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THE REVELERS were once the Shannon Four
SEVERAL years ago when the Victor talking machine people wanted a male quartet they looked around the studio to see who was making records. They found four bright young men with excellent voices — and the quartet was formed and dubbed the Shannon Four because of the popularity of Irish songs.
Now they are called The Revelers. James Melton and Lewis James, first and second tenors ; Phil Dewey, bari¬ tone; and Wilfred Glenn, bass, are the members.
Lewis James was born at Ypsilanti, Michigan. His first interest in music was aroused after he left high school. He came to New York to study and Frank Damrosch chose him to sing with the Musical Art Society.
Phil Dewey is an ex-farm boy from near Macy, In¬ diana, one of eleven children.
He worked his way through the University of Indiana. He is a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Music.
The Juillard Musical Foundation of New York gave him a fellowship and he came East to study. A job in the cast of the musical comedy, “Lady Do,” kept him in bread and butter. “Good News” was his next show. His chance to broadcast came when a famous male quartet showed up for a studio program with the baritone missing, suddenly stricken ill. A friend recommended Dewey and he was rushed into the breach . . . and he is still there. 24
Wilfred Glenn, whose booming bass has made him a national favorite, was twenty years old before he knew he had a voice. He is a native of Dry Creek, California, has adventured as a ranch hand, seaman, Alaska fisher¬ man, explorer, and has been a soloist in the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. An original member of the Shan¬ non Four, he has been in radio since its infancy.
James Melton, top tenor of this aggregation, was born in Moultrie, Georgia. At the University of Florida where he went out for football, an injury forced him off the gridiron for life. Needing something to fill in his spare time, Melton bought a sax and learned to play in six lessons.
When he came to New York, no producer would listen to him sing. He learned that an audition was being held at the Roxy Theatre. He went to the door, got inside the theatre, and asked to see Erno Rapee, musical director. Doormen, ushers, attendants told him the hour was too late, it was impossible. Melton thought fast — and started to sing at the top of his voice. The tones rang through the movie cathedral. Erno Rapee rushed forward and hired the unabashed youngster on the spot.
That job led to his connection with The Revelers and the radio. Today, his name on a broadcast program means that thousands all over the country listen.