James Melton

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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 when tenor voices went out of style in popular music around 1932–35. His singing talent was similar to that of his contemporary Richard Crooks and baritones John Charles Thomas and Nelson Eddy, who sang popular music but also had operatic careers.

James Melton
James Melton in a 1940s studio portrait
Born1904-01-02
Moultrie, Georgia
Died1961-04-21
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 in Moultrie, Georgia, but was raised in Citra, 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 in Ocala, Florida, and then attended college at the University of Florida, Vanderbilt University, and the University of Georgia.[1] He received vocal instruction from Gaetano de Luca in Nashville from 1923 to 1927 before moving to New York, where he studied with Beniamino Gigli's teacher, Enrico Rosati. Melton also worked in dance bands, playing saxophone in a college jazz ensemble and performing with Francis Craig's Orchestra in Atlanta in 1926.

Radio

The following year, he began singing on New York radio for no pay. He joined "Roxy's Gang", a cabaret group led by

Victor Records, singing as one of the tenors with The Revelers and for Columbia Records
with 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 as

Town Hall on April 22, 1932, in New York and embarked on an American and Canadian concert tour along with songwriter George Gershwin
in 1934.

Melton continued to perform on the radio. He was heard on

Bell Telephone Hour (1940), Texaco Star Theater (1944) and Harvest 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, including

MGM revue, Ziegfeld Follies (1946
). An avid racing and automobile fan, Melton was in attendance for the Watkins Glen Grand 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

James Melton at the starting line of the 1951 Grand Prix Street Race at Watkins Glen NY

Opera

After voice training with Angelo Canarutto, Melton's operatic singing career took off in 1938 when he appeared with the

Mozart's The Magic Flute
. He continued to perform at the Met through 1950.

Melton spent the 1950s making records, singing in nightclubs, appearing on television, including Ford Festival (1951–1952) also known as The James Melton Show, and collecting rare automobiles. His last stage production was Sigmund Romberg's The Student Prince.

Later life

In 1948, he established the Melton Museum in

antique cars.[4] In April 1953, the collection was moved to Hypoluxo, Florida, and renamed the James Melton Autorama, with greatly expanded and developed displays. Ken Purdy interviewed him on his collection and wrote a book about it. The museum's collection was dispersed after his death. Melton has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, one is for radio and the other for recordings of his. Melton died at the age of 57 in New York City
in 1961.

References

  1. ^ "About Melton". Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  2. ^ Thompson, Edgar A. (August 1, 1941). "Riding the Airwaves". The Milwaukee Journal. p. 2. Archived from the original on 10 April 2016. Retrieved 7 April 2015.
  3. Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  4. ^ Dennis May> (7 July 1950). "Xanadu on Wheels". The Autocar. London: Iliffe & sons Ltd: 757–759.

External links

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