January 23 1909 -- A ragtime 'American Idol' contest was held last night. Singers and dancers competed in a number of categories, and apparently a good time was had by all. However, the proccedings did not stimulate Herriman's creative juices beyond a tableaux of caricatures.
Interesting to see that Phil Stebbing competed. The recording studio he started with his brother in the 1940s is still thriving in New Zealand.
ReplyDeleteWhat Misto Simpson was singing:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrAk5DnxU_o
It was referenced in a piece about Oliver Hardy, who sang it as a kid.