The talking machine world (July-Dec 1922)

120 (World of Music) THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD August 15, 1922 SHEET MUSIC WITH UKULELE ARRANGEMENT PLANNED Jerome Harris, of C. Bruno & Son, Inc., Interesting Music Publishers in Plan Whereby Popular Music Will Contain a Ukulele Score Printed on Flyleaf of Each Song ^sVuTHERN,SBp^?REVrTyi^ THE BIG DIXIE 'mT" Next to the talking machine the ukulele is one of the popular musical instruments of the day. In this connection we may mention that Jerome Harris, secretary of C. Bruno & Son, Inc., New York, musical merchandise wholesalers, has evolved a very feasible and practical plan for tying up the sale of sheet music with Mr. Harris' co-operative idea should stimulate business in ukuleles and in sheet music. Persons who see the ukulele arrangement on songs will decide to purchase instruments and learn to play, while on the other hand ukulele players will purchase copies of songs which have ukulele arrangements. Many ukulele owners now content themselves with a hit-or-miss method of • finding chords and this plan will enable them to take a keener interest in playing the ukulele. It will thus result in a wider demand for the bettef grade instruments. Mr. Harris points out that his own experience shows him that every gathering-place for young people of Summer evenings finds from one to a dozen ukulele players. Nearly all of them make random attempts to produce the best music possible since they are unable to find a correct arrangement of the latest hits. Mr. Harris further points out that publishers have long followed the custom of adding quartet or march arrangements on many of the new numbers. He reasons that since there is no real * demand at present for either quartet or march arrangements this space can be profitably devoted to an arrangement of the number for the ukulele. Mr. Harris has already held conferences with several of the more prominent publishers. He has placed his plan before them and urged that they put it into immediate operation. In nearly all cases he reports that the idea has secured the hearty approval of the publishers, who recognize the opportunity of increasing the demand and widening the market for the sale of popular song hits. It is Mr. Harris' conviction that the adoption of the plan will benefit all concerned and, through a personal letter just sent out he is inviting the co-operation of the trade. Jerome Harris the ukulele. He recognizes that most sheet music dealers sell ukuleles and vice versa. Mr. Harris recommends that the music publishers print on the flyleaf of each new song release a ukulele accompaniment arrangement of the number. This plan is being carefully considered by the music publishers who realize that its adoption will afford them a greater scope for the sale of their numbers. TWO NEW FEIST NUMBERS "Coal Black Mammy" and "The Nineteenth Hole" Already Very Popular Among the new songs added to the catalog of Leo Feist, Inc., is the English success, "Coal Black Mammy," originally published by Francis, Day & Hunter, and written by Laddie Cliff, who is well known • through a series of vaudeville tours made in this country. It is said that "Coal Black Mammy" has been the biggest popular song hit ever published in England, not only ROMANY LOVE jAeATew Gypsy foxTfotlfit gaUadSnccoss from a vocal standpoint but also as an instrumental fox-trot. It has already been heard in this country, having been introduced by Ethel Levy, for whom the song was restricted during her recent vaudeville tour. It is also the feature song in the Canadian soldier show, "The Dumbbells," which has played steadily in Canada for over two years. "The Nineteenth Hole," also recently released by Feist, is said to be the first golf song ever published. It is a comedy number which has achieved some success, this despite the fact that it is only a few weeks old. As a follow-up song to "Three o'Clock in the Morning," Feist has also released the English waltz "Lovely Lucerne." SINGS "IN MAYTIME" AT WEDDING John Steele Features That Song at PickfordMiller Nuptials in California John Steele, well-known American tenor, attended the Pickford-Miller wedding in California early this month and took part in the musical program connected with the festivities. Among the songs he sang was "In Maytime" (I Learned to Love You), a number which he has featured on his tour of the country. Mr. Steele is now appearing in the Middle West and Jack Snyder, Inc., the publisher of the song, recently received a letter from him in which he stated that "In Maytime" (I Learned to Love You) is being received favorably everywhere. Three Active Sellers STOCK THEM IN RECORDS PLAYER ROLLS and SHE1T MUSIC "Romany Love," "Nola" and "Only a Smile" SAM FOX PUB. CO. New York Cleveland. O. <7#<? Dance Sans a in ore, ARTISTS FEATURING "IN MAYTIME" Among the vaudeville headliners featuring songs published by Jack Snyder,. Inc., is Charles Adams, now appearing in the act of Jack Wilson, the well-known vaudevillian. He is singing with success "In Maytime" (I Learned to Love You) and "Meet Me Next Sunday." Dolly St. John, who recently appeared at the Loew Lincoln Square Theatre, New York, is using the former number as the musical theme for her act. Manyother prominent vaudeville singers are also using "Meet Me Next Sunday." The George M. Cohan Comedians opened at the Tremont Theatre, Boston, July 31, in Mr. Cohan's new musical play, "Little Nelly Kelly," in which Elizabeth Hines is featured. Julian Mitchell' arranged the dances. Mr. Cohan is responsible for book, lyrics and music of "Little Nelly Kelly." The consensus of opinion among those who have been privileged to witness rehearsals is solidly one of enthusiasm for the new piece and many predict big things for the score, which is published by M. Witmark & Sons.