The talking machine world (Jan-June 1928)

The Talking Machine World, New York, February, 1928 109 R. F. Schelling Elected President of Radio Listeners of Western New York Business in Talking Machines and Radio Full)) Up to Expectations — Buffalo Radio Association Elects New Directors — 2,000 Compete in Federal Ortho-sonic Slogan Contest Finds E. B. Marks' Hits Popular in Cuban Capital Returning the middle of January from a wedding trip to Havana, Herbert E. Marks, of the Edward B. Marks Music Co., expressed himself as well pleased with the showing made in the Cuban capital by his firm's numbers. Wherever he went he heard the Marks' feature songs, "Down South" and "A Kiss Before (he Dawn," played constantly, while "Slow River" was one of several other older tunes that had been riding the crest of Cuban popularity for some time. The most prominent Havana orchestra leaders, including Naddi of the Jockey Club and Simon of the Plaza, enthusiastically praised the firm's catalog to Mr. Marks and declared that Marks music was always among their most popular requests. Mr. Marks was interviewed by the Havana Post, the leading English newspaper, which stressed the fact that his father, E. B. Marks, is the publisher of the world-famous "Hot Time in the Old Town To-night," the marching song of the Spanish-American War and a number that is naturally of paramount interest to all Cubans and Americans living there. The article also brought out the information that both Mr. and Mrs. Marks were delighted with the native music, and particularly the Danzon, a national Cuban dance, which is not only a graceful step but also utilizes the most entrancing and unique melodies. As a result of this interview Mr. Marks was swamped by invitations from Cuban composers to listen to their music with an eye toward American publication. While some of it is not particularly commercial, according to Mr. Marks, a good percentage of it has excellent potentialities. Robbins Music Corp. Issues Song to Tie-up With Film The Harold Lloyd Corp., which is releasing Harold Lloyd's new picture, "Speedy," has sent the following news release to all motion picture papers : "With the release of Harold Lloyd's new comedy production, 'Speedy,' by Paramount, exhibitors will be offered a song tie-up with the Lloyd picture as a part of their exploitation campaign. "Coincident with the release of the picture, Robbins Music Corp., which maintains an international reputation in the music world, is publishing a song called 'Speedy Boy,' based on the story of 'Speedy' and the character portrayed by Lloyd. The song will have a distribution throughout the country, not only in music stores but in department stores, drug stores and other establishments handling songs as a sideline. The publisher has representatives in several of the large cities in the United States, who will be glad to co-operate with exhibitors of 'Speedy' in regard to window displays and other hook-ups. "Incidentally, the 'Speed; song will be the third to be published on a larold Lloyd production by the Robbins Music Corp. Its number 'Freshie,' which was published in conjunction with 'The Freshman,' prr ved one of the leading song hits of the 1925 reason. The Robbins Music Corp. has the exr.usive rights to all Paul Whiteman publications " F. A. D. Andrea on Vacation Frank A. D. Andrea, president of Fada Radio, with Mrs. Andrea and a party of friends, are on a three weeks' trip in the West Indies. While it is primarily a pleasure jaunt, Mr. Andrea will make a personal inquiry into radio conditions in that section, Fada having recently established new distributing connections in several cities to be visited. Buffalo, N. Y., February 8. — Business in both talking machines and radio has been fully up to expectations of the local trade during the first six weeks of the new year. This is true alike from the wholesale and retail standpoint, judging from interviews with representative members of each line. R. F. Schelling was elected president of the Radio Listeners' League of Western New York at its annual meeting held here. Other new officers for 1928 are J. J. Johnson, vicepresident; John R. Breim, secretary, and E. J. Johnston, treasurer. The Buffalo Radio Trades Association held a smoker and social in connection with its recent annual meeting. The following directors were elected for two-year terms: Edward Young, Elmer Metzger and Benjamin Neal. The retiring directors, Edward T. Ball, Emil Sommer and Thomas A. White, were given a vote of thanks for their successful administrations. H. G. Erstrom, executive secretary of the Federated Radio Trade Association, held a conference with directors of the Rochester Radio Trades, Inc., in that city. He congratulated the group on its plan to draw up a code of ethics and set of standards which all radio dealers in that city will be asked to endorse. Charles F. Stewart, one of the most widely known men of the talking machine industry in this part of the State, died in his home in Ken Detroit, Mich., February 9. — The personal appearance in town of Moran and Mack, in connection with the Earl Carroll Vanities at a local playhouse, certainly stimulated the sale of their records for Columbia dealers. In fact, the local wholesale branch had prepared for the anticipated rush, but even then it was necessary to phone to Cleveland to send more records to supply the demand. While in the city Moran and Mack appeared in person at the stores of the People's Outfitting Co. and the talking machine department of Crowley, Milner Co. Every buyer of one of their records went away with the personal autographs of Moran and Mack on the records. Thomas Device, manager of the Detroit branch of the Columbia Phonogarph Co., smiles all over when you ask him about business. "We certainly cannot complain," he remarked. "Last year was a very splendid one for us in the State of Michigan. We added many new accounts and found a steady increase in the demand for both our new phonographs, as well as our New Process records." Talking machine business from the retail sales viewpoint was discussed at the annual convention of Grinnell Bros, branch managers, held in Detroit during the month of January. The convention lasted five days and considerable time was given to discussing the various methods of increasing talking machine sales, advertising, window displays, etc. Sam Lind, at one time manager of the Columbia Phonograph Co. wholesale branch in Detroit, a position he held for many years, and later in business for himself in the wholesale end, is now in the retail business for himself at 9660 Grand River avenue, where he is enjoying a very good trade, handling talking machines and radios and jewelry. There is considerable talk that when the new additions to the J. L. Hudson Co.'s main build more, a Buffalo suburb, after an illness of only a few days. Pneumonia caused his death at the age of forty-two. Two thousand replies were received in the Federal Ortho-sonic slogan contest held during the holiday season to obtain a sales slogan for the radio sets of this Buffalo company. Russell J. Stone, of Niagara Falls, finally was adjudged the winner after the judges had waded through the hundreds of replies. The winning slogan, "Built to Exceed Your Expectations," will be used in Federal advertising. A $600 Federal set was the major prize given to Mr. Stone. The Laurens Enos Co. has just opened a new talking machine and radio department under ihe direction of Charles King. Talking machines and Federal receiving sets are featured. Frank A. Arnold, director of development of the National Broadcasting Co., was the speaker at a meeting of the Greater Buffalo Advertising Club on January 31. R. J. Murphy, 515 Erie avenue, Niagara Falls, has just opened an especially attractive Atwater Kent department in his music store. Buffalo newspaper proprietors and other prominent citizens were guests of E. C. Green, manager of the Hotel Statler, prior to the first reception of radio in the Statler Hotel in this city. The guests were given a demonstration of the new apparatus and were warm in its praises. ing arc completed, covering the entire square block between Gratiot and Grand River avenues, the talking machine and radio departments will be moved to the new building, where both departments will have more space for displays. Grinnell Bros., with retail stores in forty cities in Michigan, Ohio and Canada, started on Sunday, February 5, to broadcast an elaborate musical program over Station WJR This is to be a weekly event from now on, covering the hour from 5:30 to 6:30. Local dealers handling the Atwater Kent radio line report that the new AC $88 model is the best seller they have ever had. Not only are retailers pushing this new model, but the local and national advertising is helping immensely to popularize it. The J. L. Hudson Music Store, through its manager, E. K. Andrew, reports that the highpriced combination outfits selling around $1,100 are extremely popular with the elite of the city, while in the lower-priced models the Credenza, is the most popular. Benjamin Gross Talks on Radio Sales and Publicity At a luncheon meeting of the Radio Trade Group Division, in the Advertising Club. 23 Park avenue, recently, Benjamin Gross, president of Gross-Brennan, Inc., Stromberg-Carlson radio representatives in New York and New England, speaking on "Radio Merchandising and Advertising," urged his hearers to co-operate with manufacturers and jobbers in making radio advertising "clean." He expressed the opinion that the sales volume could be increased 100 per cent, through proper co-operation. Stephen Czukor, general manager of WRNY, presided. Personal Appearance of Moran and Mack Stimulates Detroit Columbia Business Stars of ''Vanities" Autograph "Two Black CroWs" Records at Local Stores — Grinnell Bros. Branch Managers Hold Five-Day Convention — Sam Lind Enters Retail Music-Radio Field