with artists like B. B. King, Ray Charles, Fats Domino and Johnny Otis. In 1987, Don started to write Gospel Music. He defined his own style in that genre too, blending his powerful voice with years of Soul Music and the intensity of the message of the lyrics, making the final result a very unique musical experience. Today, Don is also a publisher with Ceevee Music and Gospel Truth Music Publishing, has his own label, Retour Records, on which he has released three Single CDs. As a performer and recording artist, Don has the status of a legend of Soul Music, specially among European audiences where his records never stopped being played. His explosive style allows him to fill a stage all by himself. His style has two components that cross any line: talent and quality, for which the public at large is still looking and sensitive to.

I am preparing for live performances, probably in Europe. Being on stage is still, and will always be, an extraordinary experience. Performing at Carneghie Hall was a very special moment in my career.

The greatest in Rythm and Blues and other styles. I was privileged to perform with the best through out my career.

NOTE FROM THE PUBLISHER: Don Varner passed away on October 7th, 2002. As his widow and publisher, I chose to keep his music - his legacy - available to all the fans who have been so faithful through the years. I would like to thank the staff of SoundClick for allowing us to that through their site also. We are very touched by the fact that Don's music still touches lives and to know that some still discover and love his music, his voice, all the many facets of his talent. We maintain a site at http://www.donvarneronline.org where more information about Don Varner is available. Last year, in May, a new CD was released on the RPM Label "SHOUT", titled Finally Got Over. This CD is a compilation which includes all of Don Varner's recordings and is a great tribute to him as a Soul Music performer and recording artist. This is still a labour of love, and none of it would have been possible without the fans out there so, again, thanks to all of you for keeping Don Varner's music going strong.