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THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
©O0O0O0C30CD0O0C
In the World of Music Publishing
REVIEW OF TRADE CONDITIONS.
NEW YORK PUBLISHERS' MEET.
National Holiday Breaks Into Business Week
—Summer Quietness Now Apparent.
In Special Conference at Which Many Topics of
Mutual Interest Were Discussed.
The week preceding and following the national
holiday is generally quiet with publishers, but
this year the leading houses say it is unusually
so. Trade, however, seems more uneven than
positively dull. The latter condition is encoun-
tered, to be sure, but so is the more welcome
one of fair activity. Jobbers have had an average
demand, and in no instance has business fallen
off so much as to call for special comment or
inquiry. In popular music the sales represent
issues of tried and proven worth—melodies that
have received the stamp of approval of the prin-
cipal centers—and very little is being sold on
speculative lines. It is seldom an air jumps into
immediate favor these days, and when a publisher
ia of the opinion that he has something that
looks good, if he is experienced, plans for an
active campaign of exploitation are considered
and acted upon along well-defined and accepted
methods. Patient work is often, required, but if
to a modicum of merit in the number is added
energy and the knowledge born of experience,
properly applied, the publication will forge to the
front, a success. Lack of this often ruins the
most promising composition. Much of the diffi-
culty and expense incidental to the marketing of
really meritorious music could be eliminated if
the publishers' association, now in the process
of incubation in New York, were to become a live
body of sincere men whose motives would be
above suspicion in so far, at least, as the better-
ment of the business is concerned. This matter,
however, is discussed more fully in another
column.
Herbert's intermezzo, "Al Fresco," "Kate Kear-
ney," march, by Fay and Oliver; "Araby," inter-
mezzo characteristique, Johns; selection, "It Hap-
pened in Nordland," Herbert; selection from
"Woodland," Luders; "Melange of Witmark's
Popular Publications," Witmark; gems from
"Love's Lottery," Edwards; march, "The Victor,"
Pryor; selection, "The Maid and the Mummy,"
Bowers, and selection, "Fantana," Hubbell.
Friday week a special conference of leading
members of the New York Music Publishers' As-
sociation was held at the Gilsey House, owing to
the presence of Jerome H. Remick, of Jerome H.
Remick & Co., in New York. The firm was repre-
The versatility of the modern stock actor has
sented at the initial meeting of the publishers by
Manager Belcher, but as Mr. Remick in person not been generally praised very highly by the
can deal solely with certain matters, the courtesy dramatic critics. It is somewhat surprising,
was extended accordingly. Those present were therefore—and it surely must be very gratifying
E. S. Cragen, with Charles H. Ditson & Co., who to the players mentioned—to read in a recent
presided; F. A. Mills, Jack and Albert von Tilzer, editorial notice from a prominent New York
York Music Co.., Geo. Feist, Frank B. Haviland, evening newspaper that "the artists employed in
of F. B. Haviland Publishing Co.; Chas. K. Har- the F. F. Proctor dramatic companies are at-
ris and Meyer Cohen; Jerome H. Remick, of tracting widespread commendation because of
Jerome H. Remick & Co.; Jay Witmark, of M. the clear and quick manner in which they adapt
Witmark & Sons; Sol. Bloom, P. J. Howley, Will themselves to the very widely varying roles as-
Gumm, with Harry von Tilzer Music Publishing signed to them each week." This is a brief trib-
ute, it is true, but it is eminently deserved. The
Co.
Proctor actors work very hard, and they work
The time was taken up in discussing the money
conscientiously and well, often under trying cir-
paid professionals for singing songs. Very little
cumstances. There is a rehearsal every fore-
has leaked concerning the speeches or the trend
noon, save on Sunday; there are two perform-
of the debate, exceedingly warm at times, as
ances daily, yet never is there the slightest sign
"those present, at the suggestion of F. A. Mills,
of
carelessness in the work of these players, who
pledged themselves to secrecy. Enough escaped
seem
to have genuine enthusiasm and absolute
the censorship, however, to establish the fact that
the exchange of confidences on this exceedingly sincerity in all that they strive to accomplish.
tender point was far from free or candid. One In the Fifth Avenue company actors of high
publisher confessed he carried a weekly profes- standing, such as Henry Woodruff, Katherine
sional salary list of $109 on his book, and an- Gray, Helen Tracy, Chas. Abbe, Wallace Erskine,
other admitted he was likewise being bled, but Geoffry Stein, Gerald Griffin, Theo. Hamilton and
the remainder preferred to await developments Verner Clarges—all known to Broadway from
before going on record. It is certain, however, their work in the Frohman productions—are do-
that the beginning of the end of this nefarious ing notably brilliant work this season.
Trade, as it presents itself to a competent practice is in sight, as it seems more than likely
judge, was thus outlined to The Review this that the influential publishers, not only in New
week: "The market is quiet, and those who say York, but in other cities, will become members
to the contrary are furnishing misleading infor- of the Association, and a plan is being formulated
Jin Old- Fashioned Hoe • Down
. mation. Perhaps what makes us make this state- to shut off this outrageous imposition on the
By GEO. J. TRINKAUS
ment is that our sales are fair, but not up to ex- business in the most effective manner. The con-
ference
was
Successful
in
every
way,
and
the
pectations—not as good as last year. There is
Piano Solo - - - 5O Cents
something lacking in the situation, and this may publishing atmosphere was cleared of vapors that
Orchestra j 10 pts., 4 0 c ; 14 pts., 6 0 c ; Full, 80c.
right itself if certain matters now under consid- have befogged the situation for years.
Dance Ed. ' Piano Ace, 1 6 c ; Extra parts, IOc. each
FULL MILITARY BAND, .
.
.
. 50 Cents
Sol Bloom, chairman, called a meeting of the
eration are successfully coped with, and of which
In preparation for Mandolin, Guitar and lianjo.
there now seems to be no shadow of doubt. Col- committee on organization at the Gilsey House
Wednesday. The Ways and Means Committee
lections might be better also."
THE MOORE MUSIC CO., Inc.
were also in session on the same day.
TANGLE-FOOT JOE
STERN'S LATEST SENSATIONAL BALLAD.
The Quaker City Quartette is to be one of the
principal attractions with Al. G. Field's Min-
strels during the coming season. They will make
a special feature of Jos. W. Stern & Co.'s latest
successful sentimental ballad, "Down Where the
Silv'ry Mohawk Flows," written by Monroe H.
Rosenfeld and Heinzman Bros.
Sam Pickett's "Bluebeard" extravaganza is
proving one of the biggest summer attractions,
playing the cities through the upper part of New-
York State. The first act in the piece closes with
a splendid rendition of "Peter Piper," by the en-
tire company. Indeed this song has made such
a big success that it is to be introduced in sev-
eral other of Mr. Pickett's new productions.
1345 Broadway, New York City
WITMARK'S POPULAR MUSIC.
Both "Good-bye, Eyes of Blue" and "Nellie
Dean," another song success by the same com-
poser, Harry W. Armstrong, are reported by the
publishers, M. Witmark & Sons, as being in great
request among ballad singers and quartettes
everywhere. They will be used in a number of
minstrel first parts, also, next, season. It is cer-
tain that no more striking or effective songs than
these are before the public to-day, so their popu-
larity is well deserved.
S. Kuzuoka, a talented son of Japan, who is
at present touring with Barnum and Bailey's
show, is probably the only one of his race that
sings songs in the English language. This gentle-
man is the possessor of a very fine baritone voice.
George Primrose, whose opinion of a ballad is He is received with enthusiasm wherever he ren-
well worth having, owing to his long experience ders the two popular Witmark song publications,
with them in his minstrel companies, is particu- "Hapuy Jappy Soldier Man" and "Good Night,
larly enthusiastic about the song "There's A Clock Beloved, Good Night."
Sousa and his band is playing "Tammany." The
Upon the Mantel Striking One, Two, Three,"
which was one of the big hits of his show last great, bandmaster has added this rollicking Wit-
season. In fact, he thinks so well of it that it mark publication to his repertoire, and rarely
again will be a special feature of his programme gives a concert without playing it.
this coming season. It is one of the most typical
William E. Slafer's Brooklyn Marine Band is
minstrel ballads with a quartette effect in the adding greatly to the pleasure of patrons of
chorus that has ever been produced, and the Brighton Beach Hotel by playing a number of
author, James M. Reilly, has undoubtedly given favorite Witmark publications chosen by Band-
Sol Bloom a hit.
master Slafer. Among these may be mentioned
JEROME H. REHICK & CO.
ANNOUNCE
"MY
IRISH MOLLY O"
BY JEROHE & SCHWARTZ
The terrific hit in "Sergeant Brue," sung
by Blanche Ring, and other big hits by Je-
rome & Schwartz.
JEROHE H. REHICK & CO.
DETROIT and CHICAGO.
45 West 28th Street,
-
NEW YORK
GREAT SUMMER HIT!!
" M E E T M E DOWN AT LUNA, L E N A "
B i g g e s t S e a s o n S o n g on t h e M a r k e t ! G e t it!
" D O DROP IN AT DEW-DROP I N N "
Charming Waltz Song! A Hit!
"BUSTER BROWN"
Cartoon Song.
Hit in "Buster Brown" Pro-
duction.
"AIN'T ANYBODY EVER
GO I IT TO B U Y "
Latest Coon Song and a Winner!
ADDRESS ALL ORDERS TO
THEATRICAL MUSIC SUPPLY CO.
44 West 28th Street, New York