DJ Professor Dan's "From Thomas Edison To Duke Ellington"

   (In Which We Meet Billy Murray, The First “Famous Record Maker” To Have A Discernible Personality. And George M. Cohan, The Broadway Genius Who Turned Patriotism into Populist Pop, And Teddy Roosevelt, The President They Probably Both Voted For!) In 1903 a new “Famous Record Maker” arrived. This was a relatively rare occurrence at the time. Since the songs were far more important than whoever’s name was on the cylinder – or very rarely, actual records - The phonograph companies didn’t spend a lot of time searching for new talent. They were happy to stick with the handful of hammerers they had. But Billy Murray was different. According to the advertising blurb, Billy’s voice was “unusually clear.” He had “distinct enunciation.” “There (was) never any doubt about the words of a song when Billy sings it!” Which is a useful talent to have, to be sure. Thomas Edison – who was going deaf at the time – particularly appreciated it.  But Billy’s appeal went further tha...