24
September 27, 1924.
PRESTO
PHENOMENA OF REMICK SONGS
Sales Conditions Here and There Puzzle the Students
of Song Hit Causes.
No sheet music man has figured out why a song
which in one place is just a good seller, in another
place, of more or less distance away, breaks the rec-
ord for sales. The Jerome H. Remick & Co.'s song,
"Mandalay," has jumped to the status of a great
"hit," in Portland, Ore., according to a report of the
company, while in Chicago "There's Yes, Yes in Your
Eyes" is the biggest seller. But those interested in
the phenomena of the sheet music counter say that
the condition of the demands for the song in Chicago
is a satisfactory indication of its merit.
"I Wonder Who's Dancing with You Tonight,"
another Remick song of the same alluring order as
"There's Yes, Yes in Your Eyes," provides no prob-
lem for the phenomena students. It is a good seller
everywhere. And "Bring Back the Old-Fashioned
Waltz," which has claims to favor on account of the
title, is an equally lively seller in cities east and west.
The Remick winner, "Bring Back the Old-Fash-
ioned Waltz," is one that invites the dancers to sing
while they dance, and this quality has augmented the
popularity of a great many song-dances in recent
years. There is something pleasantly significant in
that fact about the Remick song. It is a compliment
spontaneously expressed by the singers. Nothing ad-
vertises a new song so well as having it featured in a
dance hall and in the dancing events in the clubs
and homes. Thousands of buyers of the music of
"Bring Back That Old-Fashioned Waltz" were "sold"
when they first heard it and hummed it on the danc-
ing floor.
SHEET MUSIC TRADE NOTES
A Few Items Interesting to People in Sheet Music
Department Are Printed.
The Witt Music Co. moved from 728 to 625
Broadway, Lorain, Ohio.
Charles Palmisano, music dealer of New Orleans,
is preparing to open a store at 711 Poydras street,
that city.
Charles Becker has opened a music house at
Twenty-fourth and Central avenue, Kearney, Neb.
A music department has been added to the busi-
ness of Earl Graginton at Ligonier, Ind.
The Bensberg Music Co., G. J. Bensberg, pro-
prietor, is settled in its new home in the Stephens
Building, Smackover, Ark.
A new music shop will be opened next week at
642 East Washington street, Indianapolis*
The Rialto Music Shop, Fifteenth and Douglas
streets, Omaha, Neb., has been remodeled.
Carl McNarco will open a music shop at 403 State
street, Perth Amboy, N. J., this week.
Miss Catherine Bagwell has opened a music store
in Pallettsville, Tex.
- Blue's Music House, 7 North Court street, Mont-
gomery, Ala., was damaged by fire recently.
P. S. Berrie, A. E. Astle and G. P. Haley, music
merchants of Houlton, Me., had exhibits of musical
ADVERTISING SONG BOOKS
Editor Presto: One of our customers inquires
about a collection of old-fashioned songs, suitable for
giving out to prospects and the general public. If
you can inform us where these are printed, you will
confer a great favor, and incidentally boost the piano
business, as it is a foregone conclusion that every-
one receiving a book will need a piano on which to
produce the accompaniments.—A Jobber.
Reply: About the best book of the kind within
our knowledge is put forth in quantities by the Illi-
nois State Register of Springfield, 111. We believe
if you write to that concern you will get a sample of
about what you want.—Presto.
Over 50 songs, word* and music for 4 voices and piano,
3£ p.p., 6x9. in editions with special illuminated cover
printed to order as wanted. Mention Presto.
instruments at the annual fair and exhibit at Caribou,
Me., recently.
The Butte Phonograph Co. and the Howard Music
Co., Butte, Mont., have consolidated. The business
of both concerns will be carried on at 129 Main
street, Butte.
The music house of Henton-Knecht, 1734 Market
street, Philadelphia, will be located at 110 South
Seventeenth street, Philadelphia, after October 1.
LOVE SONGS OF OLD MEXICO.
Possibly "Marcheta" started it. Anyway, the song
and record fans of today seem to be seeking the old
love ballads of romantic Mexico. The languid
serenade type of this music is most fascinating, and
it can be readily appreciated why such music has its
popularity. Two of the most famous and most popu-
lar love songs, "La Golondrina" and "Ojos Her-
mosos," are now announced as recorded on Bruns-
wick records, played by Paul Ash's Granada Thea-
ter Orchestra of San Francisco. It is at this theater
and by this orchestra where this type of music was
first revived.
HANGS SELF WHEN JAZZ DIES.
"The days of jazz music are gone and, as there is
nothing else for me to do, I have decided to hang
myself," were the farewell words of Kurt Kranzler,
bass drummer in a Berlin jazz band. Kranzler was
discharged because he persisted in dominating the
band's performances by too lusty application of his
drum-sticks and cymbals. When told that modern
dance music no longer is excessive noise, Kranzler
was seized with a fit of melancholy and disappeared.
He was found hanging by a strap taken from his
bass drum.
AIDS TO SALES.
A stock of sheet music well displayed sells more
quickly than one with which no effort at effective
showing is made. Every number has powers of at-
traction for somebody. Every song and dance piece
is potent with suggestion to the store visitors. The
very sight of a title often prompts the desire to buy
in the onlooker. And whether the covers are plain
or attractive the pieces of music have the ability to
sell themselves if properly exposed where all may
see them.
MUSIC IN BUFFALO.
The addition some time ago of a music room to
the Grosvenor Library, Buffalo, N. Y., was part of
the plans for the encouragement of music which dis-
tinguishes that city. Pianos for practice and for try-
ing new or old music in the library have been pro-
vided. The scores of the Buffalo Orchestra and a
large collection of sheet music is made available to
the public. The Buffalo music trade considers the
library scheme an aid to sales of music and music
goods.
A SALESMAN'S PART.
The responsibility for the building up of American
character in the culture of music and other things
which give lasting satisfaction rests iwth those in
whose charge is the responsibility of making sales.
This is the opportunity for piano merchant to build
his influence, to build up his profits and at the same
time to play his part in the upbuilding of American
character.—Tonk Topics.
GREAT MUSIC PRINTING HOUSE.
It is noticeable that from whatever large city a
popular song comes—wherever the publisher—it is
very apt to be true that the imprint of the music en-
graver and printer is that of Rayner, Dalheim &
Co. That industry has grown into one of national
scope. With the main industry at Chicago, it has
branch houses in several of the larger.cities.
TO BROADCASTERS OF AMERICA.
Lords of the far-flung prattle line,
Give us one evening free
Of "Meditation from Thais"
And eke "The Rosary."
—Chicago Daily News.
GOOD CAMPAIGN SONG
"Charley, My Boy," Changed in Words from the
Original, Helps Gen. Dawes.
"Charley, My Boy," the song hit which is sweeping
the country, has been selected by many different state
committee as the campaign song for Gen. Dawes, the
Republican nominee for Vice-President. This clever
song was not originally written for him, but with a
slight change in the lyrics it lends itself to a typical
campaign song.
"Charley, My Boy" was written by Teddy Fiorito,
who has already to his credit other successes. This
popular composer is the pianist of the Oriole Orches-
tra which is heard nightly over the radio from the
Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago. This selection,
which is predicted by many to be the hit of the year,
has just been released on Brunswick records, played
by Bennie Krueger's Orchestra.
J. X. HEARST'S BIG CHECK
President of Hearst Music Publishers, Winnipeg,
Donates $1,000 for Band Trip.
The band of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light
Infantry, permanently situated in Winnipeg, Canada,
left on September 5th to play at the British Empire
Exposition at Wembley, England. They sailed from
Quebec on the Empress of France on September 10.
It is interesting to note that Jos. X. Hearst, presi-
dent of the Hearst Music Publishers with head offices
in Winnipeg, gave the largest personal donation
towards the defraying of the expenses of the band's
overseas visit. Mr. Hearst's check was for one thou-
sand dollars.
SONGS PROMOTE PIANOS.
It has become quite popular with a number of large
piano industries to distribute copies of song collec-
tions among their customers, the retail piano mer-
chants. The very latest of these collections of old
songs is called "The People's Song Book." It con-
tains about all of the really deathless patriotic and
home songs, with piano accompaniments and quar-
tette choruses. Piano manufacturers and dealers find
it a good thing in an advertising way.
PUBLISHERS WERE PAID.
A writer on the subject of music publishing says
that reputable music houses never accept payment
for putting forth songs. That is a mistake. Some
of the greatest music houses in the world have made
it a practice to publish songs upon the purchase by
the "composer" of 1C0 copies at a fixed price. In
fact that was an accepted rple not so many years
ago. But it was not fair to the public.
THE "IMPS" PUBLISHERS.
There is a good deal of interest in the project of
T. Rogers Lyons to organize the "Independent Music
Publishers Association"—the "Imps" for short. Quite
a number of ambitious song writers and publishers
have joined the enterprise and the first catalogue of
"Imps" numbers is being freely circulated with what
promises to be good results. All publishers are
eligible, however.
REMICK SONG HITS
Where the Lazy Daisies Grow
I Wonder Who's Dancing with You
Tonight
There's Yes Yes in Your Eyes
Hula Hula Dream Girl
It Had to Be You
Mandalay
Bring Back the Old Fashioned Waltz
Until Tomorrow
Twilight Rose
*
Watchin' the Moonrise
v
Counting the Days
Not Yet Susette
Arizona Stars
If You'll Come Back
Land of Broken Dreams
J. H. REMICK & CO.
New York
Chicago
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