During the early twentieth century Milwaukee was at the forefront of the popular music scene. The city was home to a number of piano-based songwriting and sheet music publishing including Charles Harris and Joseph Flanner. When the music industry’s focus started to center on recorded music many of the publishing houses went out of business.
Charles Kassel Harris
Charles Kassel Harris (May 1, 1867 – December 22, 1930). Harris moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his family as a young child. Harris is remembered as an influential American songwriter of popular music, earning the title of “king of tear jerkers.” Charles was a very prolific songwriter, publishing more than 300 songs throughout his life. In 1885 he wrote his first song, "Since Maggie Learned to Skate," for the play “The Skating Rink” by Nat Goodwin. He and his friend Charles Horwitz felt the songs in the play did not suit the production. Harris and Horwitz decided to write a new song and presented it to Goodwin. Goodwin loved it and included it in future showings.
Harris' Fame with "After the Ball"
Harris career really took off when his song, “After the Ball,” written in 1892, caught the attention of John Philip Sousa. Sousa played this song at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago. This exposure created a huge boost to his sheet music sales and by the end of the 1890s Harris had sold over five million copies. “After the Ball” was translated into several languages and became a major hit around the world.
Charles Harris Publishing
When he was 18 years old Harris started his own music publishing company, located at 207 Grand Ave in Milwaukee. In the late 1890s Harris moved his music publication company to New York and with the M. Whitmark & Sons, F.B. Haviland, and Oliver Ditson publishing houses form the earliest Tin Pan Alley group. Later in his career he wrote songs for musicals, worked with Oscar Hammerstein, and wrote the plays “The Scarlet Sisters” and “What’s the Matter with Julius.”
"Break The News To Mother"
The Chudnow Museum’s collection consists of several Chas. Harris pieces, including one of his biggest hits, “Break the News to Mother.” The song was originally released in 1891 and was about a fireman who was killed fighting a building fire. Harris rewrote the piece in 1897 changing the lyrics to be about a brave soldier serving in the Spanish American War. This song was also a hit in 1917 and 1918 due to World War I.
Germania Publishing Company
The Germania Publishing Company was started by George Brumder (May 24, 1839 - May 9, 1910). George and his wife, Henrietta Brandhorst, opened a small book store in 1864. In addition to the bookstore they also published a small weekly magazine, Der Familienfreund. In the 1870s, a group of German newspaper publishers were struggling financially so they reached out to George Brumder for assistance. The businesses were officially reformed as the Germania Publishing Company.
German Music for a German-American City
During this time Milwaukee’s large German population supported a strong and vibrant German language press. Many items in Milwaukee were published in both German and English. The height of German language publications was from the period of 1890 to World War I. During and after America's involvement in the war, few things in Milwaukee, or the United States, continued to be printed in German.
German Influence on Christmas Music
Christmas in America wouldn't be an event without all the Christmas songs and carols on the radio, in stores and at homes. From "Silent Night" to "O Christmas Tree", many of our favorites have German roots. References to "silver bells" and many carols flash back to traveling on a sled pulled by a horse. One horse open sleigh, anyone?
Joseph Flanner Publishing
Joseph Flanner, a successful New Orleans music retailer, moved to Milwaukee in 1891 to open his own store. Around 1915 he merged with Eric Hafsoos to create Flanner and Hafsoos which was the company's name until 1994. For a long time that business was located on Broadway Street which was called "Music Row" on account of all the Milwaukee music retailers situated there at the time.
Songs of the Week
In the 1950s, the Milwaukee Journal printed and distributed sheet music in a once per week insert. The Song of the Week Services provided the selected song and the Journal included back pages with facts and images on the local arts scene.
Paul Whiteman, "King of Jazz"
Like the serialized novels found in the Milwaukee Journal at the time, some of the sheet music presented was written by well known people. Paul Whiteman first hit it big in the 1920s and during the 1950s he hosted his own television series, Paul Whiteman's Goodyear Revue.
Classic "Oldies" in Songs of the Week
Like Paul Whiteman, Earl Burtnett was a big hit in the 1920s and 1930s. He passed away in 1936 at just 40 years old so this was a chance to introduce him to a new generation.
Regional Composers in Songs of the Week
Harry Harris was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He wrote special material for Jimmy Durante, Ted Lewis, Sophie Tucker and others. He's also listed on the soundtrack for the music in a Three Stooges film.
"Let's Make it a Family Affair" Song of the Week
No, this isn't the R&B "Family Affair" Dr. Dre produced by Mary J. Blige. It's a more moderated paced Jazz number written by Joe Sanders and Rox Metzger. You can see the sheet music in the title image to this online exhibit.
Chudnow Museum of Yesteryear
Museum Associate:
Nicola Currio
Museum Curator:
Joel Willems
