![]() 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. Jack Smith began recording for Victor in the fall of 1925. His primary competitors were Gene Austin, Jack Little, Cliff Edwards and Jack Smith. Lobby display for Art Gillham records and piano rolls.īeing 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," and a folio was published "Art Gillham's Sob Songs" (Triangle Music). ![]() Some recordings included small groups which included Red Nichols, Benny Goodman, Miff Mole, Jimmy Dorsey and others. Most of his recordings were vocals with his piano accompaniment. 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", and "Tenderly". Gillham was a popular artist with Columbia from 1924 through 1931. Victor began using the electrical process in March 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. III, p 19-20) Columbia began using the new electrical process with its other artists beginning on February 27, 1925. (Brian Rust The Columbia Master Book Discography, Vol. (Walsh, Hobbies Magazine and recorded interview) On February 25–27, 1925 Art recorded seven electrical masters, six of which were released. When Columbia obtained rights to record using the new Western Electric recording system, Gillham was asked by Columbia to assist with the electric recording because of his use of microphones on radio. In October 1924, Gillham signed a contract with Columbia Records as an exclusive artist. First Electrical recording master to be released. On Octohe was inducted into the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame, as a legacy inductee.Ĭolumbia recording artist The label of the first Western Electric recording. (newspaper articles and broadcast listings) He concluded his career in radio at WQXI after two heart attacks damaged his coordination in 1954. From 1937 he had regular radio programs on Atlanta's WSB (AM), WGST and WQXI. Gillham appeared frequently as a guest on WAGA-TV. World War II delayed the commercial introduction of television in Atlanta until 1949. In December 1939 he was featured in the first demonstration of television in the South at Atlanta's Rich's Department Store. (Newspaper articles and radio schedules) He ended his radio programs with the question "Have you got a cup of coffee in your pocket?"įrom 1937 through 1954 Art appeared on radio in Atlanta, Georgia. (photos from his scrapbook) In 1930 he had two CBS programs: "Breakfast With Art" and "Syncopated Pessimism". (numerous contemporary newspapers) Sometimes he broadcast from airfields with a portable keyboard on the field. Before networks were formed Gillham appeared on over 300 radio stations. On Novemhe appeared with Will Rogers, Wendell Hall and Carson Robison during the Presidential Election Night broadcast of The Eveready Hour over WEAF and an 18-station hook-up. In 1924 he gave advice to Irene Beasley that encouraged her to begin her radio and recording career. He sang in a soft crooning voice, and in February, 1924, while appearing on WSB (AM) in Atlanta, he was dubbed "The Whispering Pianist" by the station's general manager, Lambdin Kay. ![]() In 1923 Gillham was dared to sing over the radio, and the response encouraged him to continue. ![]() (multiple contemporary newspapers) When radio began he would stop at radio stations in his travels to promote the music by Browne and other music publishers. Radio pioneer The Eveready Hour (November 4, 1924).Īs a song plugger for Ted Browne Music, Art Gillham traveled around the United States. Russell Robinson he wrote "In My Sweetheart's Arms". Gillham and 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" (sheet music) and the first successful electrical recording, "You May Be Lonesome" (Rust). The song is heard in the following movies The Public Enemy, Of Human Bondage and Fireman Save My Child (IMDB). With Billy Smythe and Scott Middleton he wrote " Hesitation Blues", which he also recorded as one of the first electrical recordings for Columbia Records(Rust). Louis, Missouri – June 6, 1961, Atlanta, Georgia) was an American songwriter, who was among the first crooners as a pioneer radio artist and a recording artist for Columbia Records.
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