October 17th in Gennett History…

1936: Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg made a political speech full of rebuttals that included recordings of President Roosevelt. The Senator from Michigan started by playing a recording of Roosevelt’s oath of office in 1933. Vandenberg accused President Roosevelt of forming a socialistic, radical “Roosevelt Party.” It appeared on Gennett Historical #2. A Gennett 1941 catalog stated “We introduce here our initial release of Historical and Educational recordings reproducing decisive moments of History, made as they occurred, or reproduced exclusively for Gennett by the author,” and that this recording was “1 double faced 16-inch 33 1/3 RPM $9.00”  

Senator Arthur H. Vandenberg

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October 14th in Gennett History…

Duke Ellington Gennett Walk of Fame Medallion

1925: Alberta Jones recorded “I’m Gonna Put You Right In Jail” in NYC. It appeared on Gennett 3403, Champion 15180, Herwin 92001, and Silvertone 5025. She was accompanied by The Ellington Twins, who were Duke Ellington (p) and Otto Hardwicke (as). The Champion release sold 1,156 copies in 1926 and 1927.

October 12th in Gennett History…

1929: James Wiggins recorded “Forty – Four Blues” in Richmond. It appeared on Paramount 12860 and Broadway 5061. The recording featured James Wiggins (v) and Blind Leroy Garnett (p). 

October 11th in Gennett History…

1928: Alphonso Trent and His Orchestra recorded “Louder and Funnier” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6664 and Champion 15641 (as by The Savannah Night Hawks). The Gennett ledger has “Johnny Smith, vocalist” crossed out. The Champion issue sold approx. 600 copies in 1929. The recording featured Leo “Snub” Moseley (v & tb), Leo “Stuff” Smith (v & f), John Fielding (v), Chester Clark (c), Irving Randolph (c), James Jeter (as), Charles Pillars (as), Lee Hilliard (as), Hayes Pillars (ts/bs), Alphonse Trent (p), Eugene Crooke (g/bjo), Robert “Eppie” Jackson (bs), and A.G. Godley (d). 

October 10th in Gennett History…

1928: William Harris recorded “Bullfrog Blues” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 661, Champion 15614 (as Bud Johnson), and Conqueror 7264. Champion noted over 2,000 sales to Harris between 1928 and 1929. This is probably my favorite Gennett recording of all-time.

October 9th in Gennett History…

1924: The Sioux City Six recorded “Flock O’ Blues” and “I’m Glad” in NYC. It appeared on Gennett 5569, Brunswick 02207, and Session 7. The recording featured Bix Beiderbecke (c), Miff Mole (tb), Rube Bloom (p), Min Leibrook (bs), and Vic Moore (d). 

 

1928: William Harris recorded “Electric Chair Blues” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 6752 and Supertone 9428 (as Alonzo Boone).

October 8th in Gennett History…

1923: Twenty Violin Pupils of the Houchens Violin School, Dayton, Ohio recorded “Humoresque” and “The Directors Choice” in Richmond. The violinists, ages 7 – 15, were accompanied by Miss Mildred Karg on piano. It was issued as a Gennett Personal pressing #20011 with the label head Houchens Violin School. 

Gennett Recording Card, mx. 11641 – Houchens Violin School

1924: The Wolverine Orchestra recorded “Tia Juana” in Richmond. It appeared on Gennett 5565, HRS 26, and Temple 552. The recording featured Bix Beiderbecke (c), George Brunies (tb), Jimmy Hartwell (as/cl), George Johnson (ts), Dick Voynow (p), Min Leibrook (bs), Bob Gillette (bjo), Vic Moore (d). 

1930: Willie Dukes recorded “Snake Hip Twirl” in Richmond. It appeared on Champion 16126 and 50055. The royalty accounting for Champion 16126 to Willie Dukes noted sales of 448 copies in 1930 and 1931 and for Champion 50055, sales of 117 copies for the period ending 9/30/36.