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Charles Hunter

Charles H. Hunter (May 16, 1876 – January 23, 1906) was an American composer of ragtime music.

Charles Hunter was born in Columbia, Tennessee, and at birth was almost totally blind. He was the son of Jordan M. Hunter and Fannie F. Hackney. His father was a musician in the 6th Cav. CSA. He attended the School for the Blind in Nashville, Tennessee, where he learned the piano tuner's trade. He went to work at the Jesse French Piano Company in Nashville. Absorbing the folk strains of Nashville, he published his first rag, "Tickled to Death," in 1899, which became a hit. This was followed in 1900 by "A Tennessee Tantilizer," and in 1901 by "Possum and Taters," "Cotton Bolls," and "Queen of Love."

In 1902 he transferred to Jesse French's St. Louis store. "Just Ask Me" was published that year, and "Why We Smile" the next.

Hunter's health and career deteriorated as he partook of the St. Louis night life, and it wasn't until late in 1905 that he published his final rag, "Back to Life," so named to celebrate his return to health. It was a short-lived recovery; he died of tuberculosis not long afterwards. According to his funeral notice in the Columbia Herald, he left a young wife. He died on January 23, 1906, just six weeks after his marriage.

Birth and Death Data: Born May 16, 1876 (Columbia), Died January 23, 1906 (St. Louis)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1910

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Columbia 19172 10-in. 12/27/1910 Tickled to death Prince's Band Band composer  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Hunter, Charles," accessed April 25, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109441.

Hunter, Charles. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved April 25, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109441.

"Hunter, Charles." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 25 April 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/109441

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