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 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. 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. 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. |
Birth and Death Data: Born January 2, 1904 (Moultrie), Died April 21, 1961
Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1950
Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor vocal
= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.
Recordings (Results 201-218 of 218 records)
Company | Matrix No. | Size | First Recording Date | Title | Primary Performer | Description | Role | Audio |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brunswick | XE36762 | 12-in. | 5/12/1931 | Seiberling Singers program EE, pt. 2 | Harold Levy Orchestra ; James Melton | Radio transcription disc : Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band; Jazz/dance band | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE36958 | 12-in. | 8/4/1931 | Seiberling Singers program FF, pt. 2 | Seiberling Singers and Orchestra | Radio transcription disc : Vocal and instrumental ensemble | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE36959 | 12-in. | 8/4/1931 | Seiberling Singers program GG, pt. 2 | Seiberling Singers and Orchestra | Radio transcription disc : Vocal and instrumental ensemble | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE36961 | 12-in. | 8/4/1931 | Seiberling Singers program II, pt. 2 | Seiberling Singers and Orchestra | Radio transcription disc : Vocal and instrumental ensemble | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE36973 | 12-in. | 8/7/1931 | Seiberling Singers program JJ, pt. 2 | James Melton ; Orchestra (unidentified; Brunswick Records) | Radio transcription disc : Male vocal solo, with orchestra ; Orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE36974 | 12-in. | 8/7/1931 | Seiberling Singers program LL, pt. 2 | James Melton ; Orchestra (unidentified; Brunswick Records) | Radio transcription disc : Male vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE37026 | 12-in. | 8/7/1931 | Seiberling Singers program MM, pt. 2 | James Melton ; Orchestra (unidentified; Brunswick Records) | Radio transcription disc : Male vocal solo, with orchestra ; Orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE37027 | 12-in. | 8/7/1931 | Seiberling Singers program NN, pt. 2 | James Melton ; Orchestra (unidentified; Brunswick Records) | Radio transcription disc : Male vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | XE37029 | 12-in. | 8/7/1931 | Seiberling Singers program OO, pt. 2 | James Melton ; Orchestra (unidentified; Brunswick Records) | Radio transcription disc : Male vocal solo, with orchestra ; Orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | B15441 | 10-in. | approximately 1935 | Your eyes have told me so | James Melton | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | B15442 | 10-in. | 11/2/1934 | A little love, a little kiss | James Melton | Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Brunswick | B16964 | 10-in. | 3/4/1935 | Then you'll remember me | James Melton | Male vocal solo, with orchestra | vocalist, tenor vocal | |
Decca | 61485 | 10-in. | 12/16/1936 | A little house that love built | James Melton | vocalist, tenor vocal | ||
Decca | 61486 | 10-in. | 12/16/1936 | Summer night | James Melton | vocalist, tenor vocal | ||
Decca | 61487 | 10-in. | 12/16/1936 | Your eyes have told me so | James Melton | vocalist, tenor vocal | ||
Decca | 61554 | 10-in. | 1/27/1937 | Love, here is my heart | James Melton | vocalist, tenor vocal | ||
Decca | 62137 | 10-in. | 4/20/1937 | September in the rain | James Melton | vocalist, tenor vocal | ||
Decca | 62138 | 10-in. | 4/20/1937 | Melody for two | James Melton | vocalist, tenor vocal |
Citation
Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Melton, James," accessed May 2, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105137.
Melton, James. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 2, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105137.
"Melton, James." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 2 May 2024.
DAHR Persistent Identifier
External Sources
Wikipedia: James Melton
Discogs: James Melton
Grove: James Melton
IMDb: James Melton
Linked Open Data Sources
LCNAR: Melton, James, 1904-1961 - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n85314073
Wikidata: James Melton - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q6139622
VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/61737029
MusicBrainz: James Melton - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/14d05160-24d5-4e37-b4a8-0ceddbdb18f7
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