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Posted by: Karen Fishman
This blog post was co-written with Bryan Cornell, Reference Librarian, Recorded Sound Section, Library of Congress. Tis the season for Christmas carols and familiar holiday favorites, but did you know Santa Claus recorded for Victor Records? Well, not really. Gilbert Girard was a talented performer who frequently recorded children’s records with popular recording artist Len Spencer. He also …
Posted in: Christmas, Recorded Sound
Posted by: Karen Fishman
This blog post was co-written with Jan McKee, Reference Librarian, Recorded Sound Section, Library of Congress It wouldn’t be St. Patrick’s Day without some sentimental Irish ballads to listen to with our green beer, and the name that is most synonymous with Irish ballads is John McCormack. John McCormack (1884-1945) was an Irish born American …
Posted in: Early Recording Industry, Jukebox, National Recording Registry, Recorded Sound, Uncategorized
Posted by: Karen Fishman
With only two days until Valentine’s Day, we thought we’d look at one of the sweetest and most popular love songs, “They Didn’t Believe Me.” Composer Jerome Kern wrote the music for a 1914 American adaptation of a British musical. Don Tyler writes in his book, Hit Songs, 1900-1915: The Girl from Utah was brought …
Posted in: Recorded Sound, Valentine's Day
Posted by: Karen Fishman
This blog post was co-written with Jan McKee, Reference Librarian, Recorded Sound Section, Library of Congress. The Recorded Sound Research Center not only provides access to the Library’s sound recordings but it also maintains a collection of reference books that support materials in the collection. These books include discographies, bio-discographies, directories, histories, and technical works …
Posted in: Early Recording Industry, Radio, Recorded Sound, Uncategorized
Posted by: Karen Fishman
This blog post was co-written with Jan McKee, Reference Librarian, Recorded Sound Section, Library of Congress. During World War II scrap drives were a popular way for everyone to contribute to the war effort. By recycling unused or unwanted metal for example, the government could build ships, airplanes and other equipment needed to fight the …
Posted in: Radio, Recorded Sound