Friday Funnies

Don't Fence Me In is the title of a song that members of the Western Writers of America have named as one of the Top 100 Western songs. 

The song title came to mind became an ear worm when I saw this ↓ a few months ago.

Not only was the tree fenced in, but it was clearly posted No Entry.

Why anyone would want to enter this fenced area was a mystery. 

The sign on the fence has been enlarged. How would entry even be possible?

Signs can be endless sources of curiosity. This tree and its sign were on King Street, a walkable mile of centuries-old architecture, in Old Town Alexandria, VA.

Spoiler Alert: The next part of this post is a diversion as I wanted to find out more about the Don't Fence Me In song which has an interesting background—it was based on poem by an engineer, bought by Cole Porter, became a #1 hit, and led to the 1944 firing of a vocalist.

If I have piqued your curiosity, do continue . . .

Robert Fletcher-Cole Porter

What became Don't Fence Me In was written as a poem, Open Range, by Robert Fletcher, an engineer with the Department of Highways in Helena, MT, as a cowboy poem that decried the encroachment of city life. Fletcher was a popular western poet among enthusiasts of cowboy poetry during the early 20th Century (not a huge audience). His poem was published in a 1934 collection. 

Somehow, it came to Porter's attention and he paid Fletcher $250 (a hefty sum in depression years). Porter retained many of Fletcher's lyrics, but modified them as he replaced some lines, rearranged lyric phrases, and added two verses. While not a writer of cowboy songs, Porter had been commissioned to write one for a 1934 film musical, Adios, Argentina; it was never produced. While it later became one of the most popular songs of its time, Porter reportedly said it was his least favorite composition.

When the song was published, Porter wanted to co-credit Fletcher, but his publishers disagreed. The October 10, 1944 copyright publication notice in the U.S. Copyright Office credits words and music by Cole Porter. After the song became popular, Fletcher, who understood he had sold his financial rights, was disappointed about lack of credit. Here, sources differ, some claim he sued for royalties, others say he only wanted his name credited. After the Montana press made a fuss about Fletcher's lack of authorship credit, the national press became accusatory toward Porter. Although he was under no legal obligation, Porter, who was said to regret the lack of credit, arranged for Fletcher to receive a portion of the royalties.

Here's HOW it became a hit song . . .

Hollywood Canteen poster

In the 1940s, so-called “Canteen” films were popular. The story lines were: soldier(s) on leave or preparing to ship out find love, lose love, find it again, while stars of stage and screen perform for departing soldiers. In 1944, Warner Brothers was working on the film, Hollywood Canteen, and needed a song for Roy Rogers and The Sons of The Pioneers. Somehow, this forgotten Cole Porter tune was resurrected, much to the delight of filmgoers.

In 1944, Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters recorded it without having seen or heard the song. Crosby entered the studio in July and within 30 minutes, they completed the recording. It sold more than a million copies topping the Billboard pop charts for eight weeks in 1944-45. On the country & western side, Gene Autry had the hit, reaching #4 on that chart.

In the 1940s, competing record labels rushed recording stars into the studio to be first-to-market. Crosby wasn’t always first, but his records were always popular. This time, he beat the competition. The song' rise to popularity was tied to release of the film and it stayed at the top until mid-February 1945. Rogers, who introduced the song to the public in the film had been beat in singing it first. Kate Smith had introduced it on her popular radio program, two months earlier. The clip of Rogers singing the tune in Hollywood Canteen was reprised in the 1946 Cole Porter biopic film, Night and Day.

And, about that fired vocalist . . .

Frank Sinatra, Your Hit Parade

In January 1943, 27-year old Frank Sinatra launched his singing career as the star vocalist onthe CBS radio show, Your Hit Parade. (This American music program that was broadcast on radio from 1935 to 1953 and seen on TV from 1950 to 1959 sponsored by Lucky Strike cigarettes.) Sinatra appeared regularly to sing the most popular songs of the week. 

On December 23, 1944, he sang Don't Fence Me In but couldn't keep up with the lyrics and stumbled on some. After singing, I want to ride to the ridge where the West commences, he said too many words to explain his slip-up. Sinatra was fired from the show reportedly due to his on-air comment about the lyrics and for missing a cue for the #1 song. However, as his popularity zoomed, he was rehired a year later and co-starred with another popular vocalist, Doris Day.

When I was creating this Friday Funny post I wasn't certain where it would lead. Now, I know the rest of the story, and so do all of you.

Here's the recording claimed the #1 spot featuring Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters. 

Sorry about any ear worm that may result. I'm over mine now.

Enjoy Your Weekend, Everyone.

We're in Maine for Grenville's ham radio event & 🎂 celebration