ABSTRACT
An ensemble established ca. 1917, named at first “The Record Maker Troupe,” originally consisting of vocalists Billy Murray, Henry Burr, Albert Campbell, John Meyer, Arthur Collins, and Byron Harlan, supplemented by pianist Teddy Morse and banjo virtuoso Vess Ossman. The group toured and made records. Burr was manager in 1917, and made a number of personnel changes: Frank Croxton replaced Collins; pianist Frank E. Banta replaced Morse, banjo player Fred Van Eps replaced Ossman, and vocalist/comedian Monroe Silver replaced Harlan. Later, saxophonist Rudy Wiedoeft took the place of Van Eps, and xylophone player Sammy Hermann then replaced Wiedoeft. The group disbanded in 1928, after another change of name to “Eight Popular Victor Artists.” Their last record in the catalog was “Miniature Concert” (#35753; 1925). It was the first electric recording made by Victor.
