The New York Clipper (December 1914)

6 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER. Decembeb 3;> BE8T WISHES TO ALL OUR FRIENDS FOR A MERRY XMAS FROM JOHN W. GAL VI A VINCENT H. NA ■. PLAYING VAUDEVILLE, THANKS, WITH OUR NOVELTY PIANO OFFERING ALSO Several of Our New 8ong Number* Will Be Released on Jan. I. 80 Get In Line and Get Some Real Novelties from Our Publisher OEO. J. KOCH CO., 1431 Broadway, Third Floor Front, Now York City ILBERT LAD REETINCS AN HOUR WITH JEFF BRAWER. THE ART OF PLUGGING. "Hello, Jeff." "Hello, Jack." "How's business?" "Great." ,_ „ "Been a grand old year for you, nasnt It?" "Tiptop." "How's 'Valley of the Moon" selling?" "Bettor than ever." "And 'More Thau the World to Me' ?" "Running neck and neck with 'Volley.'" "That's remarkable." . " 'The Eyes of the World,* too, Is coming along fast—thaulu to you, Jack.' "Don't thank mo. Thank Tim CLiprBB.' "Well, I jUBt can't help thanking some- one. En It be Mike Morris, then." "Which of the three songs do you like DM be "V think I Into The Pick of the Family" best" "Oh, yes. That's a great song, but do you think Joo Morris Co. can cako a comedy song* They'ro strong on ballads, but— "They're strong on any kind of a song when you show them. But they must be shown. Born In Hannibal, you know. "Then it's op to you." , "Positively." "Not a bad Idea." "Great idea. The arm plays no favorites When it comes to spending their otd money, consequently if my song shows first, I m the lucky one." <«,-.., "Anything new for 101B? "A bunch of 'em." "Any good?" "Never can tell." , ., „, "Who's writing your melodies? "UUIe Arthur Lange." "Not good—great. Best little fellow in the "%SW a lot of him, don't you, Jeff?" "Well. I tattle with him. When I battle with a fellow that's a sign I like Mm. "Same thing apply to business? 1 'I'xnctl v " "Then you must Hke the music business?" "You said it. By the way, Jack. I wrote a new Wilson song—" "Uncork It." __. _ T/ _,„___ "Here, here, snpress that stuff. "Tommy Gray heard that ona. Uncork it! Cant be done, and besides, don't you know I'm aboard * S Yes° k that's so-I forgot. But go on Jeff and tell me about your Wilson song. "It's about Woodrow Wilson.' "Yes, yes, I know—go on." "Do you think It wIbo to recite It to Pe ^'fl'tell you better after I bear it." "Oh. it's not that bad. Somebody might •teal It." "Then its really good?" "Great I" "Let's have it. "Gee. I don't know whether I'm doing the wise thing or not, nevertheless, hero she ■Ml "to woonnow wiison. "I've never tried to meet you, Cause I feel a bit obscure, iBut If I should want to meet you, I am absolutely sure That If I had business with you That was really worn the while. You'd forget that you were President And meet mc with n smile." "Can I nm that in our Xmna Number?" "Sure I What do you suppose I recited It for?" "This goes In Melody Lane." "Hero's snother." "About Wilson?" "No." "Shoof "I Bald what be sold I said to him And I said a whole lot more. I think I said some things to him That were never said before. I said snld I, "You're no gentleman," When ho offered mo his hand. But I said It all In « language That ho didn't understand?' "That ought to make a good war ditty." "Here's another —" "Oh, wait—that's enough. You know I haven't seen Thco. Morse yet. 1 must re- serve some space for something good." "Ah. now you're talking of the very best. Some boy, that Theodore. Give him oil the space you can spare. He's worthy of it." "Funny bow you old timers bang to- gether." "Nothing ancient about us other than our tlrth certificates." . "So you're going home for the holidays?" "I sure nm. T ' "Whew do jour folks Hvo Jeff?" "On a farm In the heart of Illinois ten miles from a railroad. God's country. I wish you could see It Jack. Why, It's Im- possible to live back there In that Garden of Farndlsp without becoming poetic." "Which accounts for your—" "No, don't say that, Jack, I left homo too soon." "Well, Jeff, here's hoping you write a dozen bits between now and this time next 7e "Thanks. Jack, but If 1015 does as well by me as 1014, I'm satisfied." 'Mderry Xmas and Happy New Tear, if I don't see you before you go West" "Same to yon, Jack, and forty more of em." "When will you be back?" "Wrrt of the year." 'flo long—" "8o long. Jack." ISY DOB RCS8AK. Well, If anyone thinks plugging songs Is easy they're crazy. Of course I got fat doing It, but etlll you can't blame me for sticking to It because I never made money easier than when I became a full fledged plugger, Let me assure you that It Isn't as easy these days as It was when I used to sing from the boxes with such stars as Maud Raymond, at the Atlantic Garden, Canal Street and the .Bowery, something llk<> fifteen years ago, and also with Lottie OUson, Madge 'Fox and many others. Yes. I agree with you, I'm getting old, but I still will give any of those young fel- lows a run for their money. I can t possibly forget tbe first day I was sent out for an act. I was at that time with the Consolidated Music Co., at 10 Union Square, when Sey- mour Furth w»b manager. The boys were of an opinion that I wouldn't make good, and said, "here's a fellow that wouldn't last long, bow's about playing a Joke on him?" Well, there was an act playing at Anderson's Hilber's Theatre, Fourteenth 8treet, the act was called Dixon, Bowers and Dixon. They were working at this theatre at the time doing acrobatic stunts. The boys told me to be sure and see this act about a song, and also If I got a song In their act It would make me strong with the boss. Well, I would do anything at that time to make good (I was eo very ambitious), so I pushed my way through, rather fought my way through past the doorman and got in, to find, to my disgust, that these people were acrobats, but of course I wasn't tbe kind that would lose courage so quickly, and bo I tried to convince them that they could Blng one of my songs, and Just like myself succeeded In taking them back with me to the office. After playing every song we ever had listed In our catalogue for them they finally con- sented to alng one comedy number of ours. Well, tho number was a great, Wg success, and the laugh was on the boys, and not on me, and here's tbe little saying that found a place In my mind, "don't Judge people from outward appearances, for nine times out of every ten looks are deceiving." Well, now I thought I was somebody and I went and saw another act at the Star Theatre, Thir- teenth Street end Broadway, at that time melodrama was ■playing there. The name of the show I was after was ''Engine 999." I used every bit of energy I ever had to try and see them, but was always unsuccessful. Each time I was greeted by the doorman with a left to the Jaw. I was determined. I made up my mind I had to see them, and I did, but how? He then confidently told me that he was training to take part the com- ing Saturday night In a prlas fight, and, also, that there was a lot of special acts In the show, and also told me to call back Friday and try and see them then ; by ac- cident more than by Instinct I sylpped the bouse on [Friday, but returned to tho office on Saturday morning and found that one of the boys of the house-made the theatre. (At once I went over to the hospital to see him). Neither of us made the house again. Here's a funny Incident I came across while in the plugging business. Sam Mltnlk went in the music ouslness as a plugger. Mar Silver told Sam to go up to the New York Theatre and see the "Three Musketeers." Sam not knowing It was a picture stood at the stage door in anticipation of seeing them when they finished their act. Tho doorman iust came out and naturally asked him what e wanted, Sam, bo unconcerned and Indiffer- ently, answered, "why. I want to see the Three Musketeers." The doorman laughed nnd walked away leaving him standing their. He waited and waited until he grew tired, and went back to tho office and told Max he couldn't sec them. What do you think of this? Mltnlk Is still living. Sam Levy banded me a laugh at one time. Ho went to sec an act at one of the theatres. Tho doorman told him that tbe act was dressing In room sixteen, namely on tbe top floor. Well. Sam had to see this act. so he started on -his long Journey. Ho was very fat, and on each landing he had to stop to catch his breath. Much to his surprise, by the time ho got to the dressing room the act bad gone twenty minutes ego. The different ways the pluggers speak to acts Is exceedingly humorous. Franklin Wal- lace says, "Come down I have a great oblo- gatn for you." George Green soys, "If you don't pome down and sec tho boss I will lose my job." Eddie I*wls says "Do you know what this means to me?" Ben Albert says. "Maurice Is a good boy, give him a chance." Ben Edwnrds says, "M you only knew what harmony I havo for you on .that song." So, to alt those that have ambitions to become a great plugger, pay heed to ono who has spent sixteen years of suffering, Informs yon that he who cntera this game smilingly will very shortly have his merry smile turned into a perpetual frown and his brown locks of hair turned to silver gray. "'WAY DOWN BAST" A SPLENDID NUMBER. One of the feature numbers that Harry Von Tllte.- Intends to go after (be coming year Is tbat cyclonic Western: bit, "'Way Down East." It has been the talk of Chi- cago for many weeks, and Harry thinks so well of tho number that he has Instructed his professional staff to lose no time In setting acts to pot it on. It's an original Idea, and will most likely prove a clean-up. MAX, NOT MAURICE. Ad error Id type-setting In last week's issue had Maurice Bitter dead. It should have read Max Hitter, aa Maurice Is very much on the Job In Chicago boosting the Feist publications. AN INTERVIEW WIIH LEWIS F. MUIR. "Jim," said his nibs, "run around to tbe F. A. Mills office and spend about thirty minutes with Mulr. I want to know what be has to say about that new song every- body's talking about." Then bis nibs looked around. Now Jim had Just ducked out. and tbe office was empty, except for me—and they accuse me of being tbe gTeenest reporter whose wings Thh CLirPKB ever clipped. "Well, Cherub," said the boss, with a grin, "I guess It's up to you." "What—me? Why, I don't know Mr. Mulr. He wouldn't talk to a beginner like me." "Oh, forget It Just run around there and see." I ran around. A man turning Into Forty-eighth Street from Broadway is like a ship tacking through some perilous strait. If he escapes the Scyua of Clancy's Cafe on one corner he Is likely to succumb to the Charybdls of Martin's on the other. Successfully resisting both these temp- tations to conviviality, I mounted a flight of stairs over which appeared the golden legend. F. A. Mills Music Publishing Co., and asked tbe young man who met me at tbe top, for the office of Lewis F. Mulr, "the Music Master of Melody Lane." "Come right-in," called a friendly voice from two doors down the hall, "I heard you out there. You're the new reporter, aren't you? The boys were telling me about you." This friendly individual who seemed to be so strangely familiar with my work wag a tall, lanky man with a strange and expresive countenance. I wondered what he was doing in the office of a music publisher—he looked more like a member of tbe clergy. "Thank you very much, sir," I said, "I do certainly appreciate your kindness, If you will tell me where to nnd Lewis F. Mulr I'll appreciate it still more." He laughed. "Max," he said to a gentle- man who Just then looked in at the door, "tell this young man who I am." "Lewis F. Mulr," said the gentleman—and then the interview began. I hope & always find tbe people I have to Interview so easy to meet and so courteous to a beginner. "So you want to know about tbe new song," began (Mr. Mulr—or perhaps I should say "Lew," as everybody seems to call him that. "And, of course, I'm glad to tell you about It, because I'm sincere In thinking it's the very best thing we ever had, and I am glad for my friends in the profession to learn about it. We call It a sentimental, childhood, novelty ballad—that's a weighty name tag, but tbe song deserves It Now. of course, you know that I have always held the theory that a composer ought to be quite Independent of the lyrics—but I will Bay that In this particular case the words of the song were written first—and, believe me, they were good enough to inspire a melody even from a man who had never produced one before." "And you have produced them before?" I Interrupted, thinking of "That Barber Shop Chords ''HItchy Koo" and "Waiting for the Robert B. Lee." "Yes, sure Bure. but believe me, this Is the best. It's title Is 'Turn tbe Honda Back, Father Time'" "Oh. why that's the song I heard — sing last right at the —. She got more applause on It than anything else she sang. Say, that was great I But pardon my Interrup- tion." "Always ghd to pardon a boost," he smiled. "And It Is true that the song makes a big hit wherever sung. I have lots of friends In the profession who ore coming to hear It, and I expect a number of them will soon be using it "That Is one compensation for being a 'rag- time king.' Believe mc, son, I never make any mistakes about classing myself with Bee- thoven, Wagner or Chopin as a composer. I couldn't do their kind of stuff, and if I did I'd lose all footllght frlendB. That sort of music wouldn't get across on the vaudeville circuits. The other kind does—It's lighter; appeals more quickly to the feet—and I hope as long as I live I'll still have the knack of producing syncopated melodies, and then my friends on tie stage will keep coining around to sea me." "Isn't It true," I asked, "that Liszt and Dvorak often syncopated their time?" "Sure they did." said the M. M. of M. L.. "but you never hear their songs warbled at Keith's or Hnmmerstetn's. And vou'll hear 'Father Time Turning the Hands Back' there next week." "That wasn't such a difficult assignment," said I to myself as I started down the steps; and I felt so jleased and flattered by the kind reception of Lewis F. Mulr that I forthwith succumbed to the temptations of Charybdls —or was it Scylla?" MARTIN A CUP WINNER. Charlie Mnrtlo, he with the happy smile, Is quite some booster for the Tell Taylor publications. Charlie, besides bringing In acts for the firm, 1b also a song contest singer, and has copped several cups with Andy Sterling's new number, "You Till the Judgment Day." AL. B. WHITE IN CHICAGO. Al. B. Wblte, who opens In Chicago shortly In vaudeville, ts doing some wonderful boost- ing for the Maurice Abrahams songs In tho West With the assistance of tbe Chicago office staff of the Maurice Abrahams Mosic Company. A], has pot over some wonderfol things. It is through his efforts that "When the Grown-Tjp Ladles Act Like Babies" is Bach • hit In that part of the country. At • song demonstrator he Is known as one of the bolt la tho business, and was Instrn- mtntal In making "Get Out ana Get Under." Here's to Jack Edward May My Little Voice Be Joined With the Best of the "Boys" In Wishing Him the Beat the World Can Give. He Osvt Us Oar FIRST and ONLY Melody Lane. He Has Always Given Us All a SQUARE DEAL I EARL CARROLL s MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR PROFESSIONAL FRIENDS Maurice Abrahams AND AL Wohlman i MAURICE ABRAHAMS MUSIC COMPANY No, I haven't got a "swelled head," but they say I have turned out more "real" ballad hits than any of the modern writers. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Al. Piantadosi MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO THE BUNCH SMILING MOE KLEEMAN PROFESSIONAL HIGH. MAURICE RICHMOND CO. Wishing You All A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year EUGENE PLATZMANN aa* WEST 47th STREET, NEW YORK CITY. ARRANGER OF 1,000 HITS HEARD THE NEW ONE? £ OVER MINK GEORGE BOTSFORD :rrv christm wm BOB RUSSA ASS'T MGR. SHAPIRO-BERNSTEIN CO. I think I am the greatest "Plugger" In the world, and I don't eare who knows It. MERRY XMAS. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND THE BEST THAT THE LAND AFFORDS FOR THE COMING YEAR JACK 1YIAHONEY "The Publisher of Clean Song" Woat 45th St., NEW YORK Merry Xmas and Happy New Tear to All My Professional Friends JOE HOLLENDER GSNL. MGR. FOR TELL TAYLOR MERRY XMA8 AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE HUSTLING LITTLE BOOSTER JACK ROBBINS WITH MAURICE RICHMOND CO. NATHAN TRAVELING FOR RICHMOND. iH. Herman Nathan, traveling representa- tive for th 0 Manrlce Richmond Music Com- pany, will shortly start on a telling tour through the State, and will be gone (or several weeks. Nathan Is a cracker Jack man. and should have little difficulty In get- ting large orders tor "Yon Are the Hose of My Heart." the firm's feature song. DEN RICHMOND TO STAGE SHOW. Ben Richmond, of the A W. Ooettlng Majlc Co, Is going to put on a song writers? night In the Borough Park Clubhouse, Satur- day evening, Dec. 29. Almost every com- poser of note will attend. So !( you bare not already seen Ben, get in line. PUBLISHERS NOTICE. Tbe College Book Store, of Kingston, iv.n.. writes me that there would be a tremcu wu» sale of a patriotic number (Canadina or English) throughout Canada. I. Nash, taj manager of the above company, also s that he thinks there would be a ready of over one hundred thousand copies. THIS GIRL IS THERE. Gertrude Baom. pianist and demooitrnW for Jos. W. Stem A Co.. has made a v.-u able assistant to L. Wolfe Gilbert since -J" well known boy took charge of the S Wg* slonal department. Gertrude, beside t,owe a competent pianist, has a personality t.as brings her In favor eevrywhere. le-