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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