Character studies-- George P. Watson(1871-1926)

It's George P. Watson, the yodeler. He's a pretty obscure one in the line of the earliest recording artists, as he wasn't a very widely recorded singer. He was also a little late in the business, by that I mean that he came along in 1897, which is much later than some of his other friends who had been singing for the Columbia Graphophone since 1889 and 1890. Watson must have been a fascinating and comical character, as just by the look he gave in the 42 artists picture, seen here:

His expression was certainly one of the more interesting ones that came from this large photograph. The thing that really surprised me when I first saw that picture of him at the top of this post, is that he was so handsome! My father even attested to this! That was surprising, my friend who owns the Berliner catalog showed me the page with Watson on it, and I was blown away! I thought he was some creepy-faced eccentric(as beforehand I had only see him in the 42 artists picture). Not that he wasn't a creepy eccentric, he was just as weird as all the people he worked with at Columbia in 1898 and 1899. 

Watson was a short man, at maybe about 5 foot three or four, he certainly wouldn't be as tall as many of the others who worked at Columbia. He was handsome though, with a face that many on the staff could certainly be envious of, and his blond, wildly-styled hair was also just as captivating. His seemingly ecstatic cracked vocal style echoed through the long tall rooms of Columbia's studio, when, if the door was left open, he could be heard all the way down the halls. Even in the cold of dead winter at the studio, Watson's voice was still heard crystal clear, even if his breath could be seen when he set cracks in his voice. His odd choices of songs reflected his odd musings in the studio, with a drink of harsh liquor of some kind always at his aid to entertain his mouth betwixt the takes. Not many in the studio knew of what he did outside of his time there, but it was a sure thing that he went out and drank after many a recording day, his personal matters were disclosed for an unknown reason, or reasons. He looked like a drinker, more so than George Graham, as Watson had shown shadowy and slightly aged eyes by 1897 and 1898, where he would only have been 26 and 27 years of age. Occasionally, his dear Marguerite would come in an sit to hear him sing, how she wasn't the prettiest thing to look at, but somehow she was married to him. Between the takes, she would holler out to him anything she thought about the prior take or anything else, startling redheaded Freddy at the piano, who was just trying to get himself set up for the upcoming takes. Regardless of his looks and relative fame, he was still a mysterious man, of which is still he is still very much so to this day. 

I didn't realise until evening that Watson was married to Edison recording artist Marguerite Newton, who just so happens to be in the 42 Edison artists picture as well(durr...). I do not know anything about her, but she looks like Ada Jones a little bit. It can be assumed that the reason not much is known on her is because of George, as to this date, he is still a very weird and mysterious character of the early recording business. He must have really been an eccentric, as being only great at yodeling is a very odd thing in itself, even in his time. He must not have really wanted to say anything about his personal life, or no one bothered to ask, though it seems more likely that he skipped out on telling anyone. They just thought he was great at what he did, so they probably didn't bother to ask any of those personal questions. The only person I would think who would probably know about Watson very well would be Fred Hylands, as he was always there behind Watson, hearing all his troubles and worries. Hylands probably got his ears filled with sob stories and  cries for help from all the rather theatrical people he accompanied, and Watson was certainly one of these artists. 

Hylands can be heard behind Watson on both of these cylinders:

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder6707

http://cylinders.library.ucsb.edu/search.php?queryType=@attr+1=1020&num=1&start=1&query=cylinder5331

If Hylands had lived longer, he probably would have spoken of Watson if any questions related to him were asked. Anyone he worked with for that matter. It would be wonderful if we knew more about Watson, because now, after doing this post, I have new theories going through my mind about Watson. Since little was said about him even back in the late-1890's, not much more will be known about Watson, and his very seemingly-odd marriage to Marguerite Newton. 

I hope you enjoyed this! Happy dia de los muertos!