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Just found an old Victor Record c.1910 with the title TURKEY SPECIALTY (Introducing "Turkey in de Straw") by Golden and Hughes. 1910?? I thought Turkey in de Straw was much older, like a pre-Civil War folk song, maybe even a lot older than that.

Live and learn...

I think it does Cliff....or at least versions of it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkey_in_the_Straw

"Introducing" in this context means playing a musical number in the middle of something else.

This tune was one of Billy Golden's specialties !



I'm not sure how far back the title "Turkey in the Straw" goes, but this melody is also known as "Zip Coon" in both 19th century sheet music and early talking machine records.

Billy Golden also recorded "Turkey in De Straw" on Berliner in 1896. I think I have two or three versions in the mold library.

Billy Golden recorded this MANY times. He recorded this, and other of his "hits" on most labels and many different times. This was "re-recorded" as record sizes changed to fill longer recording times, some 7 inch (and other smaller size) sides were dubbed to larger disc sizes as time went by, and also likely re-recorded as masters and stampers wore out (as this was immensely popular). This was a side (in many different forms) in print from about 1895 up into the 1920`s.

estott wrote:"Introducing" in this context means playing a musical number in the middle of something else.

This. Also, in vaudeville, a snippet of a tune or an entire other tune was often used to "introduce", or set up, for the main number of a sketch.

Thanks everyone for the info. I love it when I can get smarter!

I discovered I also have the 1908 Victor Record version of Turkey In De Straw by Billy Golden.

Cliff

Cliff,

I have that 1908 Victor "Patents Label" record too... came with my 1909 L-door.

It is one of my favorite early records, for its exuberance, if no other reason...

Frank

TITS was a commonly played old Appalachian fiddle style tune. That's how you can still hear it today, usually played on the fiddle.