MARK WARN OW
1520 NORTH GOWER STREET
HOLLYWOOD 28, CALIFORNIA
Hillside 2153
Dear Music Operator:
I have just made my first pop record, and I'm prouder than my dog Daisy
was when she had her litter.
Here's how it happened.
I mean the record, not the litter.
Mr. Charles Washburn of Coast Records came in one day and said, "Mark, we'd
like you to record for us. You can choose your own orchestra, any size you
like, select your own tunes, record whenever and wherever you like. What
we want is a record that makes you happy. Then there's a pretty good chance
that everyone else will be pleased."
No one could refuse an offer like that.
Including me.
So we rolled up the sleeves and went to work. First we assembled a special
orchestra of twenty-six pieces, conspicuous by its absence of brass. Then
we went looking for tunes, new tunes, and finally came up with "Who Put That
Dream in Your Eyes" and "Senorita Maracas from Caracas". Next was the search
for a girl singer. We listened to air checks, records and in-person perform-
ances, finally settling on a newcomer named Lorry Raine, because she had just
the kind of a voice we wanted. And finally, for the actual recording, we used
the Earl Carroll Theatre. It has the finest acoustical set-up I have found in
Hollywood, not dissimilar to the sound of Liederkranz Hall in New York.
All this activity was not without purpose. I had spent enough time dropping
nickels into juke boxes around town to know that the conditions under which
they operate are not always ideal. Hence, any record designed for that trade
should be produced with certain things in mind. We think we have succeeded in
making a record that will suit your all-around need s . Here's the one, two,
three.
1. Coast Records says that its product "consistently outwears
all others". And they're not kidding. After all, they do
use over 20% shellac.
2. The combination of an unusual orchestra and recording studio
has given the record an exceptional "sound" quality.
3. Lorry Raine's high riding vocals, a really superb performance,
will be heard without distortion, no matter how difficult a
condition your machine might be operating under •
•
So now you know why I'm prouder than Daisy.
But now there's something I want to know. What do you think of the record?
Would you drop me a note? -Or if you're in town, come into the office and have
a beer with me. Fact is, there are going to be other records. And, quite
frankly, we'd like to know what you think of our first effort.
•
Sincerely yours,
P. S. I forgot the most important thing, and that is where you can buy the
record: Coast Record Manufacturing Company, 2534 West Pico Bo~levard, Los
Angeles 6, California.
DECEMBER, 1947
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