1. Art Gillham was an American songwriter who was among the first crooners, a pioneer radio artist, and a recording artist for Columbia Records.
11 Facts About Art Gillham
1. 2.
In 1923 Art Gillham was dared to sing over the radio, and the response encouraged him to continue.
3.
Art Gillham sang in a soft crooning voice, and in February, 1924, while appearing on WSB in Atlanta, he was dubbed "The Whispering Pianist" by the station's general manager, Lambdin Kay.
4.
In 1930 he had two CBS programs: "Breakfast With Art Gillham" and "Syncopated Pessimism".
5.
From 1937 through 1954 Art Gillham appeared on radio in Atlanta, Georgia.
6.
In October 1924, Gillham signed a contract with Columbia Records as an exclusive artist.
7.
When Columbia obtained rights to record using the new Western Electric recording system, Art Gillham was asked by Columbia to assist with the electric recording because of his use of microphones on radio.
8.
Victor set him up as a direct competitor by calling him the "Whispering Baritone" or Whispering Jack Smith and alleged Art Gillham was imitating Jack Smith.
9.
Art Gillham's recording of "My Swanee River Home" was released only in Australia.
10.
Art Gillham's first recording for Columbia in 1924 was "How Do You Do".
11.
Art Gillham's last recording for Columbia in 1931 was "Just A Minute More to Say Goodbye".