If It Takes A Thousand Years - Reed Miller & Frederick J. Wheeler (1915)
"If It Takes A Thousand Years"
Reed Miller and Frederick J. Wheeler
Reed Miller sings as "James Reed"
Frederick J. Wheeler sings as "James F. Harrison"
Victor 17903
1915
Music by Ernest R. Ball
Words by J. Keirn Brennan
Frederick James Wheeler, baritone, was born to Harrison and Margaret (Evans) Wheeler in Booneville, New York, on October 10, 1877.
Before starting his singing career, he was a reporter for newspapers in Utica and also Rochester, New York.
At one point the baritone toured with Victor Herbert's Orchestra.
Before 1912, most of his records were issued under the name "James F. Harrison" ("James" is his middle name, the "F." stands for Frederick, and "Harrison" was his father's first name).
Starting in 1912, most of his recordings were issued under his real name.
The name Frederick Harrison was used for his first Edison recording, Standard 8677, a duet sung with Albert Campbell. The song was Harry Armstrong and Richard H. Gerard's "You're The Flower Of My Heart, Sweet Adeline," better known today by the title "Sweet Adeline."
The April 1904 issue of Edison Phonograph Monthly states, "Mr. Harrison has a noble baritone voice that will be much admired by all who hear this Record." The name James F. Harrison was used for his first solo Edison recording, issued in June 1904: "Then And Now" (8714), written by Louis Tocaben.
Following some solo work for the Universal Talking Machine Company (maker of Zon-o-phone discs) and further recordings in 1904 with Campbell (their second recorded duet was "Old Jim's Christmas Hymn," Edison Standard 8708), he was teamed with Harry Anthony, whose real name was John Young. The gospel duo Harry Anthony and James F. Harrison--or Anthony and Harrison--was very popular.
When "The Two Beggars" (Blue Amberol 1728), as sung by the duo, and "That Old Girl of Mine" (Blue Amberol 1737), as sung by Wheeler, were issued in March 1913, the Sixth List of Edison Blue Amberols announced that "Messrs. Anthony and Harrison will hereafter sing for Edison Records under their own names, John Young (Harry Anthony) and Frederick J. Wheeler (James F. Harrison)." But for some time afterwards Edison continued to use the pseudonyms. Blue Amberol 1888, issued in September 1913, featured Henry C. Work's "Marching Through Georgia" as sung by James F. Harrison. Edison Phonograph Monthly credits Harrison but in parenthesis gives the singer's real name.
He also was successful as a soloist; as a partner of James Reed, whose real name was Reed Miller; and as a Knickerbocker Quartet member.
Wheeler reported to Walsh that he was paid $1400 for a year of exclusive services to the Universal Talking Machine Manufacturing Company, the Victor subsidiary that made Zon-o-phone discs. As a Zon-o-phone artist, he made duets with contralto Corinne Morgan, who was normally paired with Frank C. Stanley.
Reed Miller and Frederick J. Wheeler
Reed Miller sings as "James Reed"
Frederick J. Wheeler sings as "James F. Harrison"
Victor 17903
1915
Music by Ernest R. Ball
Words by J. Keirn Brennan
Frederick James Wheeler, baritone, was born to Harrison and Margaret (Evans) Wheeler in Booneville, New York, on October 10, 1877.
Before starting his singing career, he was a reporter for newspapers in Utica and also Rochester, New York.
At one point the baritone toured with Victor Herbert's Orchestra.
Before 1912, most of his records were issued under the name "James F. Harrison" ("James" is his middle name, the "F." stands for Frederick, and "Harrison" was his father's first name).
Starting in 1912, most of his recordings were issued under his real name.
The name Frederick Harrison was used for his first Edison recording, Standard 8677, a duet sung with Albert Campbell. The song was Harry Armstrong and Richard H. Gerard's "You're The Flower Of My Heart, Sweet Adeline," better known today by the title "Sweet Adeline."
The April 1904 issue of Edison Phonograph Monthly states, "Mr. Harrison has a noble baritone voice that will be much admired by all who hear this Record." The name James F. Harrison was used for his first solo Edison recording, issued in June 1904: "Then And Now" (8714), written by Louis Tocaben.
Following some solo work for the Universal Talking Machine Company (maker of Zon-o-phone discs) and further recordings in 1904 with Campbell (their second recorded duet was "Old Jim's Christmas Hymn," Edison Standard 8708), he was teamed with Harry Anthony, whose real name was John Young. The gospel duo Harry Anthony and James F. Harrison--or Anthony and Harrison--was very popular.
When "The Two Beggars" (Blue Amberol 1728), as sung by the duo, and "That Old Girl of Mine" (Blue Amberol 1737), as sung by Wheeler, were issued in March 1913, the Sixth List of Edison Blue Amberols announced that "Messrs. Anthony and Harrison will hereafter sing for Edison Records under their own names, John Young (Harry Anthony) and Frederick J. Wheeler (James F. Harrison)." But for some time afterwards Edison continued to use the pseudonyms. Blue Amberol 1888, issued in September 1913, featured Henry C. Work's "Marching Through Georgia" as sung by James F. Harrison. Edison Phonograph Monthly credits Harrison but in parenthesis gives the singer's real name.
He also was successful as a soloist; as a partner of James Reed, whose real name was Reed Miller; and as a Knickerbocker Quartet member.
Wheeler reported to Walsh that he was paid $1400 for a year of exclusive services to the Universal Talking Machine Manufacturing Company, the Victor subsidiary that made Zon-o-phone discs. As a Zon-o-phone artist, he made duets with contralto Corinne Morgan, who was normally paired with Frank C. Stanley.