Walter Lloyd Gross

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Walter Lloyd Gross (1909-1967) was a capable pianist who gained more recognition as a conductor/arranger/composer (he wrote "Tenderly") during the late '30s and '40s, and as an executive of Musicraft Records during the late '40s.

Born in N.Y.C. in 1909, educated in high school and in private music study. At age ten, he gave his first piano recital and he began playing professionally in various bands of the early '30s (including Paul Whiteman's, Andre Kostelantez's and Tommy Dorsey's), and became a pianist on CBS radio later that decade.

After serving in the military during WWII, Gross became an executive at Musicraft Records from 1946-1947. While there, Gross served as conductor/arranger/pianist for many recording sessions, including a session with Rosemary Clooney that resulted in a hit a few years later.

Her rendition of "Tenderly" became a million seller in the early '50s, and was the biggest single Gross ever wrote. Some of his other, better-known songs are "Your Love," "I'm in a Fog About You," and "Just a Moon Ago." When songwriting, Gross most often collaborated with Jack Lawrence, Carl Sigman, and Ned Washington, among others. He also played piano on various dates, including a few led by him, as well as in bands led by Paul Whiteman, Maxine Sullivan, Alec Wilder, Raymond Scott, and more. Gross moved out to California during the '50s, making occasional club appearances.