James Melton

James Melton (January 2, 1904 – April 21, 1961), a popular singer in the 1920s and early 1930s, later began a career as an operatic singer when tenor voices went out of style in popular music around 1932–35. His singing talent was similar to that of his contemporary Richard Crooks and baritones John Charles Thomas and Nelson Eddy who sang popular music but also had operatic careers.

Melton usually catered to popular music fans, singing romantic songs and popular ballads in a sweet style. He was born in Moultrie, Georgia, but was raised in Citra, Florida, where his parents grew melons and handled hogs. Melton's father ran a sawmill in the time of history when sawmills were temporary tent buildings built near available lumber trees.

In 1920, he graduated from high school in Ocala, Florida, and then attended college at the University of Florida, Vanderbilt University and the University of Georgia. He received vocal instruction from Gaetano de Luca in Nashville from 1923 to 1927 before moving to New York where he studied with Beniamino Gigli's teacher, Enrico Rosati. Melton also worked in dance bands, playing saxophone in a college jazz ensemble and performing with Francis Craig's Orchestra in Atlanta in 1926.

Birth and Death Data: Born January 2, 1904 (Moultrie), Died April 21, 1961

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1925 - 1950

Roles Represented in DAHR: tenor vocal

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 1-25 of 218 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-25563 10-in. 5/26/1926 Can't yo' heah me callin' Caroline Reinald Werrenrath Baritone vocal solo, with male vocal trio and orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-27952 10-in. 5/26/1926 When you were sweet sixteen Reinald Werrenrath Baritone vocal solo, with male vocal ensemble and orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-40597 10-in. 11/18/1927 Nola The Revelers Male vocal quartet, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41093 10-in. 12/2/1927 The song is ended (But the melody lingers on) Victor Salon Group Orchestra, with male vocal quartet vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41106 10-in. 11/23/1927 Among my souvenirs The Revelers Male vocal quartet, with instrumental ensemble vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41133 10-in. 12/1/1927 We'll have a new home (In the mornin') Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal chorus vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41178 10-in. 12/15/1927 Tin pan parade The Troubadours Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41179 10-in. 12/15/1927 Oh Lucindy The Revelers Male vocal quartet, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41197 10-in. 12/22/1927 The whip Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal quartet vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41289 10-in. 12/30/1927 Graham-Paige Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal quartet vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41539 10-in. 1/11/1928 Ol' Man River The Revelers Male vocal quartet, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41570 10-in. 1/23/1928 Bungalow of dreams Crescent Trio Male vocal trio, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-41571 10-in. 1/23/1928 Sweet Elaine Shannon Quartet Male vocal chorus, with orchestra vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CVE-41991 12-in. 5/17/1928 Blue Danube waltz Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal quartet vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CVE-41992 12-in. 5/17/1928 Wedding dance International Concert Orchestra ; Nathaniel Shilkret Orchestra, with male vocal trio vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-42509 10-in. 2/16/1928 Jesus Christ is risen today Trinity Choir Chorus, with pipe organ vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-42510 10-in. 2/16/1928 God so loved the world Trinity Choir Chorus, with pipe organ vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-42511 10-in. 2/16/1928 Hosanna Trinity Choir Chorus, with pipe organ vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-42512 10-in. 2/16/1928 All hail the power of Jesus' name Trinity Choir Chorus, with pipe organ vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CVE-43334 12-in. 3/8/1928 Tarantella medley Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal trio vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CVE-43365 12-in. 3/15/1928 Mask and Wig medley Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal chorus vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CVE-43533 12-in. 4/5/1928 Selections from 'Good news' Arden-Ohman Orchestra ; Victor Arden ; Phil Ohman Piano duet, with orchestra and male vocal chorus and soloist vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor CVE-43534 12-in. 4/5/1928 Selections from 'Funny face' Arden-Ohman Orchestra ; Victor Arden ; Phil Ohman Piano duet, with orchestra and male vocal chorus and soloist vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-43672 10-in. 4/26/1928 Good night Nathaniel Shilkret ; Victor Orchestra Orchestra, with male vocal chorus vocalist, tenor vocal  
Victor BVE-43949 10-in. 5/4/1928 Canzone amorosa The Revelers Male vocal quaratet, with piano vocalist, tenor vocal  
(Results 1-25 of 218 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Melton, James," accessed March 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105137.

Melton, James. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105137.

"Melton, James." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/105137

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