December 13th in Gennett History…

William Jennings Bryan Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion

 

On the 1st day of Christmas, Gennett gave to me.. Gennett 5226 – A “Christmas Greetings” from William Jennings Bryan.  Bryan recorded “The 23rd Psalm” in Richmond on July 3, 1923 with the String Quartette from Hotel Gibson Orchestra.  

 

1927: The Maple City Four (WLS Artist) recorded “Old MacDonald Had A Farm” & “Silver Threads Among The Gold” in Chicago. It appeared on Gennett 6391, Champion 15487, and a few others. A royalty statement for the Champion sent to L. G. Petterson, noted sales of approx. 1,100 copies in 1928. The Maple City Four were Art Janes, Fritz Meissner, Al Rice, and Pat Petterson. Here is a 1938 video of The Maple City Four performing “The Green Grass Grew All Around.” 

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December 12th in Gennett History…

1924: Art Payne and his Orchestra recorded “Oh Maud” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 5631, Champion 15036 as by South Shore Melody Boys, and Claxtonola 40413 as by The Kentucky Cardinals. The Champion release sold 581 copies in 1925 and 1926. The known player was Ray Putnam (sax or clarinet). 

December 11th in Gennett History…

Fletcher Henderson Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion

 

1923: Josie Miles recorded “Awful Moanin’ Blues” in NYC. The recording appeared on Gennett 5339 and Silvertone 4051. It featured Miles (v) and Fletcher Henderson (p). 

 

1928: Jack Golding recorded “In The Big Rock Candy Mountain” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6715, Champion 15646, and Supertone 9342. The Champion issue sold over 15,000 copies between 1928 and 1931.

December 10th in Gennett History…

1901 & 1918: a VERY important day, as In 1901, Joseph W. Jones received his patent for ‘a process of producing sound records, one of the steps of which was the cutting of a laterally undulating groove in suitable material (wax).” The patent expired on 12/10/1918 and Gennett disregarded Victor’s lateral patent held by Victor (Eldridge Johnson patent). The expiration of Jones’ patent and Gennett’s victory over the Johnson patent led to the birth of race and hillbilly recordings and ‘indie labels.’

Eldridge Johnson Provisional Patent

 

December 9th in Gennett History…

1927: Emil Seidel and His Orchestra recorded “Counting The Days” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6355 and Champion 15418 as Jack Crawford and His Boys. The band featured Jimmy Fisher (vox) and Hoagy Carmichael (piano). 

 

1931: The Lullaby Larkers recorded “Chicken Roost Blues” in Richmond. It appeared on Champion 16364 and Champion 45132. The track featured Cliff Carlisle (v & g) & Wilbur Ball (g). A royalty statement to Wilbur Ball, noted sales of 258 copies in 1932 (and 4 copies in 1933). A royalty accounting from Decca noted sales of 25 copies for period ending 9/30/36. 

December 8th in Gennett History…

Baileys Lucky Seven Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion

1922: Bailey’s Lucky Seven recorded “Baby Blue Eyes” in NYC. It appeared on Gennett 5013 and Starr-Gennett 9330. The track featured Jules Levy, Jr (c), Charlie Panelli (tb), Loring McMurray and Jimmy Lytell (sax/cl), Nick Lucas (banjo) and Jack Roth (d). 

December 7th in Gennett History…

1922: Timothy Nicholson at age 94 made a personal recording in Richmond, Indiana. He recorded “Statement Concerning Friend’s (Quaker’s) Richmond Declaration of Faith and the Organization of the Five Years Meeting” and “Why and How Corporal Punishment Ceased in Indiana State Prisons.” 

Timothy Nicholson Gennett Personal

 

1923: Bailey’s Lucky Seven recorded “I’m Goin’ South” in NYC.  It appeared on Gennett 5334 and Starr-Gennett 9485.  Known performers on this side included Phil Napoleon and Earl Oliver (c), Miff Mole (tb), Frank Signorelli (p), and Jack Roth (d).