Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1906 Vol. 43 N. 21

Page 52 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
52
BUSINESS NOT UP TO THE MARK.
Feeling of Disquietude Concerning General
Conditions Prevails in the Popular Publica-
tion Field—High Class Works Are Selling
Well and There Seems to be an Increasing
Demand Owing to Better Appreciation of
Good Music—Leading Dealer Chatting With
The Review Says That Things Are Going
from Bad to Worse Owing to the Lack of
Back-Bone in Prices.
Complete Tocal score and Separate Numbers of
"THE ROSE OF THE ALHAMBRA
9t
Book and Lyrics bj CHAS. BMERSON COOK
Music by LUCIUS H0SMH5R.
Featuring the well-known prlma donna,
lime. LILLIAN BLAUVELT.
Supplementary Bongs In the following productions :
EDNA MAX'S New Musical Play,
"THE CATCH OP THH SEASON."
"RAINING"
By Jerome D. Kern
BHUBBKT BROS.' English Musical Comedy Success,
"THE EARL AND THE GIRL."
"HOWD YOU LIKE TO SPOON WITH ME."
Max. C. Eugene's hit, "IN ROSBLAND" IntermeHn
Published bv
T. B. HARMS CO.
26 West 44th St.
NEW YORK
THE STAR DANCE FOLIO
1NO.
INO.
A
JEROME H. REMICK & CO.
Another Chapped Production Success
THE BLUE NOON
| Publisshers o
The publishers of popular music are not alto-
gether in a pleasant frame of mind, due to the
fact that general business with them is not up
to the mark. There seems to be in the air a
feeling of disquietude concerning conditions
which no one is quite able to explain clearly.
The willingness to supply information on this
score is not lacking by any manner of means,
but the sources of these so-called explanations of
what appears to be a delicate situation are
neither trustworthy nor satisfactory. Trade at
large in every branch of industrial or mercan-
tile endeavor has never before been equaled
in this country. In other sections of the music
business there is no diminution of sales or
briskness, hence the far from happy publisher—
unless in possession of a hit—regards the out-
look with grievous eyes.
That is to say, this appears to be the consensus
of opinion. Productions are apparently the most
profitable development, for in the line of single
pieces, whether instrumental or otherwise, the
methods of doing business are approaching a
crisis, real or imaginary. Jobbers declare sales
with them are strong and increasing, but their
failure to place orders with publishers for more
than immediate needs, is perplexing and discon-
certiner. The legitimate dealer is beginning to
regard their sheet music department with indif-
ference, if not contempt; that is, outside of the
better grades of goods in which they are pro-
tected to an extent that publishers of popular
music never seem to contemplate, let alone make
an effort to cope with intelligently. It is a state
of affairs that is causing the regular dealers to
consider the advisability of "cutting out" the
handling of sheet music entirely.
With something of this in his mind, a dealer
ot long standing in the trade remarked to The
Review: "For the life of me I cannot see what
the publishers are driving at. Things are going
from bad to worse. Their salesmen come along
and sell us a bill of goods, say, for ten cents, and
then go right around the corner and take an or-
der for the same titles so that they can be re-
tailed at a price for which we buy at wholesale.
Besides, we pay the shipping charges and the
cost of placing them on the market. Not to men-
tion inconsistency, this is neither fair nor just.
It will mean one result only, the retirement of
the regular or legitimate dealer from a field now
being rapidly occupied by the price-cutting de-
partment establishment, and the five and ten-cent
store, which are getting all the business. Be-
fore it is too late reputable publishers should
refuse to sell any one excepting at one and the
same price."
Bar,' 'We Never Speak as We Pass By,' 'The
Song I Heard One Sunday Morn,' 'The Lone
Grave,' by the late Paul Dresser, and others so
Willis Woodward, the Veteran Publisher, Tells
dear to the hearts of 10 or 20 years ago? I had
About the Pitfalls of the Business—The
a hand in publishing a lot of these songs, and I
Singer's Graft—Music Prices Cut in Half.
know it to be true when I say that they all had
Time has made many changes in the ways used big sales and became popular on their merits
in making songs popular. Twenty years ago the alone.
"Songs used to have a vogue as long as a year
singer had to depend on the publisher for much
of his reputation; to-day the publisher's pros- and a half. Nowadays the life of a song is from
perity rests with the performer. Willis Wood- three to six months. This is in a measure
ward, one of the oldest of the publishers of what due to the output. Where there used to be pub-
is known in "Tin Pan Alley" as "yellow music," lished about two dozen songs or thereabouts a
was the first to meet the performer half way, year by one firm, it is no uncommon thing for
observes the New York Sun. "I figured that it an up-to-date publisher to issue that many in
would be a good thing to help the artist in some less than two months. In this way the songs
way," said Mr. Woodward. "About fifteen years that are popular or are what the trade terms
ago I had occasion to visit a theater where a 'big sellers,' are crowded out by the new ones."
minstrel show was being given. One of the
singers was using a song of mine called 'Pretty
SUCCESSES FROM JOS. W. STERN & CO.
Pond Lilies.' The song was catchy and tune-
Jos. W. Stern & Co. have again come to the
ful, and I liked the way it was sung. I went
back on the stage and took the man aside and front with a "hit." Miss Kummer, whose "Dearie"
has created such a furore, has written a number
said to him:
" 'You sang that song well to-night. I'm Mr. entitled "Popular Songs," which Hattie Williams
Woodward, and I want to show my apprecia- introduced in "The Little Cherub" last week at
tion for the way you are doing my song. How the Criterion Theatre, Broadway, New York, with
much did you have to pay for the orchestration gratifying success.
Earle C. Jones, the writer of "Nobody" and
and lead sheet?' He told me that it cost him
exactly $16. Then I told him that if he would other good successes collaborated with May Ir-
sing another song of mine called 'White Wings' win in the writing of a new song, entitled
T would supply him with a copy of the song, a "Dan." It has met with unusual success in her
lead sheet and orchestration free. News of the latest production now playing at the Bijou
innovatfon spread, and I had all the prominent Theatre, on Broadway. Mr. Jones is but one of
singers, minstrels and vaudeville performers my the many good writers on the staff of Jos. W.
friends. They were only too glad to get the Stern & Co., and the success of this as well as
other numbers which have been placed to ad-
songs and save $16 in the bargain.
vantage augers well for a very bright future for
"My idea was followed by other publishers,
this talented writer.
and eventually the professional 'copy,' or copy
of the song that is supposed to be the exclusive
property of the singer, made its appearance.
NOW READY:
To-day the idea has become a menace to the
trade, for these copies find their way into the
parlors and homes of the public. The singer
must be catered to these days. If the song has
not reached the top wave of popularity a per-
The "W. W." Mandolin Collection
former who is a headliner will insist on a week-
ly salary to push a song. He gets anywhere
from $10 to $50 each week.
THE REMICK ORCHESTRA FOLIO—NO. 1
"Then there is another thing to be considered.
Performers who do not demand any money for
singing a song must be remembered around the
48 West 28th Street,
INew York
holidays and on their birthdays. I know of a
^ T WRITE FOR PRICES
case where a certain prominent woman singer
who popularized a certain song by two negro
composers received from a local firm a silver set
costing $500 on Christmas. Another got a check
3
for $1,000 and a gold watch worth about $350.
The performers must also be looked after in
other ways, such as through the proper theatri-
Music by
cal and trade journals. They are advertised at
HOWARD TALBOT and PAUL A. RUBEN
the expense of the publishers.
•<
cu
Containing following Real Song Hits:
"When I was on the top I used to get from
V
"THE CROCODILE"
20 to 30 cents from the trade for each copy sold
"LITTLE B L V E MOON"
o
o
of a popular song. Now the rates have been cut
"BVRMAH GIRL"
c/5
to
•_
in half. Years ago a composer received as high
" S H E DIDN'T KNOW" :»
4>
_ra
as 8 and 9 cents a copy royalty on every song
CHAPPELL & CO., Ltd. >
sold. Now he must be content with 3 cents. Of-
37 West 17th Street, New York
5
ten in those days the composer furnished both
music and lyrics. Now most song writers work
in teams, one contributing the words and the
other the melody. So the royalties have to be di-
vided between them.
(GEORGE L. STANDEN)
"I can say without contradiction that the
51 West 28th Street, New York
songs of to-day cannot be compared with those
of twenty years ago. For instance, what sweeter
melodies ever appealed to any ear than 'Grand-
father's Clock,' 'If the Waters Could Speak as
They Flow/ 'Dear Robin, I'll Be True,' by Banks
We do NOT PUBLISH Music, SELLING AGENTS
Winter, a wandering minstrel; 'The Song That
exclusively.
Reached My Heart,' 'The Convict and the Bird,'
Ctrry Music of all the Publishers. We solicit the
'Here Lies an Actor,' 'Always Take Mother's
Sheet Music Business of Dealers throughout the country.
Advice,' 'Paddy Duffy's Cart,' 'The Market on
Orders properly taken care of and goods promptly shipped.
Saturday Night.' "I Never Drink Behind the
THE PROFESSIONAL COPY A MENACE.
-E CHE
'
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
1 Pul >lisl
r
PUBLISHERS' DISTRIBUTING CO.
JOBBERS ONLY

Page 53 Text:

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
THE
TRADE NEWS_FROM CHICAGO.
The Business Outlook—W. C. Polla in T o w n —
A McKinley Success—Jerome H. Remick
Touring the West—Goetting's New Quarters
—Other Items of General Trade Interest.
(Special to The Review.;
Review Office, 195 Wabash avenue,
Chicago, 111., Nov. 19, 1906.
Business, while by no means stagnant, is not
showing all of the activity that has been ex-
pected. The large jobbers have all placed their
orders for recent issues, but retail dealers are
ordering with some freedom, and the quantity of
business coming to hand on folios in particular
shows that they are anticipating an excellent
holiday business. There is, of course, little do-
ing around the professional offices here, either of
Eastern or local publishers. The professionals
are even over the pruning and changing period,
and have their numbers pretty well fixed for the
season, / ^ ^ s u a l , the pruning and changing
period aforesaid brought to light some marked
surprises. Songs that at the opening of the
theatrical season gave promise of becoming pro-
nounced hits and of enjoying long popularity
speedily sank into innocuous desuetude, while
others that did not seem to catch the taste of
the larger centers are coming up beautifully on
the road.
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
ting, the big jobber of New York and Spring-
field, Mass., is getting the ample headquarters
which he recently leased on the ninth floor of the
Masonic Temple fitted up in excellent shape. A
large stock will be carried in Chicago, and the
Western trade can depend upon getting prompt
service. Mr. Fuchs has sold no less than 5,000
copies of Edwards' "I Can't Make My Eyes Be-
have" since Anna Held commenced singing it at
the Illinois.
"THE MAN ON THE STREET."
T.
P. O'Connor Entertained in London—Im-
portant Announcement from Register of
Copyrights—Herbert's New Light O p e r a -
Fake Publishers Becoming Too Numerous.
Following the excellent example established by
the American publishers, the cable announces
that Sunday evening the Duke of Argyle pre-
sided at a dinner, at the Hotel Cecil, London, to
T. P. O'Connor, M. P., to celebrate the passage
of the British music copyright act, for which he
is chiefly responsible. There was a notable com-
pany of over two hundred persons present, in-
cluding several members of Parliament, repre-
sentatives of all branches of the musical profes-
sion and of literature and the drama. All the
speakers praised Mr. O'Connor's energy and skill
W. C. Polla, New York manager for the Victor in pushing a measure that will prove beneficial
Kramer Co., has teen visiting Chicago for the to the musicians of all lands whose works for
past few days, introducing his successor to the so long have been pirated in the United King-
"Gondolier," entitled "Cinderella," and which dom. This would have been a great opportunity
seems destined to become a bigger success than to have presented the resolutions adopted in
any of his previous compositions. The latest commendation of Mr. O'Connor's efforts by the
song from the house of Kramer, "Won't You Let Music Publishers' Association of the United
Me Put My Arms Around You?" bids fair to ob- States.
tain a place in popular favor second only to "Not
Because Your Hair Is Curly." Miss Elaine, by
Thorvald Sol berg, register of copyrights, has
the way, is featuring "Won't You Put," etc., with
notified
those interested that the printing and
great success over the Northwestern circuit.
distribution of the "Catalogue of Copyright En-
Anna Held, now in her fourth week here in tries" has been transferred from the Treasury
the Parisian Model, is making a tremendous hit Department to the Library of Congress. These
with the kissing song and her other Witmark title-entries are transmitted, by provision of the
numbers.
law, "to the collectors of customs of the United
The McKinley Music Co. are having a big de- States and to the postmasters of all postofflces re-
mand on "Sonora," by Percy Wenrich, one of ceiving foreign mails, * * * and the Secre-
their latest introductions, "Made in Germany," tary and the Postmaster General are hereby em-
taking its place a& one of the most popular of powered and required to make and enforce such
rag-times, and "Good-bye, Mary, Dear," is a new rules and regulations as shall prevent the im-
war march song which is making a distinct hit. portatioti into the United States, * * * of all
The Albright Music Co.'s publications are much articles prohibited by this act." The fee charged
appreciated by the purveyors of "canned music," for Part 3, containing the registrations for music,
to use Mr. Sousa's pet phrase. The Perforated is $2 annually. This catalogue is to be published
Music Roll Co., of New York, have just made hereafter in four parts, the separation in distinct
records of "Os-ka-loo-sa-loo," "Love's Own portions being more convenient to persons di-
Waltz," "Parting Hour Waltz," "Panama Rag" rectly concerned, and at less cost.
and "The Black Laugh."
Billee Taylor is singing with great success "I
"The Music and the Maid," the new musical
Guess I'll Take the Train Back Home," pub-
play, with A. Baldwin Sloane as composer, and
lished by the J. T. Branen Co. The Pan-Ameri-
Allen Lowe supplying the book, will have its pre-
can Quartette is winning reported encores with
miere at Providence, R. I., December 17. The
"Everyone Was Meant for Someone," words by
title of Victor Herbert's new light opera, which
Jeff T. Branen and music by Evan Lloyd, whose
he is writing for Joe Weber, is "The Magic
"You're an Indian" is still a big seller. "In the
Knight," paraphrasing Wagner's "Tannhauser."
Shade of My Bungalow," "Don't Be So Shy" and
The musical numbers are said to be among the
"Why Don't You Spend Something Else Besides
best ever written by this talented composer, and
the Evening?" are Branen numbers which have
a special company, entirely different in artistic
met with a gratifying amount of popular favor.
standing from that heretofore seen in this pop-
Jerome H. Remick is now on a trip through the ular New York music hall, has been engaged.
middle and Eastern States, visiting the various The publishing rights of these productions are
stores in which he owns the sheet music depart- controlled by Chas. K. Harris.
ments. He will go to New York, and on his re-
turn will spend a week in Chicago. The fine new
George L. Standen, of the Publishers' Distribut-
building of Jerome H. Remick & Co., at 68-70
Farmer street, Detroit, is nearing completion, ing Co., the new jobbing house which is making
and the firm expect to. move into it before the a hit for fair and honorable dealing with legiti-
first of the year, when they will have one of the mate music dealers, has been on a selling trip
most complete music publishing plants' in the for the past week, scoring his usual success.
country. The first issue that will be turned out
in the new plant will be the "Dance of the June
Among the latest issues from M. Witmark &
Bugs," which they recently purchased from Sons are the following: Vocal—"Take a Sail in
Rohlflng, of Milwaukee.
My Boat," by Nat D. Mann; "The Heart of a
Schuyler Sisters start on the road this week, Sailor Is True" (in "The Girl and the Gov-
singing two of Sol Bloom's latest successes, ernor"), by Julian Edwards; "She's So Much
Like Her Mother," by Ernest R. Ball; "Light and
"Carissima" and "Roses at Twilight."
F. W. Hager, of Helf & Hager, New York, is a Free," by C. A. Egener. Instrumental—"Bill Sim-
mons," two-step, by G. A. Spink; "Society
visitor this week.
R. D. Fuchs, Western manager for A. H. Goet- Belles," two-step, by Harry L. Stone.
The so-called fake publishers are becoming
more numerous and bolder in their questionable
methods than ever. The number of people—out-
side of the regular and known writers of music
and captivating lyrics not so easily gulled—in
private life who are being "taken in" make up
a long list. The Review is importuned for in-
formation respecting these concerns daily, and
the inquiries are many and curious. They are
usually referred to the publishers of recognized
standing as the proper people to deal with.
RECENT INCORPORATIONS.
The C. L. Partee Music Co., music publishers,
with offices at 23 East 20th street, New York,
have incorporated with a capital of $25,000.
*
* •
•
Louis H. Ross Music Publishing Co., Boston,
music publishers, have incorporated, with a capi-
tal of |5,000. President, Louis H. Ross, Arling-
ton, Mass.; treasurer, Hallie C. Blake, Winthrop,
Mass.; clerk, John R. Heard, Roxbury, Mass.
•
* * *
Among the incorporations filed with the Secre-
tary of the State of New York on Monday was
that of the Madden Music Co., of New York;
capital, $10,000. Directors, Edward Madden, G.
E. Riggin and W. K. Hill.
HAVILAND AND THE CHEAP STORES.
The so-called "cheap" stores are making such
inroads on the trade of the accepted and recog-
nized music dealers as to seriously jeopardize the
regular handlers of sheet music. Complaints to
publishers have been many and insistent, and in
obedience to this sentiment the F. B. Haviland
Publishing Co. have sent out the following gen-
eral notice:
"It may be of some interest to you to know
that this company does not believe in supplying
its publications to the stores that retail music
for ten cents throughout the United States and
Canada, and will use its best endeavors to pre-
vent said stores from selling its publications
henceforth at that price. We positively will not
do business with these stores at any price, and
whenever we can secure evidence that any per-
scns or jobbers are selling our goods to these
stores we will raise such jobbers' rates. We
do not countenance a continuance of the meth-
ods which are tending to ruin the sheet music
business, and will at all times use our utmost
efforts and endeavors to stop it. The legitimate
music dealer must be protected by the publish-
ers in this matter, and this company will do all
ir. its power to protect the dealer. There are
many tricks in this as well as other trades, and
at times it seems almost impossible to trace the
source of the supply. We, however, shall make
strong endeavors to do so and put a stop to it."
NOW
READY
A Selection from
FRANCIS, DAY & HUNTER'S
Latest Budget of Successes
Leslie Stuart's Chef d'Oeuvre
"The Belle ol Mayfair"
Francis, Day & Hunter, "
OUR "NEW ISSUE"
PROPOSITION
Is ol Interest to all dealers—we furnish
you with any quantity ol our new
thematic catalogues without charge.
We publish "Blue Bell,- "Feelln* lor
You," "What the Brass Band Played"
and other big hits.
Let us get In touch with you—write us.
F. B. Haviland Pub. Co.
125 W. 37th Street, New York

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