The talking machine world (Jan-June 1925)

118 THE TALKING MACHINE WORLD February 15, 1925 Recording by Okeh Expedition in Detroit Is Viewed by Thousands of Spectators Important General Phonograph Corp. Executives on Hand for the Making of Six Records by Finzel's Orchestra — Theatre Throng Views Recording After Wide Publicity is Given Event Detroit, Mich., February 9. — On Wednesday evening, January 28, this city had the unique distinction of being treated to the first public demonstration of phonograph recording. The affair was held at the Arcadia Auditorium under the auspices of the General Phonograph records had just been made. On Tuesday, prior to the day of the affair, the recording outfit was set up on the stage of the Arcadia to be in readiness for the next evening. The demonstration took place on Wednesday, January 28, and proved very interesting for the thousands Finzel's Orchestra Making an Okeh Record o n Stage of the Arcadia Auditorium Corp., and attracted a crowd of more than 5,000 persons — all that the hall could hold. The whole town was placarded for several weeks in advance of the event — advertisements were run in the newspapers and phonograph dealers who handle the Okeh record line had posters in their windows— also large photographs of Finzel's Orchestra, who were to make the records, and who are exclusive Okeh record artists. Quite a notable list of representatives of the General Phonograph Co. was on hand for the recording. Among them R. S. Peer, director of record production, who came from New York; Charles Hibbard, recording engineer, who came from New Orleans; Peter Decker, assistant recording engineer, who came from New York, and E. A. Fearh, head of the Consolidated Talking Machine Co., Chicago. Assisting very materially in making the necessary local arrangements was J. P. Fearn, manager of the Detroit office of the Consolidated. He was on the job all the time to see that things went along smoothly, and it was up to him to make all the advance arrangements and look after the advance advertising, publicity and exploitation. The recording outfit was shipped to Detroit direct from New Orleans, where some Okeh who were fortunate enough to get into the hall. All told, the actual time given to the recording and the prior announcing and ceremonies was about a half hour. And it was a well-behaved crowd. Everybody seemed so eager to see how recording was done. Tom Penfold, of the Jerome H. Remick Co., acted as master of ceremonies. He made the opening address and outlined what was to take place. He said he had never before seen any records made and that he was just as intensely interested in seeing it done as the 5,000 people in front of him. He brought considerable humor into his remarks and kept the crowd good-natured. While Finzel's Okeh Orchestra made six records in Detroit, only one was made that night before the crowd. It was "Laugh It Off," and Miss Charlotte Meyers, who is quite a favorite in Detroit, having sung often at the first-run picture houses and other public places, sang the chorus. By means of two Bristol audiophones the orchestra, after playing for the record, played back to the audience. From the comments heard and the expressions on the faces of the 5,000 people present, it was apparent that they enjoyed the thrill of seeing records made and that the whole affair An OKeh Winter Business Booster — and you can get it Free! General Phonograph Corporation OTTO HEINEMAN. Pres. 25 West 45th St. New York, N. Y. YOU may remember to remind every customer to buy needles, but the chances are, with the record buying activity of the next few months you won't. That's where this new OKeh Needle Displayer does its work! Placed prominently on your counter, it immediately attracts and reminds the customers about OKeh needles for you! Sixteen packages of needles can be safely displayed in the sliding tray under the immovable glass top; 180 more packages may be stored in the space underneath the tray, making it unnecessary to disturb the tray display when a sale is made. The case is made of metal, heavily lacquered and beautifully lithographed. Every dealer ordering 100,000 OKeh needles will be presented with one of these valuable Displayers absolutely FREE. You can easily sell that many needles and a great many more during the winter months with the help of the displayer. Order them from your distributor to-day and get your OKeh Needle Displayer FREE! was most successful from every standpoint. On Wednesday, January 28, Finzel's Orchestra made three records and the following day three more were made. But only "Laugh It off" was made for public demonstration. The others were also made at the Arcadia, but in one of the other rooms. The six records were: "I Can't Stop Babying You," fox-trot; "Laugh It Off," fox-trot; "Only Only One," fox-trot; "Bye and Bye," fox-trot; "Indian Dawn," fox-trot, and "Listening," a new waltz from the Music Box Revue. We understand that the General Phonograph Snapshot of Crowd Watching Recording Process Co. plans to give a number of these publicdemonstrations du ring the coming year, the next one to be at the Trianon Dance Palace in Chicago. Sales and Ad Campaign by Console Speaker Co. Extensive Campaign Launched by Manufacturer of Cabinet Loud Speaker — Distributors Being Appointed and Production Increased The Console Master Speaker Co., 15 East Fortieth street, New York, manufacturer of the Console Master Speaker, recently launched an extensive sales and advertising campaign which has attracted considerable interest throughout the industry. The company manufactures a cabinet type built-in loud speaker which is designed to also contain the batteries, the set being placed upon the top. A feature of the Console Master Speaker is that the entire front may be thrown open, thus giving convenient access, to the batteries and unit. The company also manufactures a speaker designed particularly for the Ware Type T neutrodyne radio receiving sets, it being designed to the exact size of the cabinet of the receiver so that in appearance it gives the impression of one single piece of furniture. Distributors are being appointed throughout the music trade at the present time and the company is prepared to increase production in order to meet the demand for its products. M. D. Manning in New Post Birmingham, Ala., February 6. — Maurice D. Manning, former store manager for Charles M. Stieff, Inc., in Norfolk, Va., has been made general manager of the E. E. Forbes Piano Co., of this city. Mr. Manning came here in 1922, and has been sales manager of the Forbes concern since that time. Along with the announcement of his appointment comes the statement from the Forbes Piano Co. of plans for the general redecoration of the warerooms to be completed in the early Spring and for their remodeling as well. Mitten Co. Closes Branch Akron, O., February 7.— Carl A. Mitten, president of the Mitten Piano Co., announces the discontinuance of the Barberton store of this company, and declared that in the future all business of the concern would be confined to the Akron store.