Jackson County Native Gains
National Renown as Singer, Songwriter
The late Frank Crumit was a national and world renowned singer
and songwriter. A native of Jackson, Ohio, he was born September
26, 1889, the son of Frank and Mary Poore Crumit. Attending
local schools, Crumit graduated from high school in 1907.
After attending
a military academy in Indiana briefly, he entered Ohio University
and later Ohio State. His primary purpose for entering Ohio
University was his desire to follow in the footsteps of his
grandfather, Dr. C. K. Crumit, who had been a medical doctor.
His desire for
the medical profession soon fizzled, and still undecided about
a career in life, he went to Ohio State with the intent of becoming
an electrical engineer. This field was also short-lived.
Crumit's love
for music and the theater, which dated back to his early years
in the Methodist Church choir, led him toward the decision of
pursuing a musical career. He studied voice in Cincinnati and
then tried out unsuccessfully for opera in New York City.
Frank then turned
to vaudeville and was very successful in New York and other
parts of the country. As part of a vaudeville team (trio), Crumit
appeared at an engagement in London, England in 1913. And in
1914, he left the vaudeville life and struck out on his own.
With his famous
ukulele, he was referred to as "the one-man glee club"
in New York City's night spots. He became such a hit that he
landed roles in many musicals.
Frank Crumit became
a musical team with Julia Sanderson in 1921. Together, they
became a sensation to their stage and radio audiences. Frank
and Julia were married in 1927, and made their home in Springfield,
Massachusetts.
In 1929, Frank
and Julia were entertaining millions of fans via the means of
radio. They became known as "The Singing Sweethearts."
Maintaining their home in Massachusetts, Frank and Julia drove
to New York City twice a week for many years to do their radio
show. It was a four-hour trip, but they enjoyed it. Their nationally-produced
radio broadcast was aired over WLW in Cincinnati.
Frank is credited
with composing at least 50 songs in his career, maybe more.
In regard to Ohioans, Frank is best remembered for his Buckeye
Battle Cry, which he wrote in 1919. He wrote and published his
beloved Hills of Ohio in 1941.
Frank Crumit died
in 1943 in New York City at 53 years of age.
***
Courtesy
of historian Jack Rhea
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