Art Gillham
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Art Gillham, (born January 1, 1895 in St. Louis, Missouri; died June 6, 1961 in Atlanta, Georgia), 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 and what was recorded as the first successful electrical recording You May Be Lonesome.
[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 in Atlanta was dubbed "The Whispering Pianist". On November 4, 1924 he appeared on the Election Night broadcast over WEAF with Will Rogers, Wendell Hall and Carson Robison. Before networks were formed Art Gillham appeared on over 300 radio stations. In 1930 he had several CBS programs: "Breakfast With Art" and "Syncopated Pessimism". From 1937 through 1954 Art appeared on radio and television in Atlanta, Georgia.
[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. Victor began using the electrical process in March of 1925. He 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.
[edit] References
- Brian Rust, The Columbia Master Book Discography, Volume III, Greenwood Press, 1999
- Michael Pitts and Frank Hoffman, The Rise Of The Crooners, Scarecrow Press, 2002
- Unpublished: the Art Gillham Scrapbook
