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THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
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In tKe World of Music PublisHing
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SEASON'S TRADE NOT DEVELOPED.
Milwaukee" and "In Missouri Far Away," writ-
ten with Mr. J. George Loos, Jr.; "You're Just
the Same Old Gal," the music of which is by
Herbert Dillea, and "My Crucifix," the latter of
which he wrote both words and music. Mr. Gil-
lespie is constantly on the lookout for new ideas,
and the probability is that he will write even
better songs than those which have made him
famous, for he is one who seeks to do better work
every day. M. Witmark & Sons are Mr. Gilles-
pie's exclusive
blishers.
Things are Dull at Present But Better Times
are Looked for—Live Institutions are Getting
What Business is Going.
Those publishers who declare that their indi-
vidual business is exceedingly brisk, are appar-
ently unconscious of the humor of the situation,
for as a general thing trade is dull. Therefore,
while even some leading firms indulge in what is
certainly the reprehensible practice of self-infla-
tion, usually without rhyme or reason, others
are sensible of this ridiculous custom, which is
really more honored in the breach than the ob-
servance.
As a matter of truth the selling for the com-
ing season has not yet sufficiently advanced to
indicate with any degree of preciseness what
trade will actually materialize. The belief is
general, however, that this will be the heaviest
year in the history of the publishing business.
Preparations to this end have been under way
for some time with houses regarded as exerting
the most widespread influence, and it is believed
that in the course of the next ten days the de-
mand for all grades of music will be active and
satisfactory.
Referring to the difference in the manner of
doing business and that of a few years back, an
experienced and successful publisher said to The
Review, Monday: "A few of the old publishers
are still in existence, but they are gradually fad-
ing away. Not but their music was all right,
but their moss-grown methods do not obtain
these days. They lacked enterprise and resource-
fulness, and now stand aghast at the push and
drive of the up-to-date publisher. 'In the days of
old' such a thing as a 'professional' copy was un-
known, but its introduction has been immensely
helpful in promoting the popularity of melodies
and starting sales. This is only one of many
things common enough now, but entirely un-
known and even deprecated at the present day
by the old-timers who do little these days but
prate of how songs sold when they were in the
hey-day of their prosperity. These chaps, you
may notice, never believed in advertising, and
that is where they missed it. On this point they
remain as dense as ever, and will probably always
be of this opinion, which is erroneous, not to
say absolutely foolish, in the light of modern
achievement and success in the publishing busi-
ness."
STERN & CO.'S BUDGET.
Lulu Glaser, in the "Madcap Princess," of
which production Jos. W. Stern & Co. publish
the music, enjoyed a very successful week, be-
ginning January 2, at the Grand Opera House,
New York City. Mr. Englander's music in this
production is very dainty and attractive, has
won commendation as among his very best work,
particularly the songs "Beautiful Isle of the Sea,"
"The Cavalier Song," "The Madcap Princess,"
"Kings of the Sea" and "Bluff King Hal,"
Miss Glaser is to be congratulated upon having
an excellent vehicle for the exercise of her tal-
ents, and she will undoubtedly enjoy one of her
most successful seasons.
* * * *
Dick Temple's clever song satire, "Any Old
Tree," has been such a big hit for Marie Cahill,
in Lew Field's production "It Happened in Nord-
land," that she has requested Mr. Temple to write
a number of extra verses which he has done.
They are, of course, decidedly humorous in char-
acter, and she is greatly pleased with them. An-
other song which Miss Cahill is singing with
great success is "Dingle Dongle Dell," written by
Clare Kummer, whose song "Egypt" is such a big
hit with the "Girl From Kay's" production.
QUICK ACTION AT SOL BLOOM'S.
Wm.
ARTHUR GILLESPIL.
One of the best known ballad writers who has
"come out of the West" is Arthur Gillespie, a
portrait of whom is given above. It is just as
easy for Mr. Gillespie to write verses as it is for
him to breathe, and he is probably one of the
most versatile in his special line that is to be
found in this country. He is a native of Illinois
and he makes his home in Chicago, where he has
hosts of friends. But his friends are not all in
the northwestern metropolis, by any means, for
they are to be found in all parts of the world.
Mr. Gillespie's first great song hit was "Absence
Makes the Heart Grow Fonder." the music of
which was written by Herbert Dillea. His other
successful songs, written in collaboration with
Mr. Dillea, were "Two Souls With But a Single
Thought," "True Love Never Runs Smooth," "I
Will Return, Sweetheart, Again," "Perhaps Love's
Dream Will Last Forever" and "Susan, Dear
Sue."
"I Never Knew Till Now How Much I
Loved You" was written with Mr. Amsterdam;
"Kate O'Toole," with Tom Browne; "Sweet Ma-
tilda," with Mr. Chapin, and "Ain't You Comin'
'Round to See Me Any More?" with Earle Rem-
ington. It will be noticed that Mr. Gillespie is
quite as much at home in writing comic and
"coon" songs as he is in the construction of
beautiful ballads, which proves that he is a very
versatile and prolific writer. "Melinda Johnson's
Wedding Day," " 0 Joy" and "Rosie Clancy" are
entirely his own, both words and music, but he
prefers to confine himself to versification. He
says it is easier for him to compose stanzas than
music. An interviewer once asked Mr. Gillespie
when he preferred to work, to which he replied:
"Whenever I feel the inspiration."
Mr. Gillespie's four latest songs, which are
rapidly becoming famous, are as follows: "In
H. Penn's Interesting Experience in Pro-
viding New Songs for Blanche Ring.
Quick action in placing songs has certainly
been exemplified in a little piece of work, that
was put through recently by William H. Penn.
At nine o'clock on the morning of December 28,
Mr. Penn was looking over his morning mail,
when a call on the 'phone announced that Miss
Blanche Ring was to sail for England that morn-
ing on the steamship Baltic and wanted songs;
could he get her some before the boat sailed?
Certainly, said Mr. Penn, and calling up the
White Star offices, he ascertained that the Baltic
sailed at 10 a. m. sharp. Knowing Miss Ring's
peculiar desires in songs, he quickly went
through the large file of preferred MSS, which
are always on hand at Sol. Bloom's, and chose
four of the best novelties. Rushing out he got on
a car when, after a few minutes a block occurred
and the precious moments were flying. Getting
out hastily, he hailed an automobile, and prom-
ising extra fare to the chauffeur to get him to
the pier before 10 o'clock, he was whirled down
Broadway at the limit pace. At Broadway and
14th street he looked at his watch and it was
six minutes to ten, and a good many blocks to
the pier. However, the pier being reached, Mr.
Penn rushed along and gained the gang plank
just as it was about to be drawn down, and was
safely aboard.
Finding everybody here, there and nowhere in
particular, he put a dollar bill in a steward's
hand and was shown to Miss Ring's stateroom.
By this time the tugs were puffing and wheezing,
and the great boat was moving out into the
stream. Miss Ring appeared thunderstruck at
his appearance, having given up all hope when
the boat left the dock. No time could be lost, and
together they went into the spacious music room,
and perfectly unmindful of the chaotic condition
of passengers, stewards, maids, parcels, bundles,
etc., Mr. Penn opened the piano and played over
the four songs, "A Bit o' Blarney," "Love in a
Phonograph," "Cleopatra Slattery" and "Jimmy,
the Tout" as leisurely as if he had been in the
office. Miss Ring was delighted. Could she have
the orchestrations made immediately for them
Musical Production Successes
BABES IN TOYLAND,
LOVE'S LOTTERY,
FANTANA,
PRINCE OF PILSEN,
YANKEE CONSUL,
FORBIDDEN LAND,
WOODLAND,
SHO-GUN,
BABETTE,
TENDERFOOT,
MAID AND THE MUMMY,
IT HAPPENED IN NORDLAND.
Send for Complete List
M. WITMARK & SONS, New Yotk
CHICAGO
LONDON