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Draft:S.R. Henry

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S.R. Henry (1874-1966), was an American composer of popular music, marches and ragtime songs during the first half of the 20th century. His best known works included "The Colored Major", "S.R. Henry's Barn Dance" and "Indianola".[1] He was later known as a theatre producer and musical contributor in New York City.

Early Life

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Henry (birth name, Henry Robert Stern) was born on June 23, 1874 in New York City,[2] the younger son of Theresa Katz and Charles Stern, both German immigrants. He was raised in his father's necktie manufacturing business, along with his siblings Joseph and Hattie. Henry's musical education was sought in public school, and later at City College of New York and Columbia University.[3] He received a Bachelor of Philosophy from Columbia in 1896.[4]

Musical career

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Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Joseph, as a publisher of music and salesman with lyricist Edward B. Marks, Henry began to publish his own compositions in the late 1890s. He adopted the title 'S.R. Henry' for his published works. One of his first known publications was "I'll Be Your Friend Just the Same", in 1899.

His first well known piece was the march and two-step, "The Colored Major", published in 1900.[5] This march was widely recorded in the early stages of the Victor Talking Machine Co. and competitor, Columbia Records. It was notably recorded by banjoist Sylvester "Vess" Ossman in 1901.[6][7] It would be recorded by many other banjo players of the era, and remain a popular ragtime reception and concert piece in the United States and Canada in the early 1900s.[8][9][10]

By 1901, Henry was an established composer of tin pan alley songs and instrumental pieces. He was also an active member of his brother's music publishing company, J.W. Stern & Co., which would see large financial gains by 1910. He was later employed by the Landay Brothers music store on 5th Avenue, while still being associated with the Stern firm. Henry made acquaintance with lyricist and future mayor of New York city, James J. Walker, also during this time. They contributed roles of lyric writing as well as arranging for "After they Gather the Hay" and others from 1906 to 1907.[11][12]

In 1908, he published "S.R. Henry's Barn Dance", characteristic of the popular 'barn dance' tradition of rural America, or the schottische. This piece was widely performed by concert bands in America.[13][14][15] It also saw success in sheet music sales and phonograph records.[16][17][18] A popular recording was made in 1909 by the New York Military Band for Edison Records.[19][20] A modified version with additional lyrics by Monroe H. Rosenfeld was also recorded for Edison in 1909 by vocal duo Collins & Harlan titled "Down at the Huskin' Bee".[21] It was re-recorded in 1990 by Australian folk historian Vida Berg,[22] and later released by the National Library of Australia on the CD album, Picking Up The Threads: Australian Women's Folk Music, as a notable piece of folk music. Henry would publish a similar popular piece of the 'barn dance' character in 1915, titled "By Heck",[23][24] which was widely recorded by concert bands in the 1910s, and revived in 1934 with an arrangement by the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra.

Another relative song hit for Henry was in 1910 with the publication and recording of "I've Got the Time, I've Got the Place, but It's Hard to Find the Girl",[25] with lyrics by Ballard MacDonald.[26] It was notably introduced by English entertainer Hetty King,[27][28] who was featured on the published sheet music cover. It was also featured by Broadway vocalists, including Frank Coombs, who sung the ballad at the 1910 Actors' Fund Fair in New York City.[29] The song was recorded by American tenors, Byron G. Harlan[30] and Henry Burr,[31] among others. It was later revived by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians.[32]

Later hits for Stern included 1917's "Indianola", which was popularized by the early jazz bands of Wilbur Sweatman and James Reese Europe, and the novelty tune, "Pahjamah", in 1919.[33] The latter was featured by many circus companies in the 20th century,[34] including the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus,[35] and was reproduced on music rolls for band organs.[36]

Theatre

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Still active at his brother's publishing firm in the 1910s, Henry entered into association with Broadway, co-founding the International Theatrical Play Bureau on West 38th Street in Manhattan circa 1916.[37] He was director of the Bureau by 1917,[38] helping to promote Broadway productions with the Shuberts, among others. Henry notably promoted a young George Kaufman in the 1910s, after forming an organization to promote young playwrights.[39] He attempted to sell one of Kaufman's first plays, "Going Up", to producers.[40][41]

Stern contributed to his first musical in 1920, collaborating with Edward Clark and composer M. Savin on Little Miss Charity,[42] played at the Belmont Theatre.[43][44] Later in 1934, he produced John C. Brownell's play, Brain Sweat.[45][46][47]

Variety Magazine noted in 1921, the early success of the International Theatrical Play Bureau before World War I, to collect and distribute the works of European theatrical authors in America, as opposed to a competitor, the United Plays Company.[48] Henry would continue to collect theatrical music abroad in the following years,[49] one example being "My Electric Girl" by Otto Helmburgh-Holmes, revised and re-published by Henry in 1923.

Later career

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The J.W. Stern & Co. and its associate, the International Theatrical Play Bureau, were sold in 1920 to founder, Edward B. Marks, at the retirement of Stern's brother, Joseph.[50] Henry Stern announced his retirement from music publishing that same year, but would remain active in theatre involvements in New York in the 1920s.[51] Joseph and Henry Stern would conceive of a second publishing firm to be run solely by the brothers in 1921,[52] but this plan did not manifest. It was reported in 1930 that Henry would return to publishing music independently.[53]

He was recorded by The Film Daily as one of many composers who "contemplate devoting their talents to the motion picture industry" in 1930,[54]and "now associated with motion pictures", in 1931.[55]

By 1941, Henry had removed to Dallas, Texas with his wife,[56] where he published very little known music. His last known composition was "Drifting", with words by Wade Barnes in 1947, left unpublished.[57]

Compositions

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  • Peter Piper (1905)[2]
  • Queen of the South Sea Isles (1915)[58]
  • Under the Rambling Roses (1916)[59]
  • When It's Moonlight on the Prairie (1908)[2]
  • Love Me Today, Tomorrow We May Part (1917), co-written by D. Onivas and words by Beth Slater Whitson[60]
  • Tears of Love (1918), dedicated to Norma Talmadge
  • The Sister of Rosie O'Grady (1918), words by Frank H. Warren[60]
  • Rambo (1919), words by D. Onivas[60]
  • Good Night, Dearie (1919)
  • Himalya (1919)
  • Now I Know (1919)
  • Come and Marry Me (1919), co-written by D. Onivas[60]
  • Little Miss Charity (1920), musical score co-writer with M. Savin[61]
  • Next Door to Heaven (1940)[62]
  • Prepare (1940)[62]
  • America-prepare (1940), arr. Domenico Savino[62]
  • America (1940)[62]
  • My Uncle Sam (1940)[62]
  • V For Victory (1941)[63]
  • Blow Away Your Troubles (1942)[58]
  • Bless His Heart (1942)[58]
  • Great Emancipation Day (1942)[58]
  • Here's a Kiss For Your Lips (1942)[64]
  • Mister Fuehrer (1943)[65]
  • There's a Man in the Moon (1944)[59]
  • Foxy (1945), co-written by D. Onivas[60]
  • Call of the Whippoorwill (1945)[66]
  • Drifting (1947), words by W. Barnes[67]

References

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  1. ^ "Melody Mart". The Billboard. 36 (49): 22. December 6, 1924.
  2. ^ a b c Walsh, Jim (2017). Favorite Pioneer Recording Artists, 1942-1976. pp. 1166, 1560.
  3. ^ Ragging the Baby to Sleep (PDF) (Media notes). Stomp Off Records. 1995. pp. 6, 7.
  4. ^ Columbia University Alumni Register, 1754-1931. Columbia University Press. 1932. p. 841.
  5. ^ Jasen, David A. (1988). Tin Pan Alley: The Composers, the Songs, The Performers and their Times. Donald I. Fine, Inc. p. 53. ISBN 1-55611-099-5.
  6. ^ "Victor matrix [Pre-matrix A-]807. The colored major". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Regents of the University of California.
  7. ^ Gracyk, Tim (2000). Popular American Recording Pioneers: 1895-1925. The Haworth Press, Inc. p. 265.
  8. ^ Fiftieth Anniversary of Meridian Lodge, no. 77. Meriden, Connecticut: The Journal Publishing Co. 1901. p. 49.
  9. ^ "Tomorrow Evening's Band Concert". North Adams Transcript. July 16, 1901.
  10. ^ "Grand Concert in City Hall Park Tonight". Oakland Tribune. Tribune Pub. Co. August 3, 1900.
  11. ^ Fowler, Gene (1949). Beau James (the Life & Times Of Jimmy Walker). The Viking Press. p. 45.
  12. ^ "Henry R. Stern, 91, Song Writer, Dies". The New York Times. March 15, 1966.
  13. ^ "Music at the Gardner". The Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. A.W. Edwards & H.C. Plumley. May 15, 1909.
  14. ^ "Doctor's Band Will Play Tonight in Military Park". The Newark Star. Newark Daily Advertiser Pub. Co. July 7, 1909.
  15. ^ "New Fun Factory Attracts Crowds". The Washington Times. Times Pub. Co. February 14, 1910.
  16. ^ "S.R. Henry's Barn Dance". The Billboard. 21 (2): 11. January 9, 1909.
  17. ^ "American Barn Dance". The Saturday News. E.M. Barker. July 16, 1909.
  18. ^ "At The Arcade". The Richmond Palladium and Sun-Telegram. Palladium Print. Co. March 20, 1909.
  19. ^ "S.R. Henry's Barn Dance". Edison Phonograph Monthly. 7 (3): 24. March 1909.
  20. ^ "S.R. Henry's barn dance". UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive. UC Santa Barbara Library.
  21. ^ "Down At The Huskin' Bee". Edison Phonograph Monthly. 7 (8): 16. August 1909.
  22. ^ "Vida Berg interviewed by Alan Scott and Kevin Baker in Alan Scott folklore collection". National Library of Australia. The National Library of Australia.
  23. ^ "Tin Pan Alley Reflects Pacifist Mood in 1915". Variety. 201 (5): 356, 357. January 4, 1956.
  24. ^ Tyler, Don (2016). Music of the First World War. Greenwood. p. 118. ISBN 9781440839962.
  25. ^ Vautier, Dominic (2000). Sex, Music & Bloomers: A Social History of American Popular Music (1892-1915). Bellevue, Washington: Abelard Press. p. 227. ISBN 0967704634.
  26. ^ Chipman, John H. (1962). Index to Top-Hit Tunes: (1900-1950). Bruce Humphries. pp. 67, 165.
  27. ^ Cohen-Stratyner, Barbara (1988). Popular Music, 1900-1919. Detroit: Gale Research Inc. pp. 190, 553, 565. ISBN 0810325950.
  28. ^ Marks, Edward B. (1934). They All Sang: From Tony Pastor to Rudy Vallee. New York: The Viking Press. p. 240.
  29. ^ "New York Music Notes". The Billboard. 22 (22): 14. May 28, 1910.
  30. ^ "Zonophone matrix Z-61". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Regents of the University of California.
  31. ^ "Victor matrix B-9345". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Regents of the University of California.
  32. ^ Cohen-Stratyner, Barbara (1988). Popular Music, 1900-1919. Detroit: Gale Research Inc. pp. 190, 553, 565. ISBN 0810325950.
  33. ^ "Men Who Make Popular Songs". The Talking Machine World. 15 (6): 124, 125. June 15, 1919.
  34. ^ "Circus Music, Films and Plays". CircusHallofFame.com. International Circus Hall of Fame.
  35. ^ Beheim, Eric (May–Jun 2022). "1959 Ringling-Barnum Musical Program" (PDF). Circus Fanfare (66): 12.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: date format (link)
  36. ^ Hathaway, Terry. "Mechanical Music Registry Project" (PDF). MechanicalMusicPress.com. Mechanical Music Press.
  37. ^ "Amusement and Dramatic Agents and Companies". Trow General Directory of New York City. 128. 1915.
  38. ^ "H.R. Stern Places Play". The New York Clipper. 65 (22): 16. July 4, 1917.
  39. ^ Mersand, Joseph (1949). The American Drama Since 1930. New York: The Modern Chapbooks. p. 25.
  40. ^ Mantle, Burns (1929). American Playwrights of Today. pp. 90, 91.
  41. ^ Golstein, Malcolm (1979). George S. Kaufman: His Life, His Theater. Oxford University Press. pp. 36, 37. ISBN 0195026233.
  42. ^ Hischak, Thomas (2009). Broadway Plays and Musicals: Descriptions and Essential Facts of More Than 14,000 Shows through 2007. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company Inc. p. 262. ISBN 9780786497546.
  43. ^ "Music Men". Variety. 59 (8): 24. July 16, 1920.
  44. ^ "Musical Comedy". Musical Courier. 81 (13): 49. September 23, 1920.
  45. ^ "Future Plays". Variety. 113 (8). February 20, 1934.
  46. ^ "'Brain Sweat' One of the Season's Best Comedies". The Hollywood Reporter. 20 (29): 4. April 13, 1934.
  47. ^ Mantle, Burns (1966). The Best Plays of 1933-34. New York: Dodd, Mead and Company. p. 513.
  48. ^ "Musical Play Revolution Expected This Coming Season". Variety. 62 (12): 1, 30, 31. May 13, 1921.
  49. ^ "Musical Comedy Notes". The Billboard. 35 (15): 32. April 14, 1923.
  50. ^ "Marks, Sole Owner Jos. W. Stern & Co". Variety. 61 (5): 4. December 24, 1920.
  51. ^ "Melody Mart". The Billboard. 36 (49): 22. December 6, 1924.
  52. ^ "News of the Music Men". Variety. 61 (7): 28. January 7, 1921.
  53. ^ "H.R. Stern Back". Variety. 98 (6). February 19, 1930.
  54. ^ Alicoate, Jack (1930). Year Book of Motion Pictures (12th ed.). The Film Daily. p. 800.
  55. ^ Alicoate, Jack (1931). Year Book of Motion Pictures. The Film Daily. p. 634.
  56. ^ "Henry R. Stern's 50th Anni Fete In Dallas". Variety. 193 (4): 43. December 30, 1953.
  57. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series. Part 5B: Unpublished Music Jan-Dec 1947. Copyright Office. 1947. p. 68.
  58. ^ a b c d Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1942. Copyright Office. 1942. pp. 1418, 1541 1753, 1887.
  59. ^ a b Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1944. Copyright Office. 1944. pp. 64, 329, 810, 1125.
  60. ^ a b c d e Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1945. Copyright Office. 1945. pp. 1795, 1801, 1811, 1819, 1822, 2107.
  61. ^ Norton, Richard (2002). A Chronology of American Musical Theater: 1912-1952. Oxford University Press. p. 225. ISBN 0195088883.
  62. ^ a b c d e Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1940. Copyright Office. 1940. pp. 750, 912, 980, 1085, 1162.
  63. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1941. Copyright Office. 1941. p. 33951.
  64. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1942. 1942. p. 971.
  65. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1943. Copyright Office. 1943. pp. 609, 707.
  66. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, New Series. Part 3: Musical Compositions 1945. Copyright Office. 1945.
  67. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series. Part 5B: Unpublished Music Jan-Dec 1947. Copyright Office. 1947. p. 68.
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