[78-L] Ray Hetherton

[Michael Biel]

The discussion began with my questioning a public comment by his son
Dick Hetherton that Ray sang in a trio with Paul Whiteman composed of
him, Bing Crosby, and Frank Sinatra -- jokingly wondering what ever
became of the other two.  Hetherton was with Whiteman early enough for
Bing still being there, and perhaps Ray Hetherton substituted for Harry
Barris or Al Rinker if they were absent.  He also might have
participated in the Rhythm Boys after Bing left, and perhaps even after
Barris and Rinker also left.  The name Rhythm Boys continued with new
line-ups.  Is there any recording or notation of these possibilities
happening?  We DO know that Sinatra could not have been involved -- he
was too young and never worked for Whiteman.  But when did Hetherton
leave Whiteman?  Anybody know.

And by the way, I remember The Merry Mailman very well from my childhood
TV watching, and he made 78s in that role.  I also remember his daughter
Joey!!  In fact, when Dick Henderson was introduced to us when he
arrived at the Friends of Old Time Radio convention, one of the guys
sitting near me said "I've been in love with your sister for years!" and
Dick quickly replied "You never answer her phone calls!"  He must have
used that line scores of times.  


Mike Biel  mbiel at mbiel.com    


-------- Original Message --------

From: "J. E. Knox" <rojoknox at metroeast.org>
Greetings from FixitLand!

Dan Van Landingham wrote:

> I wasn't aware of that recording.I am more familiar with Crosby by 
> way of the Victors Bix Beiderbecke recorded between 1927 and '28.
> And then there were the Columbias from 1929.
> What year did Whiteman return to Victor?

1931. (Chicago, 30 Sept. and 1 Oct.; mxs 67591/6)

Whiteman (with Bix) started recording for Columbia in May 1928.

> I have a Victor of Whiteman doing a song called "I Don't Suppose" 
> with a vocal by his trombonist Jack Fulton.

Victor 22882, 3 Dec 1931, mx 70644- .

> I bought it back in 1978 along with that Columbia
> I have of Crosby on "I Kiss Your Hand,Madame".

Columbia 1851-D, 24 May 1929, mx W148619-2.

> That's the only Columbia I have of Crosby on that label.I'm familar 
> with all the records he did for OKeh with Trumbauer and Bix as well as his 
> solo work for Brunswick.I had a very battered Brunswick of him doing 
> Charmichael's "Star Dust".

Brunswick 6169, 19 Aug 1931, mx E37087- .

(Sheesh...look at me spewing disco-data like I'm a computer or 
somethin'...)  All good stuff.

The discussion is veering away from Ray Heatherton, a fellow I'm not 
all that familiar with...  Take care, Joe