Yes, Hylands was reasonably taller than the others he worked with. The only problem is that I don't really know whether or not Banta was very tall, though I would doubt that he was taller than 5 foot 7. These two worked in the same business, one of the same record companies, and played the same instrument
, they must have known each other. But what was their relationship like?
, they must have known each other. But what was their relationship like?
Hylands
Banta
They must have met not long after the news of the new pianist at Columbia spread to the crew at Edison. This news no doubt got to Edison's pianist, Frank Banta in 1897 and he must have become curious about this new pianist. The fact that he played "Rag Time" also must have caught the ears of Banta.
Not long after Columbia hired him, he was a hit with the large crowds of the exhibitions at the Broadway phonograph parlors. This is where Banta really must have done something to meet this "Freddy". So wherever he went to find him, he eventually did, but let's just say it was at an exhibition in the middle of the week. Here is a little historical fiction for you:
The short slim Banta enters the parlor, crowded with hundreds of people and gets the glimpse of a few faces he knows, like Len Spencer, Billy Golden, John Yorke Atlee, Russell Hunting, and Steve Porter. At an intermission, while the nice table of various foods and treats were being served, and when the artists disbanded, he looks around for that "Freddy Hylands" chap amid the crowd. He looks around for what seemed like forever until he finds a tall stout man talking with little Roger Harding. This tall man is well dressed, reasonably handsome for a heavy fellow, comically voiced, and with occasional flaunts of his reddish-blond hair argued with little Harding.
When he finally argued enough with Harding, he rolled his eyes and spotted scrawny Banta. "You!" he began, looking at Banta, "I recognize yer face from somewhere."
"I don't think I have ever made your acquaintance sir." stated Banta, nearing him.
He shook his long twigy hand firmly, "It's a pleasure, Ah'm Freddy Hylands, and who might you be?"
"Frank Banta, Frederick."
"Hmm, Ah've heard tell on your recently, yer eh, Edison's piano man right?"
"You be correct Frederick."
"It's great to meet you finally Frank. Make sure you stay here for our next go at the machines and the next group of people."
When the next round of people came in, and when the intermission had ceased, then came the rattling voice of Harry Spencer, introducing the next few rounds. Banta watched Fred wail away the the piano as the tunes kept coming, and how he was a sight to see. With his changing expressions and occasionally looking out to the crowd with a smile, he was a star, even if he was just the accompanist. He was who Banta was up against in the business.
Well, of course, I don't actually know how they met, but it must have been an interesting encounter as it was. They're relationship must have been kept reasonably hidden, as the record managers would not really approve of such as thing.
Not long after Columbia hired him, he was a hit with the large crowds of the exhibitions at the Broadway phonograph parlors. This is where Banta really must have done something to meet this "Freddy". So wherever he went to find him, he eventually did, but let's just say it was at an exhibition in the middle of the week. Here is a little historical fiction for you:
The short slim Banta enters the parlor, crowded with hundreds of people and gets the glimpse of a few faces he knows, like Len Spencer, Billy Golden, John Yorke Atlee, Russell Hunting, and Steve Porter. At an intermission, while the nice table of various foods and treats were being served, and when the artists disbanded, he looks around for that "Freddy Hylands" chap amid the crowd. He looks around for what seemed like forever until he finds a tall stout man talking with little Roger Harding. This tall man is well dressed, reasonably handsome for a heavy fellow, comically voiced, and with occasional flaunts of his reddish-blond hair argued with little Harding.
When he finally argued enough with Harding, he rolled his eyes and spotted scrawny Banta. "You!" he began, looking at Banta, "I recognize yer face from somewhere."
"I don't think I have ever made your acquaintance sir." stated Banta, nearing him.
He shook his long twigy hand firmly, "It's a pleasure, Ah'm Freddy Hylands, and who might you be?"
"Frank Banta, Frederick."
"Hmm, Ah've heard tell on your recently, yer eh, Edison's piano man right?"
"You be correct Frederick."
"It's great to meet you finally Frank. Make sure you stay here for our next go at the machines and the next group of people."
When the next round of people came in, and when the intermission had ceased, then came the rattling voice of Harry Spencer, introducing the next few rounds. Banta watched Fred wail away the the piano as the tunes kept coming, and how he was a sight to see. With his changing expressions and occasionally looking out to the crowd with a smile, he was a star, even if he was just the accompanist. He was who Banta was up against in the business.
Well, of course, I don't actually know how they met, but it must have been an interesting encounter as it was. They're relationship must have been kept reasonably hidden, as the record managers would not really approve of such as thing.
I hope you enjoyed this!
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