Music Trade Review

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
APRIL 10, 1926
The Music Trade Review
John J. Sullivan Is Made Manager of
the Smith Piano Co., Milwaukee, Wis.
Succeeds John Stenger and Will Remain in Milwaukee About Six Months—Appearance of the
Brunswick Artists Aids Sales of Records—Milwaukee Tuners' March Meeting
V/IILWAUKEE, WIS., April 7.—The im- ness during the months of November, Decem-
^•'•1 provement in general conditions noted ber, January and February. In March he went
during the latter part of March suffered a slight to the Boston branch, where he reorganized the
setback last week as a result of the customary sales force, and then came to Milwaukee at the
quiet of Holy Week, combined with one of the beginning of April. He has been assisted in
worst blizzards of the Winter. However, deal- his work by J. L. Neeland, who has also ac-
ers reported a nice business in band instruments companied him to Milwaukee.
The plan introduced by Mr. Sullivan calls for
for the week, and many promising piano pros-
pects have been lined up for April business. the use of women canvassers for outside work,
Circumstances have been very favorable for the as he believes that women bring in a higher
promotion of record business and the demand type of customer and people more interested in
purchasing an instrument. Several men for
has been very big as a result of this activity.
closing are employed in the store. Arriving
F. F. Flanner in the South
F. F. Flanner, of the Flanner-Hafsoos Co., here the Monday before Easter, Mr. Sullivan
accompanied by Mrs. Flanner, has left for a organized his sales force and sold five pianos
trip of several weeks in the Southern States. before Thursday evening, despite the blizzard.
The demand for sheet music was stimulated
Mr. and Mrs. Flanner went from Milwaukee to
Biloxi, Miss., and other points along the Gulf of by the Easter appeal, according to Paul J.
Mexico, including Gulf Port and New Orleans. Mueller, manager of the William A. Kaun
After several days in the latter city they will Music Co., which features its sheet music de-
leave for Melrose, La., to visit a cousin, who partment. Mr. Mueller states: "The Kaun Music
owns a large plantation in that community. Co. reports a steady trade during the past few
While making the trip Mr. Flanner plans to weeks, with a large demand for Easter music."
Hugh W. Randall, president and general
visit members of the music trade in that part
manager of the J. B. Bradford Piano Co., home
of the country.
of the Duo-Art, with Mrs. Randall, has returned
Appearance of Artist Helps Record Sales
A heavy demand for Brunswick records by from a trip of several weeks spent in White
Nick Lucas, "the crooning troubadour," has re- Sulphur Springs, West Va.
Discussion of the annual banquet held at the
sulted from the appearance of that Brunswick
artist for a week's engagement at the Palace- Hotel Medford was the center of interest at
Orpheum Theatre. Brunswick dealers through- the March meeting of the Milwaukee division of
out the city tied up with the event by means of the National Association of Piano Tuners. The
window displays, and newspaper advertisements banquet was considered a great success from
also featured his appearance locally and called every point of view, and some members were
in favor of making it a semi-annual affair. The
attention to several of his records.
A very effective window display in this con- principal talk at the banquet was given by Her-
nection was arranged by the Orth Music Co., bert Antunnes, of Chicago, who gave an in-
which features the Brunswick line, and its draw- spirational address on the work of the tuner and
ing power was proved by the large demand for outlined the great possibilities in developing
Nick Lucas records during that week. As a this work. Secretary McClcllan gave a survey
special feature Mr. Lucas himself appeared at of pianoforte building, marketing and servicing,
the store one afternoon to autograph his pointing out the deficiencies in the present sys-
tem and suggesting methods for improvement.
records.
Leslie C. Parker, manager of the Mason &
Dealers Co-operate in Advertising
Great interest throughout the entire State of Hamlin Studios and a member of the local
Wisconsin has been created by the release of division of piano tuners, gave the dealer's side
the Victor record, "On Wisconsin," played by of the servicing problem and painted a bright
the University of Wisconsin concert band, with future for the competent service man. Ben
"Varsity Toast" featuring the "Badger Song" on Strub, of the Standard Pneumatic Action Co.,
the reverse side. Fifteen Milwaukee stores co- spoke briefly on technical advancement and the
operated with the Badger Talking Machine Co. value of co-operation. George Braasch, presi-
in announcing the new record through news- dent of the local division, acted as toastmaster.
A new broadcasting station, WTAQ, has been
paper advertising, half of the large advertise-
ment being devoted to introducing the record opened at Eau Claire, Wis., by the Gillette Rub-
and the remainder giving the names of the ber Co., and plans for making it a coast-to-coast
dealers, including the American Household station are being made. The studio has been
Furniture Co., the Boston Store, J. B. Bradford arranged and the walls draped with a view to
Piano Co., Carberry-Parker Co., C. W. Fischer fine acoustics. A Baldwin piano is being used
Furniture Co., Gitzel's Music Store, Hoeveler for piano solo and accompaniment work.
Drug Co., Kesselrnan-O'Driscoll Co., North
Avenue Music Shop, Peter F. Piasecki, Rinzel-
Tesch, Inc., the Three Schuster Stores,
Schefft's Victrola Shop, C. C. Warner and West
Allis Music Shop.
New Store, Five Stories in Height, Opened
Sullivan Heads Smith Piano Co.
With Ampico Comparison Recital by E. F.
John J. Sullivan, general sales promotion
Colbcr
manager for the Henry F. Miller Stores Co.,
has taken over active management of the Smith
WHEELING, W. VA., April 3.—The new five-story
Piano Co., home of Henry F. Miller, Smith &
Barnes, Strohber and Hoffman pianos in this home of the Davis, Burkham & Tyler Co., one
city, and is inaugurating an aggressive sales of the leading music houses of the State, has
campaign which is expected to greatly increase been formally opened here. The quarters have
the monthly volume of sales at the store. Mr. been remodeled most attractively and offer an
Sullivan was promoted several months ago from ideal setting for the full line of instruments
his position as manager of the Detroit store t~> handled by the concern. The second floor and
general sales promotion manager for the group part of the third are given over to the display of
of stores, succeeding A. C. Clausen. He is now pianos, headed by the Ampico in the Knabe.
stepping into the vacancy left here by the resig- Victrolas, sheet music and small goods are
nation of John Stenger and will probably remain shown on the ground floor and the roll depart-
ment is located on the fourth floor. The top
in Milwaukee about six months.
Mr. Sullivan introduced his system of sales floor is used for the repair department and an
promotion in Detroit and did a very big busi- efficient corps of experienced technicians are
Davis, Burkham & Tyler
New Wheeling Store
continuously engaged in reconditioning pianos
taken in trade.
On the day of the opening a special music
program was rendered by several prominent
local musicians, in addition to E. F. Colbcr,
who offered a comparison recital with the Am-
pico. Some valuable publicity in the way of a
tie up with the opening was secured by Davis,
Burkham & Tyler Co. by arranging for Mr.
Colber's appearance in the high school and a
number of leading social clubs.
Ned Wayburn to Direct
Ampico Charleston Records
Makes Exclusive Contract to Direct Personally
Ampico Dance Recordings—An Announce-
ment of Great Interest
One of the most important announcements
that has come from the Ampico studios for a
long time is to the effect that Ned Wayburn,
one of the world's greatest dance instructors
and recognized as an authority on stage
dancinsc, having conceived and directed the ar-
Ned Wayburn
rangement of many of the most elaborate
dancing scenes in musical comedies of recent
years, has made an exclusive contract whereby
he is to direct the Charleston and other dance
recordings for the Ampico.
Mr. Wayburn will personally direct the re-
cording of the dances, indicating precisely the
syncopation, rhythm, phrasing and accent that
is desired in the version of the dance as taught
by him. On the Charleston recordings will be
found precise instructions as to the manner of
dancing and the exact position of the feet in
the various steps. This, with the accompanying
chart, will virtually bring personal lessons by
Ned Wayburn into the home of every Ampico
owner.
Mr. Wayburn's success as an instructor in
dancing is indicated not only by the large de-
mand for his services by musical comedy pro-
ducers, but also by his impressive following
among society folks, who visit his studios regu-
larly for instruction. Among the list of such
notables are included Princess Obolensky (Alice
Muriel Astor), Countess Alphonso Villa, Mrs.
Seth Low, Marchesse Cazati, Princess Rop-
pigliosi, Mrs. Efram Zimbalist (Alma Gluck).
Mrs. Frederick S. Church (Muriel Vanderbilt),
Mrs. John Wanamaker and many others.
Damaged by Fire
The Central Square Music Shop, Cambridge,
Mass., suffered a severe fire loss recently when
flames wrecked the huge Central Building, a
four-story wooden structure in the heart of the
city.