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52
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
Conducted by B. B. Wilson
PAYMENTS OF SUBSIDIES TO SINGERS AND THE RESULTS.
Theatrical Paper Discovers Graft in the Music Publishing Business—How the Evil
Remedied if Desired and Why It Isn't Remedied Explained by a Publisher.
A couple of weeks ago a theatrical paper devoted
to the interests of one of the big groups of man-
agers discovered that there was graft in the music
publishing business in the shape of subsidies for
singers of popular songs. The editorial was widely
read and commented upon because it threw the
light on conditions that have existed for years,
exist at present, and to all appearances will exist
for years to come. One music publisher even went
so far as to have the editorial reprinted and copies
sent to other publishers; said it was great and
should receive attention. From whom?
Not overlooking the fact that the managers of
many productions, even the largest ones, are par-
ticular^ pleased to have a number interpolated if
the publisher will provide a costume for the singer
and possibly for the chorus, where is the publisher
of really popular music who really boosts his music
to the limit, who will refuse to pay a prominent
artist to sing his song? Some of the most suc-
cessful headliners of to-day openly brag of the
fact that they receive large amounts for singing
certain numbers, and the fact that they continue to
sing the songs of certain publishers season in and
season out indicates that at least the publishers
believe the results are commensurate with the ex-
pense.
The publishers, between themselves, could easily
reach an agreement to discontinue the payment of
subsidies to singers, for if every publisher was in
the compact the singers would be compelled to use
May
songs without pay or stop working. Simple little
solution, isn't it? And yet how long would such
a compact hold good? With the present hot com-
petition among the publishers to have their songs
featured it would not be long before one and then
another house would sneak a little graft over to the
singer; the remainder of the trade would be com-
pelled to follow suit or lose the chance to secure
exploitation through that means and the conditions
would be the same as before the good resolutions.
In discussing the matter a certain prominent pub-
lisher cited the following fact: "In the glove trade
a leading concern reports that the value of gloves
returned approximates 1 per cent, of the total sales
and that of the gloves returned only one-tenth
have developed faults that can be traced to the
manufacturer and make the return legitimate. Yet,
and this is worth noting, the manufacturers stand
fora return of the other nine-tenths only because if
a certain element entered into an agreement to take
back no gloves that did not show factory faults,
some of the smaller concerns would step in with a
cheaper glove, stand for the full proportion of re-
turns and cut into the trade of the standpatters.
It is the same in this trade. If the big publishers
cut out the payment of singers the little fellows
would not only get cheap singers to exploit their
songs but would also win over some of the big
ones who would be sore over having a part of their
incomes cut off. It's a case of being 'between the
devil and the deep blue sea.' "
SOME NEW REMICK PUBLICATIONS.
A TOURNAMENT OF RAGTIME.
"That Old Girl of Mine" Meeting with Success
—Other Popular Numbers.
A Number of Music Publishers Contest for Prize
Cup for Best Songs at Smoker of City Col-
lege Students Last Saturday—An Excellent
System for Getting Cheap Entertainment—
Session Described in Rhyme.
Jerome H. Remick & Co. is meeting with great
success with its latest ballad number "That Old Girl
of Mine," by Jones and Van Alstyne, the writers
of the former successes "In the Shade of the Old
Apple Tree," and "Harbor of Love," and which, it
appears, will at least equal the record set by those
songs. The professionals have been particularly in-
terested in the new ballad and as a result it is being-
heard to a large extent in both the vaudeville and
cabaret fields. "Kill That Bear." a clever rag
number by Jones and Daniels, who wrote "Mobile
Bay" and other hits, also holds much promise of
future greatness and is selling well. Meanwhile
the music of "My Little Persian Rose," by Anatol
Friedland continues to be received enthusiastically
wherever the number is used separately or in its
proper place in "In a Persian Garden," the dainty
vaudeville operetta for which it was written.
GIDEON TO WRITE GAIETY MUSIC.
Be Well-known and Successful Young Composer
Makes Three-Year Contract with George
Edwardes, the London Producer.
Melville Gideon, the composer, who is well known
in the United States through a number of hits
in the popular and production field, has made a
three-year contract with George Edwardes, in Lon-
don, to collaborate in writing the music lor the
future Gaiety pieces. The interest of Frank Gould
in the company is refl.cted in the Americanization
of the productions in the Gaiety Theatre. Gideon
wrote the most successful revue yet shown at the
playhouse and in addition finds time to appear at
the Hippodrome, playing in the Imperial Restaurant
and having a good time generally.
NEW ADDITION OF "OPERA STORIES."
Sixteen New Operas Added to List of Those In-
cluded in Former Volume—Several New
Portraits and Other Interesting Matter.
The new edition of "Opera Stories," by Henry
L. Mason, for 11)12, is especially interesting from
the fact that there are included stories of some six-
t:en operas not included in the previous book. These
include "Mona," produced at the Metropolitan
Opera House last season; Giordano's "Mme. Sans-
Gene," announced as one of the coming novelties
at that house; Zandonai's "Conchita," Kienzl s
"Kuhriegen" and Parelli's "A Lovers' Quarrel," all
of the Chicago company's repertoire; Bizet's
"Djamileh," to be performed by the Boston or-
ganization, and the Mendelssohn "Elijah," being
presented in opera form by the Majestic Opera
Company.
Among the additions to the portraits of singers
are those of Maggie Teyte, as Melisande; Mary
Garden, as Louise; Charles Dalmores as Julien, in
' Louise"; Eleanora Ds Cisneros, as Delilah; Emmy
Destinn and Blanche Hamilton Fox.
ANOTHER "MRJDREAM MAN." •
Harken to me, all ye rhymesters, for I tell a
wondrous tale of the manner in which "poets" for
According to the Harry Von Tilzer Music Pub-
their wares have found a sale. Last night at City lishing Co., the new song "I'll Sit Right on the
Colleg: was assembled quite a host of ragtime lyric Moon," is proving a real successor to "Oh! Mr.
writers who make the Muse their boast, and, mid Dream Man." Further comment is unnecessary.
aroma of Havanas, kindly sent by "Johnny Miles," Several of the other recent additions to the catalog
students of the evening session sat, their faces of the company are also developing in satisfactory
wreathed in smiles. And the smok; grew thick and shape.
heavy as each songster met the test to prove his
latest ditty was the wittiest and best. "I'm Saving
It For Some One Else," "Finnegan Gave It to Me,"
"Come Kiss Your Little Baby," were some bits of
Chas. K. Harris" latest ballad, "Not 'Till Then
melody with which the rival singers, each in search Will I Cease to Love You," and which he predicts
of wealth and fame, entertained 300 critics though will prove another "After the Ball," will come from
the verse was limp and lame. Please don't judge the hands of the printers within the next fortnight.
oh, patient reader, that this tale is quite insane, but The new ballad has a melody that remains with one
I've been to City College and got ragtime on the long alter th; piece is heard and is easily remem-
TWO SONGS IN "THE SUN DODGERS." brain.
- •
bered.
Earl Carroll has written the lyrics and Lee Verily, there was a riot of ragtime melody in
If you desire a man for any department of
Orian Smith the music of two new songs that are the classic halls on Washington Heights last night,
your
service, either for your factory or for your
being featured by Bessie Wynn in the production when the Evening College held a semi-annual
selling department, forward your advertisement
smoker.
In
order
to
provide
an
adequate
enter-
of "The Sun Dodgers," which opened at the
tainment for those who attended, a silver cup was .to us and it will be inserted free of charge.
Broadway TKeater on Wednesday evening of
this week. The titles of the songs are "What Hap- offered to the music publishing house in this city
pened to Mary,' which, by the way, has a genuine which sent representatives to compete for the ap-
Gibson Girl picture on the title page, and "Every proval of the audience. The only condition im-
Flower Has a Melody." Both numbers are pub- posed by the committee of arrangements was that
the .songs entered in the competition should be
lished bv Leo. Feist, Inc.
The greatest Southern song written since
strictly "new r "—and they were. Some of them
"Down Upon the Suwanee. fliver." A
were so new as to be almost "raw," but in spite
Harold and Helen Ballou's
quaint, pathetic song with beautiful har-
of that it was a night of good fellowship.—New
mony of real Southern character, sweet
POST CARD SONGS
York Time?.
and melodious. The Southern song "hit"
Have Caught the Hearts and Purses.
The ONLY novelty in printed music. Original,
of the season. Get this one quick.
catchy, complete with accompaniment and pleasing
King Harlequin, the romantic opera by the Aus-
sentiment. Samples, List and Prices at your call.
tralian composer, G. H. Clutsam, was produced for
METROPOLITAN MUSIC PUB. CO.
HAROLD AND HELEN BALLOU, Publishers.
the first time on any stage at the Kurfiirstan
Maritime Building,
Seattle, Washington.
1520 Broadway, New York City
They ginger up the music trade.
Opera in Berlin.
NEW HARRIS BALLAD SOON READY.
Ain't Yo* Comin' Back To
Me, Ma Dinah Lee?