Jon Dodson's career was deeply intertwined with that of The King's Men, a renowned quartet he was a part of from 1930 onwards. This four-piece ensemble, comprising Ken Darby (Arranger & Bass),Rad Robinson (Baritone),Jon Dodson (Lead Tenor),and Bud Linn (Top Tenor),was a staple of the Paul Whiteman Orchestra on RCA records and the Kraft Music Hall from 1934 to 1937.
During this period, they frequently appeared alongside other prominent orchestra leaders, including the iconic Rudy Vallee. Their musical talents were showcased in numerous feature films, including the 1929 film Sweetie, where they performed the song "My Sweeter than Sweet"; the 1934 film Hollywood Party, featuring the song "Feelin' High"; the 1930 film Let's Go Native, which they also helped to title; and the 1934 film Belle of the Nineties, where they sang "Troubled Waters".
Their filmography continued to grow, with appearances in Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938),Murder at the Vanities (1934),Lovely One, and The Wizard of Oz (1939),in which they provided the off-screen vocals for the Lollipop Guild. On-screen, they were often remembered as the singing cowboys of the Hopalong Cassidy films. In the 1939 film Honolulu, the King's Men even had the opportunity to play the role of the Marx Brothers, with Dodson portraying Chico.
In addition to their work in film, The King's Men were associated with the Music Department at Disney Studios, where they contributed to the soundtracks of Make Mine Music (1946) and Pinocchio (1940). They were also a regular feature on the long-running radio show "Fibber McGee & Molly". The King's Men's legacy extended even further, as they served as the foundation for the Ken Darby Singers, who appeared on John Charles Thomas' "Westinghouse Broadcasts" and numerous Decca phonograph records, including Bing Crosby's original recording of "White Christmas".
