Tom Lemonier
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tom Lemonier (March 29, 1870 — March 14, 1945)[1] was an actor and composer of popular music during the ragtime era, particularly active in Black Vaudeville.[2][3][4] His work featured in various musicals.[5] Some of his work was published by the Gotham-Attucks Music Publishing Company.[6]
Numerous recordings of his songs were made including on Victor Records and Columbia Records.[3] In 1909 he joined the staff of music publisher Rose & Snyder.[7]
Lemonier became one of the first African-American actors to perform in a Caucasian play when in 1910 he was hired to play a steward in William A. Brady's production of Over Night.[8] Previously these characters had been performed in blackface.[8] Lemonier's abilities and the positive reception he received convinced Brady to hire additional African-American actors for the role in touring versions of the show.[8]
Playbill notes him as a performer in the 1912 musical Little Miss Brown.[9] In addition to the original production, he was part of a national tour of this show.[10] In 1915 Lemonier wrote the anthem, entitled Praise God We Are Not Weary, for the National Half Century Exposition and Lincoln Jubilee.[11]
Lemonier collaborated with various other musicians and lyricists to produce compositions.[12] In 1917, Lemonier established a sheet music business with Lew Payton and Tom Brown.[13] He appeared on radio station WGY in 1923 as a whistler.[14] In 1926 he was concentrating entirely on sacred music.[15]
Views on Civil rights
Lemonier opined that Civil rights should be acquired over a period of time, and that forcing the issue would generate hatred instead of progress.[15]
List of selected compositions
- Adopted Child, with W. J. Carle, music; words by Henry Creamer. Recorded 1912 by Bob Roberts.[16]
- Dear Old Moonlight, music; words by Henry Creamer. Recorded by the Peerless Quartet.[17]
- Good Afternoon, Mr. Jenkins, music; words by Cecil Mack. Recorded 1901 by George Walker.[18]
- Honey Lou, music; lyrics by Ed Rose. Recorded 1908 by Collins & Harlan.[19] Joel Whitburn estimates the Victor Records version was the sixth best selling recording of late January, 1909.[20]
- I Wonder What Makes It Snow, music; lyrics by Tom Brown. Recorded 1904 by Billy Murray.[21]
- I'd Like to Be a Real Lady. Recorded 1908 by Collins & Harlan.[22]
- I'll Be Your Dewdrop Rosey, music; words by Richard H. Gerard. Included in show "Foxy Grandpa", where originally performed by Joseph Hart and Carrie DeMar.[23]
- I'm Just Barely Livin', Dat's All, music; words by Harry Brown. Recorded 1904 by Bob Roberts.[24]
- In My Old Home (in Dixie Land), music; words by Mord Allen. Performed by Bert Williams.[25]
- Is Everybody Happy? (1905) with Ernest Hogan, music; words by Frank Williams. Included in musical play Rufus Rastus.[26] Recorded circa 1905 by Arthur Collins.[27]
- Junie, music; words by Cecil Mack. Recorded 1901 by George Walker.[28]
- Just One Word of Consolation, with Frank B. Williams. Recorded 1906 by Harry Tally. Recorded 1911 by Will Oakland.[29] Recorded 1928 by Scrappy Lambert.[30] Recorded 1936 by Bing Crosby.[31][3]
- Lovie Dear, music; words by Fred Bonny. Originally performed by Aida Overton Walker.[32]
- Mary Ellen, music; words by Alfred Bryan. Recorded 1904 by Billy Murray.[33]
- Miss Hannah from Savannah, music; words by Cecil Mack. Originally performed by Aida Overton Walker.[34]
- My Cabin Door, music; words by Grant Stewart. Originally performed by Hattie Williams and Sam Bernard in musical production The Rollicking Girl[35]
- My Dear Luzon, music; words by Jesse A. Shipp.[36] Featured in Broadway musical In Dahomey.[4]
- Play That Rag, music; words by Ed Rose. Recorded 1908 by Collins and Harlan.[37]
- Sweetness, music; words by Henry Creamer.[38] Recorded 1910 by the Peerless Quartet.[39]
- That Was Me, music; words by Ed Rose. Recorded 1909 by Bob Roberts.[40]