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THE MUSIC TRADE
NOVEMBER 15, 1919
face at the present time apparently makes it im-
possible under the present method of song ex-
ploitation to publish music retailing for 10 cents
a copy. The success of 30 cent music is unques-
tioned and the failure to publish successfully
10 cent music at a profit will soon be seen by
everyone who is involved in the publication of
such material.
The legitimate sheet music dealer must surely
be looking with pleasure upon the present situa-
tion. It is certainly an opportunity for him to
partake, in a large city, in the sales of the more
popular numbers, and one that he has for the
past several seasons been emphatically protesting
that he wanted to take part in.
He has, however, still the competition of the
syndicate stores with the lower maximum price,
and whether he can compete with that sort of
organization is a question. That he can if he
so desires, is unquestioned, but whether the aver-
age sheet music dealer has the desire or the ne-
cessary energy to go out and fight for such busi-
ness, is disputed. The syndicates with the larger
maximum retail price, such as Kresge, Kress, Mc-
Crory, etc., are better merchandise men on the
whole than the average sheet music dealer. We
think this is admitted. That they co-operate with
the publisher of popular music on a more exten-
sive scale is readily seen, and that they pay their
bills promptly, which is no small item with the
average publisher, is unquestioned. These latter
things are among the accomplishments that will
make it hard for the legitimate sheet music dealer
to get his full share of the sales of the popular
30 cent numbers. If he shows the proper energy
and follows some of the better merchandising
plans of these large organizations, it is more than
possible that he will make his presence felt, and
will get the proper recognition from the pub-
lishers for so doing.
His opportunity is here, but for such business
he has the competition of most alert minds. The
business is rightfully his in a large sense, but it
is more than possible that the great majority of
the sheet music dealers of the United States will
sit back and see the more voluminous of these
sales go to these larger organizations, who made
it possible to eliminate him as a factor in the
distribution of 10 cent music and who bid fair
to do so on the more popular 30 cent numbers,
leaving the slower sales of standard, teaching
REVIEW
51
"PATCHES" BECOMING ONE OF THE SEASON'S BIG HITS
Herewith is reproduc-
ed a clipping from the
New York Globe giving
a report of a new organ-
ization in Chicago known
as the Chicago Old
Clothes Society. T h i s
Chicago Organizes Old Clothes Society to Swat High Cost new organization has al-
ready adopted Lee S.
of Clothing—Members Known by Song
Roberts' and Will J.
Callahan's new s o n g
They Sing.
"Patches" as the official
CHICAGO. 111., Nov. 4.—This city is mer Chicagoan now living in New
York.
Roberts
dedicated
the
song
to
singing its way to shoddiness—and the society with his "cordial wishes number of their body.
This news item by the
patches, broad, colorful patches that and congratulations."
mother used to sew.onto the long" and Mr. Roberts added in a letter: "Be- way was reproduced not
shorts of childhood. And apparently ing a Chicago man, I am naturally only in several Chicago
for anything Chicago doeB, and
Chicago likes it for the singing-—and keen
it is very gratifying to note that you papers but many of the
the shoddiness—is loudest in the City are the first in this country to adopt, larger dailies throughout
Hall. Chicago likes it so well that such a sensible plan, but—don't forget the country have also
it is going to try it on New York and that New York knows a good thhig given the report of the
and it may soon go you one better."
the rest of the country.
.Thomas J. Courtney, president of organization quite some
Chicag-oans are no longer startled the society, and an attache of the space.
1
when they hear a man humming as Chicago city clerk's office, was one of
founders of the organization. He
This is most unusual
he walks along the street or bends the
is strong for wearing patches to the free publicity for a new
over his office desk:
harmony of song, and to this end
passed the words and music- of song, but "Patches" has
I'd give up every other joy,
"Patches" among aJl the employees of
To be once- more tnat Barefoot boy,
A-wearlng patches, patches, as I used the City Hall, with the result that already been accepted in
to do."
when a taxpayer goes to the munici- New York musical cir-
building to pay his taxes he is cles as the biggest thing
They only smile in sympathy and pal
with the snappy aria on how
understanding—they know the singer regaled
best to economize where it will do the Lee S. Roberts e v e r
is a member of the Chicago Old most good.
wrote and the prevalent
Clothes Society, the constitution and
"New
York
is
interested."
Mr
opinion
seems to be that
by-l^.ws of which state that its pur- Courtney said to-day. "I know, b»
pose is to wallop the old high cost of cause we have received letters inquir- it will probably be one of
living by cutting- out clothes—that is, ing about our society. In fact, we the biggest songs in
new clothes. The society's member- have received requests for informa- years. It has a most
ship, which la nearing the 10,000 mark, tion from all over the country, and it magnetic melody and as
be long before branches'of our
took Herbert Hoover's advice about won't
will be established in : G. Schirmer, Inc., the
beating the high cost of clothing by organization
other cities.
refusing to buy any for a year or so "Then watch for the strains and publishers of the num-
seriously—and there you are.
signs of "Patches" in your own town ber, are taking up this
The society met with popular ap- and watch the cost of clothing go song with a big publicity
proval, especially after it adopted as down!"
drive it will without
its rallying cry the word "Patches!"
and then wont that stroke of publicity
doubt be listed as one of
Clipping
from
New
York
Globe
one better by adopting as its official
the
big hits in a period
song "Patches," written by Lee S.
Which Gives Publicity to New
Roberts,: author of "Smiles" and a for-
of a very few weeks.
Schirmer Number
"Back to Patches" Is
Windy City's Battle Cry
pieces, library, books, etc., to what are termed
the regular dealers. Will the dealer arise to the
situation facing him or will he see these profits
go to the others? The popular 30 cent numbers
mean and will mean to the live dealers quick
sales and good profits.
JONES MUSIC FOR AUSTRALIA
Just before sailing for home, Fred Alberts, the
Australian music publisher and dealer, signed
contracts with the A. G. Jones Music Co. of New
York City, whereby he will handle all the latter's
publications in the Antipodes.
A LIVE STASNY NUMBER
MORE THAN A HIT
A HOME RUN
SEND FOR SAMPLE
COPY
"I'm Forever Thinking of You" Being Featured
in a Big Way
The now A. J. Stasny Music Co. song, "I'm
Forever Thinking of You," is being featured in
a big publicity campaign inaugurated by that
house. The campaign includes some of the lead-
ing national magazines in the country and in ad-
dition a big drive is being made on the song
among professional singers. The orchestras are
also taking kindly to the number. Much material
in the way of display matter, that can be used
by the dealer, is being shipped out to the trade,
and announcements in pamphlet form have been
mailed extensively. The A. J. Stasny Music Co.
have put over some big publicity drives, but
none has been more thorough and efficient than
the one used in exploiting "I'm Forever Thinking
of You."
Paramount Picture Song
The melody of this song Is used eight
times at each showing of thfs
great film
STERN NUMBERS AT THE STRAND
v:*
^ 9uU,ti,Ul>u
<-dob (Phamberlirv
3iS So'DearbornStrttt
Chicago*
Carl Edouarde, the popular director in charge of
the Strand Theatre orchestra, is noted for his
good judgment in the compiling of his programs.
He has the happy faculty of selecting composi-
tions which combine artistic merit with popular
appeal. As his feature numbers during the week
of October 27, he rendered "Now I Know" and
"You Didn't Want Me When You Had Me,"
which are published by Jos. W. Stern & Co.
Harry Singer has joined the professional de-
partment of the A. J. Stasny Music Co.
Very Popular Ballad, 7 Cents
a»« f o McKinley Music Co.
New York