(Graham in c. 1896)
Mr. Graham is someone that I have a special interest in for many reasons, not just because his records were blatantly funny, but by how he simply vanished from all recording and performing in 1904. Since Graham wasn't one of Jim Walsh's many characters of interest, he is still very unknown to-day, even to the most curious and knowledgeable record collectors. It's the most odd thing, he was recording in bunches from 1896 to 1903, and was rather popular in the late-1890's on Berliners, but was forgotten completely by 1904. No one knows what happened to him after he ended recording, it had been assumed by some that he died in 1903, either suddenly in '03 that forced him to end recording, or he died in the next year, and just refused to come in later in 1903.
It's hard to know, as there is almost nothing known on him, and it's near impossible to find anything more than we already have on him. The item on interest that also comes to question when thinking of Graham is, was that his real name? What could his name really be if it was changed? There isn't really any indication of that happening ever, but one can wonder such a thing. It's odd, he was certainly a very handsome man, paired with a terrible drinking habit that made him sound somewhat gruff to the listeners of his records. His deadpan humor was genius, whether he knew it or not, which is why he was so entertaining to listen to. He must not have been the most expressive of the earliest recording stars, with a similar face whenever he spoke to the horns. That face must have been blank, with furrowed brows, and not much more. He would really only smile if someone behind the horns did something weird, or funny to him. When the boys had to get out the stand for him, they knew that the session was going to be a real adventure for them, by just trying their hardest to get him to stand straight. There must have been some takes where he spilled his drink, coughed, or dropped the papers from his hands.
One of the interesting things about Graham is that his voice was absolutely perfect for being a record announcer, but he didn't do that for some reason. His voice was blank, gruff, and got points across easy, those were the ruling traits of a great record announcer. That was also the best way to describe Edward Meeker's many thousands of announcements on Edison cylinders from 1902-1909. Graham's voice sounded like that of a terrible, and rough drinker. It is evident on not too many of his records, but on this one here from 1903, you can really hear not only his queer miscellaneous dialect, but also his throaty and slightly scratchy voice. It makes him sound older than he probably was, and more comical somehow. His age is unknown, and it's hard to tell, as some guesses have been made, but they are only guesses. They range from 1861 to 1875, and for all we know, he could have been as old as Edward M. Favor(born 1856). That's not exactly as likely as a date like 1865, as that would allow for some time for Graham to be a traveling medicine salesman in the 1880's, which in some ways would make sense. He was found in 1895 by Fred Gaisberg, at about age 30, that would sound about right. If Graham had died in 1903 or 04, that would have made him between age 45 and 49, which also sounds somewhat reasonable, by how terrible of a drinker he was. But then again, these are only logical guesses. Graham could have lived to the 1910's, but it's hard to know. Either way, the mystery that surrounds his character and his records is what really keeps record collectors so intrigued by him.
He is very fun to listen to an analyze anyhow, and any one of his records are valuable, as they are hard to come by, and he didn't really make very many.
*If anyone knows anything more about George Graham, please comment on this post!*
I hope you enjoyed this!
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