Brien inks with University of Tampa
July 3, 2019
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
July 3, 2019
Troy Martin had a full plate for the week of June 1, 1952 because EMI had a conference in Nashville for their 10th-yaar anniversary, which culminated with functions Troy had to attend. This included sessions for my Decca audition, an audition for another artist who did not have access to the Martin mansion since he had not brought three Cajun cooks and a trunk full of fresh frozen seafood.
Also, on tap over at three was a picnic in the park and three days of Cajun banquets at the Martin house cooked by Raleigh. “Fee-ran” and Dudley. On Saturday, the E.M.I, testimonial with Troy’s boss Ralph Peer as head speaker, my interview with Ralph Emery at W.S.M. and the “Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree” and a meeting with E.T. arranged by Mrs. Jimmie Rodgers.
Ralph Peer
At the dawn of recordings which evolved from Edison cylinders. Peer was a producer for Okeh Records (now Columbia) and Victor (now R.C.A.). He was the first to record Mamie Smith, blues singer with “Crazy Blues”. Jelly Roll Marton. Count Basic. Ring Oliver; “Fats” Waller. John Carson with the first “Hillbilly” record in 1922, “Little Log Cabin” and “Bop” Stoneman’s “The Titanic” in 1923, both selling over 500.000 copies and the first “hillbilly” record to sell one million. Vernon Dalhart and “The Prisoner’s Song”. He recorder “Anytime” and “Lovesick Bluer by Emmett Miller on the same day in 1924 and while they were still young, Lydia Mendoza* “The Lark of the Border” with “La Paloma” and Elizabeth Cotton* with “Freight Train” — all when touring the National Polk Festivals with “Via Bruce and the Acadians” for the National Park Service. “Smokey the Bear” we had the honor of appearing on the same stage with Cotton, who was 90 year a old and Mendoza who was quiet elderly, both still plunking their guitars and singing their famous songs. This was in 1981 and 1983.
Peer received no salary, just the right to publish original songs he recorded, which the owners placed no value on. Big mistake! That paved him a path to great wealth by establishing Peer/Southern Publishing company.
In 1914. the great songwriters of the time, Gershwin. Herbert Porter, Kern, Berlin AND Cohen formed A.S.C.A.P. to license and pay writers fees for the perforating of their songs. They left out Jazz, Hillbilly, Race (later Rock and Roll) and anything from south of the border all which A.S.CAP. considered below their dignity. In 1940 Ralph Peer was a founding father of their competition B.M.I, who. from the forties on ate ASCAP’S lunch. Peer dealt with Walt Disney and publishing most of his songs after “Snow White” and cornered publishing on almost everything from South America. Peer hired Troy Martin in 1950, who set new goals.
By the 1960s, Via Bruce and I bad written quiet a catalog of songs and ASCAP sent an agent to Golden Meadow at Rebstock dance ball where with. Harry Anselmi. Ebdon Barrios and a few others, they tried to get us to switch tram EMI to ASGAP. but on advice from our publishers, we declined. Good idea or bad? I don’t know but here in 2019 were still getting royalties on songs we wrote over 40 years ago.
Meeting Ralph Peer
That Saturday. Troy. Harry and I attended the dinner where Mr. Peer was main speaker; requiring me to wear a suit and tie. which I had to rent After his speech he approached Troy who said “This is the Ringer I am pitching to Deeca” Peer answered “Yes. I remember approving it Good looking young man Good LucK”
I met him again on May 26.1953 at the first “Jimmie Rodgers Day” in Meridian. Miss, where at Mrs, Jimmie Rodgers’ reception she introduced me to him. “Yes. I remember you with Troy Martin. How’s that Dacca welcoming?” “Mr. Martin told me it’s still on. They picked up my option for another sue months” “Good, Troy will keep rue informed”‘ Mr. Peer said and that’s the last time I saw him
Ralph Peer died in January on I960 and Mrs. Rodgers died in November 29.1961 I saw her one last time at her home in San Antionio, Continued next column. BYE NOW!
