Melton, James, 1904-1961

Variant names

Hide Profile

James Melton, 1904-1961, was a professional vocalist, a popular tenor whose career in radio, television, concert, opera, and motion pictures extended from the late 1920s through the 1950s. He began in radio with NBC in "Roxy's Gang" in 1927. He toured Europe with the Reveler's Quartet and in 1934 toured 28 cities with George Gershwin. His operatic debute was in 1938 as Pinkerton in "Madam Butterfly". In the 1940s he was a leading tenor on network shows such as "Texaco Star Theater", "The Telephone Hour", and the "Harvest of Stars".Though he sang leading roles at the Metropolitan Opera, 1942-1950, he was best known for his performances on weekly radio shows like the "Ford Festival TIme", 1951-1952, NBC primetime, singing with the Dave Brockman Orchestra among others. His repertoire-a mixture of popular songs, arias, ballads, and folk songs-was said to consist of more than 2,200 selections. He collected many of the original orchestrations for his songs.

From the description of James Melton papers, 1920-1960. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 71688243

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn The Bell Telephone Hour collection of sound recordings [sound recording], 1940-1968 The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
referencedIn De Luca, Gaetano. Scrapbooks, 1907-1936. Tennessee State Library & Archives, TSLA
creatorOf Rodgers, Richard, 1902-1979. Collection of musicals and interviews [sound recording], 1926-1980. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Richard Rodgers collection of musicals and interviews [sound recording], 1926-1980 The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
referencedIn ARS Audiotape Collection, 1900-1991 Archive of Recorded Sound
referencedIn John Eldon Thayer collection of motion picture memorabilia, 1916-1979. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Anderson, Marian, 1897-1993. The Bell Telephone Hour collection of sound recordings [sound recording], 1940-1968. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Melton, James, 1904-1961. James Melton papers, 1920-1960. Univerisity of Wyoming. American Heritage Center.
referencedIn Irving Berlin collection of non-commercial sound recordings [sound recording] The New York Public Library. Rodgers and Hammerstein Archives of Recorded Sound.
creatorOf Greenway, Lauder. Opera and recital collection [sound recording], 1901-1972. New York Public Library System, NYPL
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Berlin, Irving, 1888-1989 person
associatedWith Brockman, Dave. person
associatedWith De Luca, Gaetano. person
associatedWith Greenway, Lauder. person
associatedWith Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith National Broadcasting Company, inc. corporateBody
associatedWith Rodgers, Richard, 1902-1979. person
associatedWith Thayer, John Eldon, 1899-1980 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Radio programs
Television musicals
Tenors (Singers)
Occupation
Performer
Vocalists
Activity

Person

Birth 1904-01-02

Death 1961-04-21

Americans

Information

Permalink: http://n2t.net/ark:/99166/w6cr63xf

Ark ID: w6cr63xf

SNAC ID: 35749912