Art Gillham
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Art Gillham, (born January 1, 1895 in St. Louis, Missouri; died June 6, 1961 in Atlanta, Georgia), was a song writer, among the first "crooners" as a pioneer radio artist and a recording artist for Columbia Records.
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[edit] Songwriter
With Billy Smythe and Scott Middleton he wrote Hesitation Blues, which he also recorded as one of the first electrical recordings for Columbia Records. He and Billy Smythe wrote approximately 100 songs together, including "Mean Blues", "Just Forget", "The Deacon Told Me I Was Good", "Just Waiting For You", "Crying Again", "Things That Remind Me Of You", and what was recorded as the first successful electrical recording "You May Be Lonesome". With J. Russell Robinson he wrote "In My Sweetheart's Arms".
[edit] Pioneer radio artist
As a song plugger for Ted Browne Music, Art Gillham traveled around the United States. When radio began he would stop at radio stations in his travels to promote the music published by Ted Browne and other music publishers. In 1923 he was dared to sing over the radio. The response encouraged him to continue. He sang in a soft "crooning" voice and while appearing in February, 1924 on WSB (AM) in Atlanta was dubbed "The Whispering Pianist" by the station's general manager, Lambdin Kay. On November 4, 1924 he appeared on the Presidential
election of 1924 Election Night broadcast of the Eveready Hour over WEAF with an 18 station "hookup", with Will Rogers, Wendell Hall and Carson Robison. Before networks were formed Art Gillham appeared on over 300 radio stations. Sometimes he broadcast from airfields with a portable keyboard on the field. In 1930 he had two CBS programs: "Breakfast With Art" and "Syncopated Pessimism". He ended his radio programs with the question "Have you got a cup of coffee in your pocket?" From 1937 through 1954 Art appeared on radio in Atlanta, Georgia. In December of 1939 he was featured in the first demonstration of television in the South at Atlanta's Rich's Department Store. World War II delayed the commercial introduction of television in Atlanta until 1949. Art Gillham appeared frequently as a guest on WAGA-TV. From 1937 he had regular radio programs on Atlanta's WSB (AM), WGST and WQXI. He concluded his career in radio at WQXI after two heart attacks damaged his coordination in 1954.
[edit] Columbia recording artist - first electrical recordings
In October, 1924 Art Gillham signed a contract with Columbia Records as an Exclusive Artist. When Columbia obtained rights to record using the new Western Electric recording system, Art Gillham was asked by Columbia to assist with the electric recording because of his use of microphones on radio. On February 25, 26 and 27, 1925 Art recorded seven electrical masters, six of which were released. Columbia began using the new electrical process with its other artists beginning on February 27, 1925. The first electrical master was 140125, "You May Be Lonesome" released on Columbia 328-D, the first issue being on Columbia's "flag" label prior to the change to the black label. Victor began using the electrical process in March of 1925.
Art Gillham was a popular artist with Columbia from 1924 through 1931. His 130 recordings included Angry, I'm Confessing, Shine On, Harvest Moon, I'd Climb The Highest Mountain, Cecilia, I'm Waiting For Ships That Never Come In, Thinking, Tenderly. Most of his recordings were vocals with his piano accompaniment. Some recordings included small groups which included Red Nichols, Benny Goodman, Miff Mole, Jimmy Dorsey and others. A part of his style was to talk to "the customers" or to his fingers. Being a tall thin man with thick wavy hair, he created an image of himself on radio and records as an old fat bald man who was always having trouble with women and thus sang "sob songs".
His primary competitors were Gene Austin, Little Jack Little, Cliff Edwards, and Jack Smith. Jack Smith began recording for Victor in the Fall of 1925. Victor set him up as a direct competitor by calling him the "Whispering Baritone" or Whispering Jack Smith and alleged Art Gillham was imitating Jack Smith. Columbia began advertising Art Gillham as "Famous Enough To Be Imitated."
In 1926 Columbia imported record presses To Sidney, Australia. The first Australian Columbia pressing was Art Gillham's "In Your Green Hat" and "It's Too Late To Be Sorry Now". His recording of "My Swanee River Home" was released only in Australia.
Before recording for Columbia Art Gillham made several unissued recordings for Gennett, then a couple for Pathe. His first recording for Columbia in 1924 was "How Do You Do". His last recording for Columbia in 1931 was "Just A Minute More To Say Goodbye". In 1934 he made a final commercial recording for Victor which was released on its Bluebird label.
In addition to phonograph records, Art Gillham also recorded piano rolls on the Columbia, Supertone, Mel-O-Dee, Vocalstyle and Duo-Art labels.
While recording for Columbia he made regular tours of the Pantages and Loews vaudeville circuits in the south and west. However, his whispering style was not as successful in theaters as they did not have microphones. Everywhere he appeared on stage he also appeared on radio and in music and record stores. Window displays featured his recordings and piano rolls.
[edit] References
- Brian Rust, The Columbia Master Book Discography, Volume III, Greenwood Press, 1999
- Brian Rust, Jazz and Ragtime Records 1897-1942, Mainspring Press, 2002
- Brian Rust, The Complete Entertainment Discography Arlington, 1973
- Michael Pitts and Frank Hoffman, The Rise Of The Crooners, Scarecrow Press, 2002
- Donald Russell Connor, BG On The Record - A Bio-Discography Of Benny Goodman, Arlington, 1969
- Roger Kinkle, The Complete Encyclopedia of Popular Music And Jazz 1900-1950, Arlington House, 1974
- Tom Lord, The Jazz Discography, Lord Music Reference, 1992
- Ross Laird, Tantalizing Tingles
- Joseph Csida, American Entertainment: A Unique History of Popular Show Business, Watson-Guptill, 1978
- Thomas A. Delong, Radio Stars An Illustrated Biographical Dictionary Of 953 Performers 1920-1960, 1996
- Jim Walsh, Art Gillham in Hobies Magazine, September, 1957
- Woody Backensto, Art Gillham in Record Research, March, 1963
- Unpublished: the Art Gillham Scrapbook
- Georgia Music Hall Of Fame in Macon, GA has the complete 78 rpm recordings in its library.
