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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
In the World of Music Publishing
signs and banners "on 28th street." It is simply
a case of fellow-feeling that makes the"artistic"
Business with Publishers Very Satisfactory— spirit wondrous kind to themselves.
The main work in hand at present has to do
Summer Songs Being "Tried Out"—The
Situation, Viewed from Every Standpoint, with "summer songs." They are being tried out,
and each is pronounced a sure enough winner by
Pleasing.
their respective sponsors. The greater number
With publishers the spring campaign is on in of them laud "Dear Old Coney Isle," with other
full force, and every promising product of the resorts far in the rear, or take the trolley ride
"song factories," as one leading light observed, is as a theme, with a number of really meritorious
melodies shaped up for the demand that is now
being pushed to the utmost, with the hope that
the fickle public will kindly shower its particular developing. Bands, orchestras and professional
favor in their direction. In other words, every singers are arranging their summer programmes
publishing house has its lightning rod in good and repertoires, and arranging for an unusual
working order, patiently, and in some instances busy season ahead, and their laudable efforts are
impatiently, waiting for the heaven-sent messen- receiving every encouragement from the inter-
ger commonly known as a "hit." The producer ested publisher.
Jobbers are immersed in business to their eyes,
of popular airs on this score is always in a fever
of excitement in this respect; and, if the truth and in referring to current conditions between a
were known, the publisher of what is described hurried inspection of an unusually heavy mail
as "better class" music is pretty much in the Monday, one of them said to The Review: "Busi-
same frame of mind, though outwardly calm, cool, ness is great—can't complain even a little bit
collected and conservative when this always in- regarding orders. Collections are not what they
teresting topic is under discussion. When a seri- should be, and even some of our prominent deal-
ous composition proves a good seller, approximat- ers are getting altogether too slow to suit our
ing the million mark (alas! how few) the pub- fancy. They advise us money is coming in
lisher thereof is not only on the tip-toe of excite- tardily, but they keep right on buying big bills
ment, but is arranging to buy an automobile, a just the same. We propose to 'jack up' a few for
suburban home, or jewels galore, just like the an example. Everthing is running along smooth-
ly—a lot of fairly good sellers, but no extraor-
mercurial gentleman who displays ostentatious
dinary hit. A sort of an even market, and good
at that."
CAMPAIGN NOW ON IN FULL FORCE.
GREAT SUMMER HIT!!
"MEET ME DOWN AT LUNA, LENA"
Biggest Season Song on the Market ! Get it!
"DO DROP IN AT DEW-DROP I N N "
Charming Waltz Song! A Hit!
'SERGEANT BRUE" PROVES A SUCCESS.
(Special to Tne Review.)
THE BIG SENSATIONAL SELLING
SONG HIT OF 1905,
Philadelphia, Pa., April 3, 1905.
The first American presentation of "Sergeant
Brue," an English musical farce, took place to-
night at the Chestnut Street Theatre. The piece
was interpreted by Frank Daniels and Blanche
Ring, assisted by a capable company.
The libretto is by Owen Hall, and the music by
Liza Lehman. The song hit of the play was
"Skating," with "All in the Line of Duty," a good
second favorite. Both are interpolations by West
and Bratton, and published by M. Witmark &
Sons. The house was well filled and the piece
met with hearty approval of the audience.
"EASY
JOS. W. STERN & CO. WIN AN IMPORTANT
SUIT.
"BUSTER
Cartoon Song.
BROWN"
Hit in " Buster Brown" Pro-
duction.
"AIN'T ANYBODY EVER
GOIN' TO B U Y "
Latest Coon Song and a Winner!
Al>I)KESS ALL OBJ)EUS TO
THEATRICAL MUSIC SUPPLY CO.
44 West 28th Street, New York
STREET"
Also
Kisses,
Love in a Phonograph,
A Bit O' Blarney,
Georgia,
A Mormon Coon,
A House to Rent.
PUBLISHED BY
SOL BLOOM
New Amsterdam Theatre Bldg.,
NEW YORK
POPULAR SONG and INSTRUMENTAL HITS
POLLY PRIM MARCH
SHAME ON YOU
ZEL-ZEL
BIG INDIAN CHIEF
PETER PIPER MARCH
EGYPT
I WANT TO BE A SOLDIER
PEGGY BRADY
LADY TEAZLE
MADCAP PRINCESS
RED FEATHER
I
I
ISLE OF SPICE
SAMBO GIRL
MAMA'S PAPA
Published by
JOS. W. STERN 6 CO.,
34 East 21st St., New York
CHICAGO
LONDON
SAN FRANCISCO
INSTRUMENTAL SUCCESSES
Published for piano aolo, orchestra, band, violin and
all combinations of mandolins, guitars and banjoB.
Evangellne Caprice—The Maestro March—Flower of
Mexico, Intermezzo—Belle of the Highlands—American
Guild March.
C. L. PARTEE MUSIC CO.
23 EAST 20TH ST.
NEW YORK CITY
A suit for an accounting upon popular songs
came up Wednesday last in Part 12, Special Term,
New York Supreme Court, before Judge Green-
baum. It was brought by Harry Dacre (a song
writer of London, Eng., and author of "Daisy
Bell," etc.), against Jos. W. Stern & Co., music
publishers of New York City. The decision ren-
dered was against Mr. Dacre and in favor of
Stern & Co., after a complete examination of
numerous accounts, dating back as far as seven
years, relating to the songs, "Elsie from Chelsea,"
"1 Can't Think of Nothing Else But You," "I'll
Be Your Sweetheart," "As Your Hair Grows
Whiter," and others mentioned in the complaint.
An examination of the firm's books for the entire
period, from 1897 to date, lasting almost an en-
tire day, resulted in a complete victory for the
publishers and a vindication of each separate
song. The printing books of Robert Teller, Sons
& Dorner were also examined in open court and
found to tally correctly on each song with the
royalty statements furnished to Dacre by Stern
& Co., and with the firm's accounts. The case
was dismissed on the merits, without the de-
fendants being required to furnish any further
evidence.
Proctor's theatres are attracting large crowds
these days. It is safe to say never before were
such values given as at these theatres.
REVIEWOGRAPHS.
Rumors of a piratical onslaught on the pre-
serves of several prominent publishing houses
kept a lot of people guessing last week. It was
reported that the illegitimate marketing of a large
number of current sellers was under way, and
on a scale that created considerable alarm among
the publishers supposedly hard hit. Cautionary
signals to the trade had been prepared and were
ready to launch. When, after hurried confer-
ences, it was finally ascertained that the so-called
pirates were the creations of the superheated gen-
tlemen who are responsible for the gossip of the
"street." As one publisher expressed it: "This
is a queer business and its equilibrium is likely
to be upset any day by merry wars that seldom
have any foundation in fact. The gossip is end-
less, often malicious, but rarely has the slightest
basis of truth. The present instance, which had
a lot of us by the ears last week, is a fair sample
of what a scare may be created by the 'same old
crowd.' "
Chas. K. Harris points with pride to his new
song successes for the year 1905, and says: "All
are clean, pure songs, free from any taint of vul-
garity; songs that can be brought into the homes
and sung by wives, sweethearts and children;
each song a gem, and that is one of the secrets
of my wonderful success in the composing of
ballads as well as the publishing of them. I know,
understand and feel the public pulse." The fol-
lowing songs, which are reigning successes, have
been written by Mr. Harris and his staff of well-
known composers: "I'm Trying So Hard to For-
get You," "Waltzing with the Girl You Love,"
"Sweet Maid Divine," "Why Don't They Play
with Me." "Down in the Vale of Shenandoah,"
"Farewell, Sweetheart May," "Just a Gleam of
Heaven in Her Eyes," "For Sale, a Baby," "I've
Got My Fingers Crossed, You Can't Touch Me,"
"Sweet Sana-oo," "I'm Going to Leave You." Mr.
Harris ran down to Baltimore last week to see
the production of "Higgledy-Piggledy," and on
his return Monday stated it was drawing tremen-
dous houses, and "The Game of Love" became an
instant favorite.
The seething caldron of "Twenty-eighth street"
is being aroused over the prudence of one of the
very latest additions to the list of publishers in
that classic locality of gladsome music, who is
taking out his copyright titles in the name of the
janitor of the building in which he has a modest
office. Perhaps the reasons for this are obvious
to those on the inside, but it is a new develop-
ment even in that section of versatility and re-
sourcefulness in the avoidance of legal liability.
Jos. W. Stern & Co. have secured the publish-
ing rights of a new musical extravaganza entitled
"Kafoozelum," which is to be produced on May 15
at Hyde & Behman's Theatre, Chicago. The li-
bretto is by Allan Lowe, author of "The Isle of
Spice," and the musical score by George Rosey.
He had been "touched" for his diamond shirt
stud, and the wife of his bosom was regretting
the loss from the fact that for seventeen long
years the jewel was the pride of the family. The
loser comforted his better half by remarking:
"Of course I am sorry the stone is gone, but, my
dear, in size it was altogether too small for a
publisher." The joke is, the gentleman has re-
cently become a member of what some song writ-
ers describe as the plutocratic publishing circle.
The trade is crediting F. B. Haviland Pub-
lishing Co. with a business of great proportions,
and what is better still, constantly on the up-
grade. His list of winners is of goodly length,
with the output of "Teddy" Morse's prolific and