Steve Porter

Steve Porter

Source: Discogs

Born in 1864 in New York City, baritone, Steve Porter, was both a vocalist and comedian, the latter notably as the character, Flanagan. Porter had begun his career in vaudeville in the eighties before becoming a member of the Diamond (Comedy) Four, others of which were Albert Campbell, Billy Jones and Jim Reynard. Porter began recording with such in 1897 for the Universal Phonograph Company in sessions unidentified. Two of those earliest tracks were 'Imitation Medley' and 'Cornfield Medley' The group turned to Berliner the same year, holding their initial session possibly as early as June. DAHR lists a certain date of Oct 7 for 'Sally in Our Alley' (#875) and 'Sweetest Story Ever Told' (#893). They apparently recorded for Columbia that year as well.

The Online Discographical Project (ODP) has Porter recording early solo issues w Berliner in 1897 as well, with a relatively certain date as early as July 29 for 'Mamie Reilly' (#918-Y). August 13 witnessed 'Where Is My Boy Tonight?' (#1758) and 'Yield Not to Temptation' (#1770). Porter was well on the way to making a name for himself before the calendar turned into the 20th century. 'A Picture No Artist Can Paint' was a title recorded before 1900 by George Gaskin (Columbia 4198), Porter (Columbia 4599) and Albert Campbell (Berliner 0762). Porter's version is thought to have topped the charts at #1 in 1899 before Campbell's version went down on 22 November.

'A Picture No Artist Can Paint'   Steve Porter

Columbia cylinder 4599   #1 Oct 1899

Composition: J. Fredric Helf

Music VF and TsorT begin their charts of best-selling titles per 1900, the year 'Billboard Magazine' became a weekly rather than monthly, its initial issue as a weekly on May 5, the same month Porter placed his first title of the 20th century on the charts at #1 per 'A Bird in a Gilded Cage' (Columbia 4608), that composed by Harry Von Tilzer with lyrics by Arthur J. Lamb. 'The Little Brown Jug' (Columbia 4617) followed in July at #3, that written by Joseph Eastburn Winner in 1868.

'An Armful of Kittens and a Cat'   Steve Porter

Victor Monarch 3468 recorded 12 June 1902 in Camden NJ

Porter released numerous comic monologues, also creating a pseudonym by way of a character called Flanagan who had Porter to thank for composing most of his troubles. Porter's collaboration with Len Spencer on 'Flanagan's Night Off' reached #6 in May 1906. Other Flanagan Top Ten issues were 'Flanagan's Troubles in a Restaurant' (Edison 9495 4/07) and 'Flanagan and His Motor Car' (Victor 16436 2/10).

'The Laughing Spectator'   Steve Porter

Victor 16519-B recorded 13 April 1908

'Police Court Scene'   Steve Porter

Edison Blue Amberol 37   Matrix A-00037-0   Issued Sep 1908

'Flanagan's New Year's Call'   Steve Porter

Indestructible 972 recorded Sep 1908    Issued Jan 1909

'Policeman O'Reilly on Duty'   Steve Porter

Edison Standard 10074 advertised on 3 Feb 1909 in the 'Kingston Daily Freeman'

'An Irish-Dutch Argument'   Steve Porter w Frank Kennedy

Indestructible 1040 issued April 1909

Composition: Probably Kennedy w Porter

Porter was also a member of the Columbia (Male) Quartet, which became the Peerless Quartet in 1906, initial issue in 1907. The Columbia or variations thereat had originally consisted in 1903 of Albert Campbell (first tenor), James Reynard (second tenor), Joe Belmont (baritone) and Joe Majors (bass). By later that year they were Porter (baritone), Campbell, Henry Burr (lead tenor) and Tom Daniels subbed by w Frank C. Stanley. As data gets murky w the Columbia, sources not uncommonly group it as the Peerless, including their chart-topping song, 'Sweet Adeline' (Columbia cylinder 32584), at #1 in Nov 1904. 'Sweet Adeline has been called the quintessential barbershop quartet song, the Haydn Quartet having also placed 'Sweet Adeline' (Victor disc 2934) at #1 the prior month.

The Columbia Quartet became the Peerless Quartet to the purpose of branching away from the Columbia label, the latter founded 1887 to produce cylinders, entering the flat disc industry in 1901 per the Climax label more than 10 years ahead of Edison Records. It was also 1901 when Berliner merged with Victor, meaning Edison Records would huff and puff its way to eventual demise in 1929. DAHR has the Peerless putting down 'Where Is My Wandering Boy To-Night' as early as an unknown date prior to Feb of 1907 for issue on Zonophone 673.

The Peerless recorded numerously for Zonophone before signing up with Victor in 1908. DAHR traces them with Victor to February of that year on 'Women!', 'Moonlight on the Lake' and 'The New Parson at Darktown Church'. 'Rah! Rah! Rah!' and ''Come Where My Love Lies Dreaming' saw session in April.

Porter didn't hang long with the Peerless, being replaced by Arthur Collins in 1909 just as the Peerless was beginning its long career as a super group. He signed up instead with Billy Murray's American Quartet, which joins the Haydn and the Peerless as one of what are probably the three major quartets of the early 20th century. Porter remained with the American until 1919. During his time w the group it consistently placed above forty titles in the Top Ten of the charts starting with 'He's a College Boy' at #4 in July 1910 to 'Breeze' in Nov 1919. Five of those had topped the chart at #1: 'Oh, You Beautiful Doll' (12/11), 'Moonlight Bay' (3/12), 'Everybody Two-Step' (11/12), 'Oh Johnny, Oh Johnny, Oh!' (6/17) and 'Good-Bye Broadway, Hello France' (9/17).

'Down on the Mississippi'   Steve Porter w Billy Murray's American Quartet

Other personnel: John Bieling / William Hooley

Victor 35143 recorded 27 Dec 1910

Composition: Porter

'Two Jolly Sailors'   Steve Porter w Byron Harlan

Edison Blue Amberol 1759   Matrix B-01759-0 recorded 4 Feb 1913

Music: Harry Israel

The Ragtime Dream'   Steve Porter w Billy Murray's American Quartet

Other personnel: William Hooley / Robert Armour

Victor 17535 recorded 13 Jan 1914 in Camden NJ   Matrix B-14230   #9 April 1914

Composition: Joe Goodwin / Lew Brown

'All Aboard for Dixieland'   Steve Porter w Billy Murray's American Quartet

Other personnel: William Hooley / Robert Armour

Victor 17535 recorded 13 Jan 1914 in Camden NJ   Matrix B-14310   #5 March 1914

Music: George L. Cobb   Lyrics: Jack Yellen

Founding the Port-O-Phone Corporation in 1919 to manufacture hearing aids, Porter left the American Quartet, though continued his vocal career for a while in the twenties. In addition to Berliner, Columbia and Victor, a Google search of 78discography (ODP sessionography) finds Porter issuing on Lakeside and Grey Gull as well. In addition to Edison and Columbia, a Google search of MusikTitelDB (sessionography) also finds Porter on Gennett and Grey Gull. Having witnessed two World Wars, Porter died on 13 Jan 1946.