The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

94 The Talking Machine World, New York, February, 1928 Jack Kapp, Vocalion Sales and Recording Director, Inaugurates New Policies Newly Appointed Executive Makes Complete Change in Development of Vocalion Line— Records to Be Merchandised in Specific Classes Which Will Be Released Separately J. E. Henderson, record sales manager of the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Co., recently announced that Jack Kapp has been placed in complete charge of the sales and recording of Jack Kapp Vocalion records. Mr. Kapp is known throughout the industry and is one of the most enthusiastic and energetic young executives in the business to-day. He is thoroughly conversant with the record business from every angle and his appointment to this responsible position is the logical result of the unusual success he has had with the Vocalion line since he became associated with the Brunswick Co. some time ago. One of the first moves made by Mr. Kapp since his appointment has been the inauguration of a complete change in the development of the Vocalion line. The new plan is original with Mr. Kapp and is designed to meet existing conditions in the record industry. Vocalion records will be merchandised in specific classes. For example, he will separate the race records, the old-time tunes and the popular records into individual classes. These records will be released separately and special dealer helps and merchandising literature will be prepared for each individual class. In that way the dealer whose business is concentrated on any one or two of these classes can devote his activity to the type of records which he finds to be in greatest demand. Mr. Kapp is also developing new talent for the Vocalion catalog, among them, the "Tear Voiced Tenor from the South" Elmo Tanner, and Dick Powell, another tenor who is very, popular in Indiana. Mr. Kapp's new plan of having but one monthly release of individual groups of records has already been announced to the trade and has met with enthusiastic reception, and his new artists have been immediately accepted. One of the "finds" of Mr. Kapp has been "The Original Kansas City Jim Jackson," whose first record of the "Kansas City Blues" has been one of the quickest and biggest selling "blues" records released in years. Another popular Vocalion record has been the well-known "When the Roses Bloom Again" by McFarland & Gardner, of which one Chicago State street dealer sold over 20,000. Mr. Kapp, in addition to his qualification as a record executive, has a full knowledge of music, so that he is able to direct and arrange the routine for an orchestra in a manner that will appeal to his trade. He is responsible for the enormous popularity of "Someday Sweetheart," which he discovered and arranged, after the tune had been definitely consigned to the scrap heap, and through Mr. Kapp's arrangement, as it was recorded, "Someday Sweetheart" became a national hit. One of the biggest-selling record dance organizations in the country today, Red Nichols and His Five Pennies, was brought to Brunswick by Mr. Kapp. Mr. Kapp will direct the supervision of releasing, development of talent, directing of recording, merchandising of records and the planning of sales campaigns. Associated with him in this work is Charles Biesel, who was appointed some time ago to maintain contact with the jobbers. In contrast to Brunswick's method of distributing records through branches, Vocalion will be handled exclusively through jobbers. Thus far, under Mr. Kapp's direction, an imposing list of jobbers has already been developed and he is confident that before very long this list will have increased to a much greater length. The present Vocalion jobber organization includes the Cleveland Phonograph Co., Cleveland, O.; Davitt & Hanser Music Co., Cincinnati, O.; Elion Bros. Furniture Co., El Paso, Tex.; Hassler Texas Co., Dallas, Tex.; Harbison Mfg. Co., Kansas City, Mo.; Heeb Co., Dubuque, la.; Northwestern Phonograph Supply Co., St. Paul, Minn.; Stewart Sales Co., Indianapolis, Ind. ; Jas. K. Polk Co., Memphis, Tenn.; Forbes Piano Co., Birmingham, Ala.; Phonograph Repair & Accessory Co., St. Louis, Mo.; Sterchi Bros., Bristol, Tenn.; Sterchi Bros., Knoxville, Tenn.; Sterchi Furniture & Carpet Co., Atlanta, Ga., and Sterchi Bros., Jacksonville, Fla. A photograph was broadcast from Kearny, N. J., to New York City recently, in four minutes, by means of the Cooley Rayfoto System, which was inaugurated at Station WOR. ffloadeasi The new idea for a Radio party Everybody likes the idea of fooling a group of friends that have gathered for the purpose of listening in to a special program. Just the thought of putting over an imitation program undetected sells them! List price $7.50 complete. BROOKLYN METAL STAMPING CORP., 720 Atlantic Ave., -: Brooklyn, N. Y. Radio Cabinet for Manufacturers and Distributors In connection with a new line of high-class radio furniture which has just been announced to the trade, the Superior Cabinet Corp., New Superior Cabinet Model 401 York, has designed a special model, illustrated herewith, for manufacturers and distributors only. This is model 401, in maple overlays on genuine butt walnut. The dimensions are, height inches, width 30^ inches, depth 17j4 inches, panel overall size 25^4 inches wide, lfJMs inches high. It is equipped with the RCA 100A loud speaker, and is on exhibition at the Superior Cabinet Corp.'s New York showrooms. The general Superior line includes a variety of cabinets, tables, spinets and consoles in both walnut and decorative artistic models, designed to accommodate any AC electric set. The RCA 100A loud speaker is standard equipment in all Superior models. The Superior factory and production facilities were recently enlarged, according to B. J. Greenbaum, executive head of the organization, who states that prompt deliveries can be made on orders of any quantity. Hartzell Sales Go. Main Offices Are Now in Chicago The Hartzell Sales Co., through its president, C. C. Hartzell, recently announced that the principal office of the company is now located at 508 South Dearborn street, Chicago, 111. The Hartzell organization has for the past several years maintained its headquarters in New York with a branch office in Chicago and sales representatives in twenty-one cities throughout the country. Montomery Ward & Co. to Extend Chain Stores Chicago, III., February 10. — Plans for one of the largest retail chain store developments ever undertaken, were announced recently by Montgomery Ward & Co., mail order house of this city. The stores will carry radio receivers, furniture, house furnishings, and other lines. The Montgomery Ward organization has been experimenting in the chain store field for the past eighteen months and now operates fifty stores. It expects to have 150 by the end of 1928. President George B. Everitt states that the company plans to establish stores in the 1500 towns above 5,000 population in the United States.