“Charles K. Harris: First Multi-Million Song”

December 21^st, 1905
On July 17, 1898, the Spanish-American War ended, with the U.S. as victorious.  Today is the one-year anniversary of the war, and when we look back upon the events of the war, and the name Charles K. Harris is mentioned several times.  Because of Harris’s acute understanding of how emotion can raise the sale of songs, he rewrote the song, Break The News To Mother, in 1897 during the War, and the song became an immediate success.  Although the original version of his song, Break The News To Mother, was about a courageous fireman that died in a fire, which was written in 1891, the song did not become a big hit, until Harris changed the song with the hero as a soldier instead of a fireman. Charles K. Harris played an important role in the makings of Tin Pan Alley music in New York.  Many people began to name Charles K. Harris as the “king of the tear jerkers”, because most of his songs told sad tales.  The song became a big hit with the help of the war feelings.  However, Charles K. Harris is more known for his biggest hit, which was in 1892, named After The Ball.  After The Ball sold well over 5 million copies, which made Charles the first songwriter to have a multi-million seller song.  Harris used his name to help make his other songs sell, as many did sell over one million copies, but only a few of his songs were at the same popularity level as After The Ball and Break The News To Mother. 

“Who’s the Yankee of America?”

July 4^th, 1910
Today, on July 4^th, 1910, we are reminded of George M. Cohan who became known as our “Yankee Doodle Boy” after his ‘Little Johnny Jones’ became a hit along with the songs “The Yankee Doodle Boy” and “Give My Regards To Broadway” in 1904.  We are reminded of Cohan on this day, because his nickname is very appropriate since Cohan was supposedly born on July 4, although some people believe it was really July the 3^rd.  This special day reminds us of Cohan, and all of his recent accomplishments; such as, in 1906, Cohan’s ‘Forty Five Minutes From Broadway’ became a hit, and improved his popularity even more, also included well-known song “Mary’s A Grand Old Name”.  Again, George Cohan’s popularity rose with the popular play called ‘George Washington, Jr. ‘ and with the song “You’re A Grand Old Flag”.  Although Cohan was born in Providence, Rhode Island, everybody in New York still thinks of him as if he had been born in New York because of the great influence his songs has had already on the people of New York.

“Kids Business in the 1800’s”

January 1^st, 1900

 Today, in 1900, as we look back into the music businesses of the late 1800’s, we notice how successful the Witmark brothers were, despite their young ages of 17, 16, and 14.  The Witmark brothers formed their own publishing company that had many links, including Britain, Chicago and New York, when they were just teenagers.   Since the three boys were only minors, their father put the company under his name, otherwise Mr. Witmark had very little to do with the company at all.  Their company was the first of its kind because they published “professional copies” and made them available to everybody, especially performers.  In 1899, they published the song “I Wants Dem Presents Back”, which became an instantaneous hit among the people, especially after the song was performed on Broadway.  The Witmarks also published many of George M. Cohan’s songs, and his first big hit called “I Guess I’ll Have To Telegraph My Baby” in 1898.  One of the reasons why the Witmark’s business was successful was because of the popularity of “coon” songs, which had begun to dominate the Tin Pan Alley style.  The Witmarks also published two songs that were considered “rag” songs in 1896; this also brought great success to the business.  

Joseph Stark of Tin Pan Alley publishes black composer Scott Joplin

 August 29, 1899

 Tin Pan Alley Publishing Company makes a controversial move by publishing the work of a Black man.  Scott Joplin, a talented musician and composer, created a jazzy piece called “Maple Leaf Rag”.  Although the piece was turned down for publishing at several locations, Tin Pan felt it was worth their time and they were right!

Scott Joplin was born into a musical family and taught himself to play the piano.  His playing was so good that it aroused the interest of the white community.  For many years Joplin played with a group of other musicians in honkytonks throughout the country.   What seems to have really put him on the map is the “Maple Leaf Rag.”  Pianists, jazz, and ragtime fans and members of both the black and white community flocked to hear him play.  Finally after being turned down by more than a few publishers, Tin Pan Alley recognized his talent and agreed to publish this wonderful piece of music despite the controversy of Joplin’s race.

 What do we know about this Company?  Tin Pan Alley was originally started around 1890.  Tin Pan Alley Publishing Company hires composers and lyricists to create popular songs.  Tin Pan Alley makes their money by selling sheet music they create.  Tin Pan also will pick up compositions presented to them that they feel would make popular sheet music for sale.  You have  probably seen advertisements all over telling you to buy sheet music.  You have probably seen the flashy, catchy covers of the sheet music being sold in all of the music stores.

Tin Pan Alley has historically prided itself on only publishing the best and most popular music.  This time, Tin Pan Alley’s music dealer Joseph Stark hedged his bet that was what he had in “Maple Leaf Rag.”  By chance, Mr. Stark heard Mr. Joplin playing his song and instantly knew that it would be hit. So far they have sold 1,000 copies of this music across the country.   In this case, Mr. Stark has shown he has an ear for talent and great music.

What a break for Joplin!  So far, since making the decision to publish this song, Tin Pan Alley has seen phenomenal success.  Joplin has made a name for himself and for the man who took a chance on him, Mr. Stark.  Both men have received instant nationwide success.  Society circles have also noted that the two men have broken down the barriers of color and age to develop a close relationship.

This newspaper will continue to watch the career of Mr. Joplin.  We expect to continue to see more great ragtime hits from him.   Tin Pan Alley will do well to hold on to Mr. Stark who clearly has a colorblind eye and ear for talent.  Tin Pan Alley and Mr. Stark took quite a risk publishing the work of a black man.  Clearly, Mr. Joplin’s music has been embraced by the white and black community by it instant success across the country.  This newspaper predicts that Tin Pan Alley will continue to have a good business for as long as there is music and people wanting to hear and play it.