James Melton
James Melton(January 2, 1904 – April 21, 1961), a popular singer in the 1920s and early 1930s, later began a career as an operatic singer whentenorvoices went out of style in popular music around 1932–35. His singing talent was similar to that of his contemporaryRichard Crooksand baritonesJohn Charles ThomasandNelson Eddy,who sang popular music but also had operatic careers.
James Melton | |
|---|---|
 James Melton in a 1940s studio portrait | |
| Born | January 2, 1904 Moultrie, Georgia |
| Died | April 21, 1961 (aged 57) New York City |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, actor |
Melton usually catered to popular music fans, singing romantic songs and popular ballads in a sweet style. He was born inMoultrie, Georgia,but was raised inCitra, Florida,where his parents grew melons and handled hogs. Melton's father ran a sawmill in the time of history when sawmills were temporary tent buildings built near available lumber trees.
In 1920, he graduated from high school inOcala, Florida,and then attended college at theUniversity of Florida,Vanderbilt University,and theUniversity of Georgia.[1]He received vocal instruction from Gaetano de Luca inNashvillefrom 1923 to 1927 before moving to New York, where he studied withBeniamino Gigli's teacher, Enrico Rosati. Melton also worked in dance bands, playing saxophone in a college jazz ensemble and performing withFrancis Craig's Orchestra inAtlantain 1926.
Radio
The following year, he began singing on New York radio for no pay. He joined "Roxy's Gang", a cabaret group led bySamuel Roxy Rothafel,who worked with the Sieberling Singers. He made records forVictor Records,singing as one of the tenors withThe Revelersand forColumbia Recordswith the same group under the pseudonym of The Singing Sophomores. He frequently sang with popular singer Jane Froman and appeared with her in film as well.
Melton recorded his first songs under his own name for Columbia in the autumn of 1927. He quickly became popular and made many vocal recordings also singing vocal choruses for dance records. By 1931, the Great Depression along with the rise of conservatism and a religious revival initiated a movement to more masculine sounding voices in popular music. Singers such asFranklyn Baur,Nick LucasandScrappy Lambertsaw their careers diminish, while baritones such asBing CrosbyandRuss Columbobecame popular. Tenor voices became viewed as outdated in popular music. Melton was forced to change paths and decided to try to continue his career with classical music. He began to train his voice with help from the pianistMichael RaucheiseninBerlinand gave his first concert performance atTown Hallon April 22, 1932, in New York and embarked on an American andCanadianconcert tour along with songwriterGeorge Gershwinin 1934.
Melton continued to perform on the radio. He was heard onThe Firestone Hourin 1933, onWard's Family Theaterin 1935,The Sealtest Sunday Night Party(1936),ThePalmolive Beauty Box Theater(1937),The Song Shop(1938), theBell Telephone Hour(1940),Texaco Star Theater(1944) andHarvest of Stars(1945). In 1941, a newspaper columnist described Melton as "currently one of radio's busiest singers."[2]
In the thirties, Melton also sang and acted on the Jack Benny radio shows.
Films
Although he was not known as a dramatic actor, he appeared in movie musicals, includingStars Over Broadway(1935),[3]Sing Me a Love Song(1936),Melody for Two(1937) and theMGMrevue,Ziegfeld Follies(1946).
An avid racing and automobile fan, Melton was in attendance for theWatkins GlenGrand Prix of 1951 in upstate New York. He is seen shaking hands with the racers in the 1999 documentary film about a classic race called Victory Circle
Opera
After voice training with Angelo Canarutto, Melton's operatic singing career took off in 1938 when he appeared with theCincinnati Zoo Opera Companyas Pinkerton inPuccini'sMadama Butterflyand also with theSt. Louis Opera Companyas Alfredo inVerdi'sLa Traviata.In 1939, he sang Pinkerton for his debut with thePhiladelphia La Scala Opera CompanywithAnnunciata Garrottoas Cio-cio-san. He worked with theChicago Civic Operafrom 1940 to 1942, appearing withHelen JepsoninMadama Butterfly,withLily PonsinDonizetti'sLucia di Lammermoor,withRisë StevensinMignonand inFlotow'sMartha.On 7 December 1942, Melton debuted at theMetropolitan Operaas Tamino inMozart'sThe Magic Flute.He continued to perform at the Met through 1950.
Melton spent the 1950s making records, singing in nightclubs, appearing on television, includingFord Festival(1951–1952) also known asThe James Melton Show,and collecting rare automobiles. His last stage production wasSigmund Romberg'sThe Student Prince.
Later life
In 1948, he established the Melton Museum inNorwalk, Connecticut,to showcase his growing collection of over 125antique cars.[4]In April 1953, the collection was moved toHypoluxo, Florida,and renamed the James Melton Autorama, with greatly expanded and developed displays.Ken Purdyinterviewed him on his collection and wrote a book about it. The museum's collection was dispersed after his death. Melton has two stars on theHollywood Walk of Fame,one is for radio and the other for recordings of his. Melton died at the age of 57 inNew York Cityin 1961.
References
- ^"About Melton".Archived fromthe originalon 2007-09-27.Retrieved2009-04-15.
- ^Thompson, Edgar A. (August 1, 1941)."Riding the Airwaves".The Milwaukee Journal. p. 2. Archived fromthe originalon 10 April 2016.Retrieved7 April2015.
- ^""Stars Over Broadway" Coming to the Olympic ".Altoona Tribune.Pennsylvania, Altoona. Altoona Tribune. January 10, 1936. p. 10.RetrievedMarch 19,2016– viaNewspapers.com.
- ^Dennis May> (7 July 1950). "Xanadu on Wheels".The Autocar.London: Iliffe & sons Ltd: 757–759.
