Written by Paul Dresser, recorded by Macdonough for Edison Records, c. 1902
Musical artist
John Scantlebury Macdonald (May 30, 1871 – September 26, 1931) was a Canadian-born singer and recording executive. Under the pseudonymHarry Macdonough, he was one of the most prolific and popular tenors during the formative years of the recording industry. His most popular recordings included “Shine On, Harvest Moon” (with Elise Stevenson), “Down By The Old Mill Stream”, “They Didn’t Believe Me” (with Olive Kline), “Tell Me, Pretty Maiden” (with Grace Spencer), and “Where The River Shannon Flows”.
One of Macdonald's lesser-known performances is for performing "Tessie", then billed as "Tessie (You Are the Only Only Only)" from the Broadway musical The Silver Slipper in 1903, becoming a rallying cry for the Boston Red Sox until 1918 and starting again in 2004 during the World Series.[5][6][7]
During the 1900s, Macdonald took a job with the Victor Talking Machine Company, becoming assistant manager and later manager of its New York City studio.[8] As studio manager he oversaw the studio schedule, as well as negotiating contracts with artists and music publishers.[9] In October 1913, he recorded a duet with the American singer Marguerite Dunlap of "When It's Apple Blossom Time in Normandy".[10] Macdonald rose rapidly at Victor, becoming its national sales manager in 1920 and manager of artists and repertoire in 1923.[9] He moved to Columbia Records in 1925 and oversaw the technical development of its studios until his death.[11]
^Marguerite Dunlap; Harry Macdonough; Mellor; Gifford; Trevor (1913-10-27), When It's Apple Blossom Time in Normandy, Internet Archive, Victor, retrieved 2021-10-17
