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Comments:
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saw a repeat of jms life today, he is and will always be my favourite lyricist
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Saturday 04/03/2010
10:09:48pm
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Name:
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David J. Irvine
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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dirvine@nc.rr.com
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Henderson, NC USA
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Comments:
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The following is an article
I wrote for the Henderson (NC) Daily Dispatch. I hope it resonates with
others.
Local rendition of ‘Li’l Abner’
a reminder of Mercer’s magic
Seeing the Henderson Rec Play¬ers’
production of “Li’l Abner”
re¬minded me once again of the talents of one
of my favorite songwriters — Johnny Mercer. Gene De Paul’s music and
Mercer’s lyrics captured the lighthearted approach to hill¬billy America as it was depicted in Al Capp’s
comic strip, which served as the basis for the musical.
Most of Mercer’s work was done in the middle third of the 20th century,
so it may not be familiar to a 21st-century audience. But if those who
saw “Li’l Abner”
were able to absorb the subtlety of the lyrics, they may share Mercer’s
love of language.
“Li’l Abner” was
the only successful attempt by Mercer to write for Broadway. He had
better luck with movies. His music was featured in more than 90 movies
over a period of 40-plus years. A sampling of movies he wrote for, many
of which have been shown on television, may remind viewers of Mercer’s contri¬butions that have become part of our
national symphony. The song “Moon River” provided the musical
background for the movie “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and won an Academy
Award, as did the song (with his lyrics) “The Days of Wine and Roses.”
Other movie songs include “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening,”
“Laura,” “Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe,” “I’m an Old Cowhand from the
Rio Grande,” “Too Marvelous for Words,” “Jeepers Creepers” and many
others. In all, Mercer received 19 Academy Award nominations and won
four Oscars.
Mercer was born in 1909 in Savannah, Ga. His Southern roots were
reflected in everything from his accent to his gentlemanly behavior.
He immortalized the former in his song, “Pardon My Southern Accent.”
And time after time, people who met him spoke of his courtesy and
thoughtfulness.
I remember an incident reported on the now-defunct jazz radio sta¬tion WNEW in New York City. A fan wrote Mercer
that he thought the line, “I want to be there to pick up the pieces
when somebody breaks your heart,” would make a great song. Mercer
thought so, too, and wrote a song with exactly that title.
Later, much to his surprise, the fan received a check for half of the
royalties the song earned. People who knew Mercer said this was typical
of his generosity.
After his father, an attorney and real estate developer, declared bank¬ruptcy at the start of the Great Depression,
Mercer paid off every debt, even though he wasn’t obligated to.
Mercer was the co-founder of Capitol Records, created to offer an
outlet for artists he felt were being neglected. One of the first
artists they recorded was Nat King Cole, helping him launch his
spectacular career. Peggy Lee came out of her early retirement at
Mercer’s urging to record with Capitol and begin
a second, post-big-band career.
Others in the long line of recording artists at Capitol Records
included Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Betty
Hutton, Margaret Whiting, the Pied Pipers and band leaders Benny
Goodman, Stan Kenton and Paul Whiteman, to name a few. In 1964, Capitol
released the first of a number of Beatles albums. And today’s grown¬ups may have been introduced to comedy with
Bozo the Clown on 78 rpm discs distributed by Capitol Records.
But Mercer was more artist than businessman. His ability to ingeniously
wrap words around a character were illustrated in the tribute to “Li’l Abner’s” character
Gen. Jubiliation T. Cornpone who, as the song
says, was able to turn simple defeats into major disasters.
“When we fought the Yankees and annihilation was near, who was there to
lead the charge that took us safe to the rear?”
And who else could have come up with rhymes such as “Glow, little
glow-worm, turn the key on. You are equipped with tail-light neon?”
Growing up in the South, Mercer absorbed much of the melody and rhythm
of the Creole and black cultures. This background made him especially
well suited to write lyrics for the increasingly popular jazz melodies
of the 1930s and 1940s.
His lyrics for “Lazy Bones” fit Hoagy
Carmichael’s melody perfectly. He fashioned the lyrics for a Harold
Arlen melody that resulted in “Blues in the Night.”
Many of his lyrics were written spontaneously. It was said that he
wrote “One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)” in a bar in New
York, later apologizing to bartender Tommy Joyce for the line, “Set ‘em up, Joe,” explaining that he just couldn’t find
a rhyme for Tommy or Joyce.
A woman I knew in high school and who now lives in Savannah wrote to
me: “One night my husband, Don, and I were eating at a restaurant here
in Savannah and spotted Johnny Mercer. Don asked him to join us at our
table, which he did, and we had a lovely visit with him. He even wrote
a lyric on a paper place mat.”
Mercer died in 1976 but his work lives on in recordings, films and
community theatre presentations of “Li’l Abner.” One after-death episode also helped assure
the continuation of his legacy.
In his later years, Mercer had become an admirer of Barry Manilow. After his death, Mercer’s widow gave some
unfinished lyrics to Manilow, who composed a
melody to go with them. The result was “When October Goes,” which
became a posthumous Top-40 hit.
In 1939, Mercer had put words to a melody composed by jazz trum¬peter Ziggy Elman.
The result was “And the Angels Sing,” which be¬came
a big hit for Benny Goodman’s orchestra, with a beautiful vocal by
Martha Tilton and a stirring trum¬pet solo by
Elman. After Mercer’s death, the title was inscribed on his tombstone.
“And the Angels Sing” is easier to believe with Johnny Mercer writing
their lyrics.
Contact the writer at dirvine@hendersondispatch.com.
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Thursday 04/01/2010
4:44:20pm
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Name:
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Barry Walsh
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Homepage:
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http://barrywalshmusic.com
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E-Mail:
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barry@barrywalshmusic.com
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Nashville
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Comments:
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In Savannah on vacation with
my fiance, songwriter Gretchen Peters. We
fell in love to "Moon River", and just came from the real
river and Johnny's gravesite. It's like a pilgrimage for us. Crazy
'bout JM.
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Monday 03/29/2010 7:43:42pm
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Name:
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RON LAVENDER
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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ron@ronlavender.com
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Referred By:
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E-Mail
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City/Country:
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Acapulco, Mexico
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Comments:
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Lyrics: "I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter" ?
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Saturday 03/27/2010
11:30:56am
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Name:
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Jim Keldsen
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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jkelds@yahoo.com
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Rawlins Wyoming
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Comments:
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Rawlins Community Choir
April 11, '10 presents an all Johnny Mercer Concert dedicated to
America's greatest lyricist! From a town that has always loved the
great American Songbook produced by its home town boy Jim "Lil' Abner"Keldsen
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Friday 03/19/2010 10:19:31am
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Name:
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mark hager
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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mhager@earthlink.net
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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atlantas,georgia,usa
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Comments:
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I have great admiration for
Johnny's lyrics.......
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Saturday 03/13/2010
0:49:05am
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Name:
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Craig Dayton
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Homepage:
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http://www.craigdayton.com
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E-Mail:
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Comments:
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Although a beautiful and
talented actor, Ms Wood did not sing the song "Sweetheart
Tree" in the movie "The Great Race". It was recorded by
another woman (whose name I am trying to locate) and was "lip-synced"
by Ms Wood, according to Henry Mancini's autobiography.
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Thursday 03/04/2010
2:35:55pm
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Name:
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Peter Stöve,
arranger
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Homepage:
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http://www.bernardberkhout.com
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E-Mail:
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pcjstove@casema.nl
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Amstelveen, Netherlands
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Comments:
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I am Peter Stöve, a 54-year old former professional musician
who paid his dues as conductor/arranger for the Dutch stage productions
of the musical comedies “La Cage Aux Folles”,
“Grease” and “Annie”. In the nineties, I delved for some time in the
treasury of American popular music when I transcribed a lot of music
from the Hal Roach “Little Rascals” film shorts. This music, composed
by film composer Leroy Shield, was re-recorded on CD and played
publicly at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw. Our CD’s are still available
on the Dutch ‘Basta Records’ label
(http://www.beauhunks.com/ ). And if you type
in my name at YouTube, you will find excerpts of that concert.
Some three years ago I was approached by a Dutch jazz-clarinetplayer, Bernard Berkhout
with the question if I could help him to establish a Benny Goodman-type
big band. At that time he was enjoying much success in Holland with his
re-creations of the music of the Goodman combo's. I’m very happy to
tell you that our orchestra is now getting along nicely. We rehearse
intensively, and our ‘band book’ is building up. We had quite some
successful ‘gigs’, and our schedule for the
spring of 2010 is expanding. You will find further information on
http://www.bernardberkhout.com/swingorchestra/swingorchestra.asp.
This week, we signed up with the Dutch 'Basta'-record
label. Our first CD will be released somewhere in the fall of this
year. But we also got an invitation to record a track for Basta's Christmas record. We want to record Johnny
Mercer's "Santa Claus Came In The Spring" in Spud Murphy's
arrangement for Benny Goodman, but with the addition of the verse of
the song! This verse seemed nowhere to find, until I found this
website, and contacted mr. Taksler. He very generously offered to scan in the
music, and sent it to me via e-mail.
So, check the website of the Basta-label this
fall at http://bastamusic.com/ and check out our recordings!
Peter Stöve
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Tuesday 02/23/2010 1:51:02am
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Name:
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Douglas Nix
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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leinad_elyag@windstream.net
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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United States
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Comments:
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I have been trying to find
"The Sweetheart Tree" as sung by 'The New Christy Minstrels'.
My search brought me to Mr. Mercer's web site. If you have ANY info
about where I might go to find help, please let me know. Thanks for
your time.
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Thursday 02/11/2010
9:36:03pm
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Name:
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Jonathan Trimm
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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jay_ro_t@yahoo.com
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Pasadena, CA
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Comments:
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Used to live right across
the street from this house. It was gorgeous (as is most of Burnside
Island).
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Wednesday 02/10/2010
7:33:00pm
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Name:
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Norma Doepel
Layne
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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njlayne20@aol.com
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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TENNESSEE
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Comments:
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VERY USEFUL PAGE
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Wednesday 02/03/2010
1:07:05am
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Name:
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Ken Norfleet
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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kennorfleet@comcast.net
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Smyrna TN
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Comments:
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Visited Savannah Summer
of 2006 and Fall of 2009. Always liked Johnny's tunes, didn't know
he was from Savannah. What a great town, can't wait till I get to
come again.
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Sunday 01/24/2010
10:06:04am
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Name:
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Sondra Pickett
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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sspickett@clear.net
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Vancouver, Wa.
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Comments:
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Enjoy the site and not
finished reading it all. Trying to get ahold
of Margret Whiting as my mother passed and found eveidence to show I am greatgrandaughter
of Richard Whiting and want confirmation of such. Any info would be
appreciated. Thanks
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Friday 01/22/2010
6:57:36am
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Name:
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Kenny Ray (Hatton)
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Homepage:
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http://www.kennyraysinger.com
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E-Mail:
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kennyraysinger@yahoo.com
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Louisville, KY USA
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Comments:
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I came across a Mel Torme recording of "The Rhumba Jumps," and was quite taken with
it. When I searched it on the Internet, it was not available, but
the search engine led me to this fine archive. I sent an inquiry,
and was promised a copy in time to play the tune for my next
ballroom dance gig. It';s
gratifying to know there are people who respect the timeless songs
of artists like Johnny Mercer. And he was a great band singer too!
Thanks a million!
Kenny Ray
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Monday 01/18/2010
12:52:40am
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Name:
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Alma Parker
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Homepage:
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http://Johnny Mercer
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E-Mail:
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bugsdonnabugs@cox.net
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Fort Smith, AR
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Comments:
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trying to locate sheet music
or cd on songs from Johnny Mercer. My
Phone number is 479-474-5476. Thank you.
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Friday 01/15/2010
1:45:41pm
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Name:
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dolnośląska autogiełda
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Homepage:
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http://auto.maxi-24.pl
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E-Mail:
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maxi24.pl@gmail.com
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Poland
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Comments:
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Your site is very nice!
moto pl autogiełda
pl samochody gratka
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Monday 01/11/2010
11:23:41am
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Name:
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Paul Lincoln
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Homepage:
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http://web.mac.com/paul.lincoln
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E-Mail:
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Paul.lincoln@rcn.com
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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New York
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Comments:
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What a great site. Steve
is a great person. He helped me track down a fantastic Mercer song
that is not in print. Thanks so much
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Thursday 01/07/2010
2:57:28am
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Name:
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Marla Green
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Montgomery Alabama
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Comments:
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I'm 42. Johnny Mercer is
all over the soundtrack of my childhood. For so many years I never
knew all these seemingly unrelated songs I love from this or that
movie or musical, a favorite Christmas song, Sinatra.... were all
from him. His songs are like comfort food. I can't get over how one
man could be so off the scales talented.
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Tuesday 01/05/2010
10:32:39pm
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Name:
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Steve
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Homepage:
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http://kyserbookinfo@yahoo.com
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E-Mail:
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yessdanc@sbcglobal.net
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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USA
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Comments:
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There's a very rare
Johnny song sheet currently on ebay. DONT
THINK IT AINT BEEN CHARMING. It was cut from the 1940 film YOU'LL
FIND OUT w/ Karloff, Lugosi and Lorre. A Kay Kyser
movie, several sogsheets were released by
mistake.
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Monday 01/04/2010
11:33:45am
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Name:
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Ken Miller
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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kjmiller37@comcast.net
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Pittsburgh/USA
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Comments:
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I'm 74 years old now,
and Johnny Mercer has been my favorite songwriter and poet since I
was about 14.
My dad loved him and my son loves him--and plays his songs on
guitar, piano,etc.
And he sings the lyrics too.
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Monday 01/04/2010
1:22:10am
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Name:
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DeWitt Mercer
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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dmercer-astro@comcast.net
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Comments:
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Sunday 01/03/2010
5:14:25pm
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Name:
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Linda Kenley
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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kenlin950@aol.com
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Rockford Il
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Comments:
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Saw the CBS Sunday
Morning bit about Johnny Mercer today 1-3-2010
Really enjoyed the Savannah GA. touch.
Have been to Savannah a couple of times. No prettier place!Is there a
B&B on Moon River or very nearby? I think Andy should open one!
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Sunday 01/03/2010
10:28:58am
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Name:
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Phillip Lawry
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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lawrypb@aol.com
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Brooklyn, New York/USA
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Comments:
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Sunday 01/03/2010
10:15:10am
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Name:
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Stephen Cook
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Homepage:
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E-Mail:
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au1652@bellsouth.net
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Referred By:
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Just Surfed In
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City/Country:
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Forest Park, Ga. USA
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Comments:
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Thank goodness you
didn't become the actor you left Savannah to become! Had you
succeeded in that endeavor perhaps we would have never been aware
of your musical genius. I fear the world would not have had this
rich musical landscape we now gaze upon happily with our ears.
Thank you, sir. Happy 100th birthday.
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Sunday 01/03/2010
10:14:21am
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Name:
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Charles M. DeLettre
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Homepage:
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http://CharlesM.DeLettre@Facebook.com
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E-Mail:
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molchadel1@att.net
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Referred By:
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Search Engine
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City/Country:
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Jacksonville, FL.
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Comments:
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I have just discovered
this site and other interesting links thankfully after
seeing the CBS "Sunday Morning" special tribute segment
on this morning, Jan. 3,2010.
My father was in Savannah during the
beginnings of Mr. Mercer's popularity and fame. My father's family
moved from Waycross to move there. His father
was with Atlantic Coast Line RR, a conductor on the "Silver
Meteor".
We all grew up with Mercer's music and
I was little when I remember some of his
first 40's hits, as I was born in 1941.
I am extremely interested in Music especially in our region, and my
city of
Jacksonville, such as Johnny's friend Miss Connie Haines who moved
here from
Savannah. I am developing the Center of Music Heritage at
Jacksonville, and
want to connect with Mr. Mercer's site
and your fine way of preserving His Legacy of Music and many
contributions.
Respectfully,
Charles M. De Lettre
Jacksonville, FL. 32216
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