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Ted Weems

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Ted Weems
Ted Weems publicity photo
Ted Weems publicity photo
Background information
Birth nameWilfred Theodore Wemyes
Also known asTed Weems
Born(1901-09-26)September 26, 1901
Pitcairn, Pennsylvania,U.S.
OriginPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania,U.S.
DiedMay 6, 1963(1963-05-06)(aged 61)
Tulsa, Oklahoma,U.S.
GenresJazz,big band
Occupation(s)Bandleader
Instrument(s)Violin,trombone
Years active1923–1953
LabelsRCA Victor,Bluebird,Mercury

Wilfred Theodore Wemyes(September 26, 1901 – May 6, 1963), known professionally asTed Weems,was an Americanbandleaderand musician. Weems's work in music was recognized with a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.[1]

Biography

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Born inPitcairn, Pennsylvania,Weems learned to play the violin and trombone. Young Ted's start in music came when he entered a contest, hoping to win a pony. He won a violin instead and his parents arranged for music lessons.[2]He was a graduate of Lincoln School in Pittsburgh. While still in school at Lincoln, Weems organized a band there, initially providing some instruments himself. His teacher offered young Ted and his band a penny each if they would play when the alarm sounded for fire drills. Weems kept the monies of the band and in turn charged each band member a penny for membership. He used the money to purchase better instruments than those the band started out with. When the family moved to Philadelphia, young Weems entered West Philadelphia High School. He joined the school's band and became its director.[3]

He attended theUniversity of Pennsylvania,where he and his brother Art organized a small dance band that became the "All American Band". The brothers sought the most talented college musicians for the group. The All American Band soon started receiving offers to perform in well-known hotels throughout the United States. Weems, who had originally intended to become a civil engineer, found himself being attracted to a musical career. His band had a contract to play four weeks at a Philadelphia restaurant; the owner was able to keep Weems and his band there for four months by making Ted a partner in his business.[4]They were one of the bands that played at the inaugural ball of PresidentWarren G Hardingin March, 1921.[3]Going professional in 1923, Weems toured for the MCA Corporation and began recording for theVictor Talking Machine Company.[5]"Somebody Stole My Gal"became the band's first #1 hit in early 1924. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded agold discby theRIAA.[6]

Weems recorded forVictor/RCA Victorfrom 1923 through 1933,[7]although the final three sessions were released on RCA Victor's newly createdBluebird Recordslabel. He then signed withColumbiafor two sessions in 1934 and subsequently signed withDeccafrom 1936. Weems also co-wrote several popular songs: "The Martins and the McCoys", "Jig Time", "The One-Man Band", "Three Shif'less Skonks", and "Oh, Monah!", which he co-wrote with band member "Country" Washburn.[8][9]

Ted Weems and his Orchestra on theFibber McGee and MollyNBC Radio show, 1937.

Weems moved toChicagowith his band around 1928.[5]The Ted Weems Orchestra had more chart success in 1929 with thenovelty song"Piccolo Pete", which rewarded him with his second gold record,[10]and the number one hit "The Man from the South". The band gained popularity in the 1930s, making regularradiobroadcasts. These includedJack Benny'sCanada Dryprogram onCBSandNBCduring the early 1930s, and theFibber McGee & Mollyprogram in the late 1930s.[8][11]

In 1936, the Ted Weems Orchestra gave young singerPerry Comohis first national exposure; Como recorded with the band forDecca Records,beginning his long and successful career. Among Weems's other discoveries were whistler-singerElmo Tanner,sax player and singerRed Ingle,Marilyn Maxwell,who left the band for an acting career; and arrangerJoe Haymes,who created the band's unique jazz-novelty style. Weems also signed 14-year-old ventriloquistPaul Winchellto a contract, after seeing him with one of theMajor Bowestouring companies.[12]The first season of theBeat the Bandradio show (1940–1941) included Weems and his orchestra as part of the cast.[13][14][15]

In 1940, Weems and his orchestra were featured onBeat the Bandon the NBC-Red radio network.[16]

In November 1942, Ted Weems and his entire band enlisted in theUnited States Merchant Marine,directing the Merchant Marine Band.[17][18]Reorganizing his big band in 1945,[19]he made records forMercury,including the hits "Peg O' My Heart" and "Mickey". However, the biggest hit of Weems's career was areissueon his former Decca label: the Weems Orchestra's 1938 recording of "Heartaches"topped the national charts for 13 weeks.[5][20]

Ted Weems (right) withWilliam P. Gottlieb,WINX Studio, Washington, D.C., ca. 1940.

For his August 4, 1933 session, Weems recorded six tunes, including "Heartaches". Since RCA Victor wanted the recording made quickly, Weems and his band had time for only one rehearsal session prior to this. Weems did not like the song at first, and decided to have Elmo Tanner whistle rather than use a vocalist. While rehearsing, someone came up with the idea of trying the song at a faster tempo than it was written for. The fast-tempo recording attracted very little attention after its release.

In 1938 Weems recorded a new "rhumba fox trot" version of "Heartaches" for Decca Records. This version again featured Elmo Tanner's whistling, and the tune was played briskly but not at the breakneck tempo of the 1933 version. In 1947, an overnight disc jockey named Kurt Webster, at station WBT inCharlotte, North Carolina,found the 1938 version in a box of old records he had recently received. He played it on the air and the radio station's phones never stopped ringing; the callers wanted to hear the song again. The calls continued, now joined by record stores wanting to know how to order copies of the record. Other radio markets began playing the song, prompting Decca to press new copies.[21]Since the Weems orchestra had also recorded "Heartaches" for Victor, that company decided to re-release its own version of the song. Both labels shared credit on the charts. "Heartaches" topped the Hit Parade on April 19, 1947; nine years after it was recorded. In a 1960 interview, band member Elmo Tanner related that he and Weems received nothing for the reissue as both men had let their contracts expire while they were in the Merchant Marine.[22][23]

The new-found popularity of the 1938 "Heartaches" came at a time when Weems was struggling to re-form his band; many former members had other music-related jobs, others were no longer interested in performing. Two of his band members were killed in World War II. Weems was then able to recruit new band members and was again being asked to play at the same venues as before the war.[24]Ted Weems made front-page news in 1947 when he publicly repaid his debt to disc jockey Kurt Webster, who had revived "Heartaches" and thus Weems's career. Weems staged a benefit performance by his band on June 6, with all proceeds going to war veteran Webster.[25]Decca cashed in on Weems's new popularity by reissuing another oldie, "I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now" with vocals by Perry Como, which became another major chart hit.

Despite this sudden surge of popularity for Weems, the hits dried up after 1947. Weems continued touring until 1953. At that time, he accepted adisc jockeyposition inMemphis, Tennessee,[5]later moving on to a management position with theHoliday Innhotel chain. Perry Como played host to his old boss, Elmo Tanner, and three other Weems band members on hisPerry Como's Kraft Music Hallshow of October 18, 1961.[22][26]

Ted Weems died ofemphysemainTulsa, Oklahoma,in 1963.[27]He had been operating a talent agency inDallaswith his son which also served as his band's headquarters.[28]Weems was in Tulsa with his band for an engagement the day he was taken ill.[5][29]His son Ted Jr. led a revival band sporadically during the 1960s and 1970s.

References

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  1. ^"Ted Weems-Hollywood Star Walk".LA Times.Retrieved11 January2011.
  2. ^Knight, Ben (24 July 1953)."Well, It Takes Only One To Hit It, They Say, Weems Did".Daily Times.Retrieved31 December2010.
  3. ^ab"Ted Weems Got Music Start Here".The Pittsburgh Press. 27 September 1931.Retrieved20 November2010.
  4. ^"Ted Weems Got 5 Cents Week on first Music Job".Youngstown Vindicator. 9 December 1940.Retrieved24 January2011.
  5. ^abcdeWalker, Leo, ed. (1989).The Big Band Almanac.Da Capo Press. p. 480.ISBN0-306-80345-3.Retrieved12 December2010.
  6. ^Murrells, Joseph (1978).The Book of Golden Discs(2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.14.ISBN0-214-20512-6.
  7. ^"Ted Weems And His Band At Aldine".The Pittsburgh Press. 11 July 1925.Retrieved20 November2010.
  8. ^ab"Ted Weems and his Orchestra".RedHot Jazz.com.Retrieved27 October2010.
  9. ^"Ted Weems".Oldies.com.Retrieved15 April2011.
  10. ^Murrells, Joseph (1978).The Book of Golden Discs(2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p.18.ISBN0-214-20512-6.
  11. ^Cochran, Marie (26 March 1937)."Mr. Weems' Mr. Gibbs Comes Home, Tells All".The Toledo News-Bee.Retrieved24 January2011.
  12. ^Lawson, Tim; Persons, Alisa, eds. (2004).The magic behind the voices:a who's who of cartoon actors.University Press of Mississippi. p. 367.ISBN1-57806-696-4.Retrieved25 November2010.
  13. ^Dunning, John (1998).On the Air: The Encyclopedia of Old-Time Radio(Revised ed.). Oxford University Press, USA. p. 75.ISBN0-19-507678-8.Retrieved10 June2010.
  14. ^Herzog, Buck (15 October 1962). "Along Amusement Row". The Milwaukee Journal.
  15. ^"Stars of 'Beat The Band' Will Be Heard In Person".Youngstown Vindicator. 10 December 1940.Retrieved13 April2011.
  16. ^"Program Reviews: 'Beat the Band'"(PDF).Billboard.February 10, 1940. p. 7.Retrieved21 April2017.
  17. ^"Ted Weems, Seven Of Band Sworn In".The Palm Beach Post. 30 November 1942. p. 6.Retrieved31 October2010.(subscription required)
  18. ^"Weems And Band To Join Sea Unit". The Miami News. 19 November 1942.
  19. ^"Ted Weems Opens At Green's Friday".Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 20 June 1945.Retrieved31 October2010.
  20. ^Bruning, Bill (20 March 1962)."Elmo Tanner full of 'Heartaches'".The Evening Independent.Retrieved24 January2011.
  21. ^SwingMagazine, WHB Broadcasting Co., Kansas City, MO; April 1947, p. 85.
  22. ^ab"Elmo Tanner To Appear With Como".St. Petersburg Times. 13 October 1961.Retrieved31 October2010.
  23. ^Bartlett, George (14 February 1960)."'Heartaches' Made Him Famous Coast-To-Coast ".St. Petersburg Times.Retrieved31 October2010.
  24. ^Helgesen, Ray (22 June 1947). "Miracle Mystery of" Heartaches "".The Milwaukee Sentinel.
  25. ^Variety,"Weems Knows Value of 'Heartaches', a Disc," May 28, 1947, p. 1.
  26. ^"Kraft Music Hall".Classic TV Archive. 18 October 1961. Archived fromthe originalon December 24, 2010.Retrieved31 October2010.
  27. ^"Bandleader Ted Weems Dies at Age 62".Eugene Register-Guard. 7 May 1963.Retrieved12 June2010.
  28. ^"Whatever Happened To..."Daytona Beach Morning Journal. 21 October 1958.Retrieved24 January2011.
  29. ^Recer, Paul (7 May 1963)."Bandleader Ted Weems Dies Of Lung Ailment".The Sumter Daily Item.Retrieved31 October2010.
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