Frederick J. Bacon

Summary

Frederick J. Bacon (1871-1948) was a late 19th to mid 20th century performer and recording artist on the five string banjo. He was also an inventor and entrepreneur, educator,[10] composer,[2] and designer and manufacturer of banjos.[11] At the height of his performance career he played the banjo nationally. Along with Fred Van Eps and Vess Ossman he was part of a group of banjoists labeled "virtuoso" in the newspapers.[12][11] He founded the F.J Bacon Co., possibly as early as 1902, after having invented a new resonator for open-back banjos.[13][10] It wasn't until 1908 that Bacon came up with Bacon Mfg. & Publishing Co. to sell his banjos and music compositions.[citation needed] During the Big Five tour Bacon became Bacon Mfg. Co in 1911 from Forestdale and incorporated Bacon Mfg. Co. in 1912 (dissolved in 1915).[citation needed] In 1918 from New London he called himself Bacon Banjo Mfg. Co. around 1918, and formally the Bacon Banjo Co. Inc in 1920 with E.O Winship and wives.[citation needed] In 1922 his company gained business experience in David L. Day, formerly of Vega. Together they produced Bacon and Day banjos (B.&D. on the headstock), some of which have been considered worthy of display in museums, as showpieces of artistic impulse from the Jazz Age. Frederick and his wife Cassie were proponents of the classic banjo style of playing banjo, in which the strings are plucked with the fingers, without picks.[14]

Frederick James Bacon
Frederick J. Bacon with his banjo, at the annual concert of the American Guild of Banjoists, Mandolinists and Guitarists, at Witherspoon Hall, Philadelphia, May 27, 1918. He performed with Samuel Siegel and William Foden.
Background information
Also known as
Born(1871-01-17)January 17, 1871[1]
Holyoke, Massachusetts[1]
DiedNovember 18, 1948(1948-11-18) (aged 77)
Brattleboro, Vermont[1]
GenresMedicine Show,[1] Vaudeville,[1] classical music,[2] American folk music, Ragtime
Occupation(s)Musician, educator, musical-instrument manufacturer
Instrument(s)five-string banjo, snare drum
Years active1887–1948
Labels
Resting placeRockville, Connecticut[1]
Spouses
  • Cassie Maria Bacon[3]
  • Frances Isabelle Westphal[1]

Musicianship edit

Across his career, Fred J. Bacon played a variety of musical styles on the five-string banjo and snare drum. His performances included his own compositions such as The Fascinator and The Conqueror march, classical compositions such as Minuette a l'Antique by Paderewski, and arrangements of folk music or minstrel songs, including Massa's in the Cold, Cold Ground.[15][16] Known mainly as a banjo player, he also continued to bring his drum on stage throughout his career, doing drum solos, and in 1936 advertised as a teacher of banjo, guitar, drums and violin.[17]

Growing up in Connecticut, he took banjo lessons from Alfred A. Farland when he was 12-years old.[11] Bacon began public performance at 16, in medicine shows, variety shows, and Wild West shows, playing the snare drum and swinging his banjo.[18][1][19][20] His earliest acts included roles with "Hornsby's Oats" (a stage show in Boston) and with Broncho John's Wild West Show as "Nebraska Fred."[1] A performance poster in Boston labeled him the "Banjo Kid."[1]

Bacon began performing on his own, under his really name and teaching the banjo. He married Cassie Maria Bacon in 1890, and the two would travel the country and eventually perform together.[1][3] By 1911, Bacon had learned to play in a duo style, "playing two distinct airs at the same time."[21][22]

In 1918 Bacon was advertised for a concert representing the banjo before the American Guild of Banjoists, Mandolinists and Guitarists, alongside musicians such as concert Mandolinists Samuel Siegel (mandolin) and William Foden (guitar). The trio performed together in concerts between 1904 and 1918.

Besides his banjo, Bacon also continued to play his snare drum in concert as late as 1933. He played two solos, Battle Scene and Coming and Going of the Empire Express.[23]

Bacon Banjo Company edit

Bacon's performances became an opportunity to sell banjos as he gained name recognition across the country. By 1907 he was having banjos made for him by Vega to sell as his own.[24][25] They were sold as far way as Los Angeles and New Jersey.[26]

While living in Hartford he started the "F. J. Bacon and Company" in 1902, with A. E. Squires and G. S. Masleu, selling musical instrument strings.[27] Bacon banjo strings and Bacon violin strings, were sold in music stores in 1903.[28] At the time, he also endorsed Fairbanks banjos in the music store advertisements.[28] In the Cadenza magazine, 1910, he is picture holding a Fairbanks Whyte Laydie.[11]

Bacon experimented with musical instrument making. While visiting Brandon, Vermont in 1901 he sold his "patent neverslip banjo bridge" to W. H. Johnson of that town.[29] Johnson had been making the bridges for the "Bacon Banjo Bridge Company" and invented machinery to automatically make them.[29] That same year, he took out a patent on a tailpiece that allowed musicians to restring their instruments faster.[30] In 1905, while still living in Hartford, Bacon applied for a patent for a new type of resonator for open-backed banjos.[13] He was awarded the patent in June 1906, after he sold his Hartford house in April.[10][13][31]

Builders finished working on their house and barn in Forest Dale (part of Brandon), Vermont in 1907.[32] He moved into the home with his wife by 1907, calling it Stonehurst.[33][34]

In 1908 they bought a second, large place as an investment, that they intended to turn into a hotel. They began touring together as an act about 1910, having two Vermont homes for summer and winter.

Bacon advertised his banjos in the July 1909 issue of Cadenza magazine, as the "Bacon Mfg. and Pub. Co" of Forestdale, Vermont.

Although Bacon was contracting with Vega to make his early banjos, photos in a magazine article show that Bacon had a luthiery set up in Forest Dale, ca. 1910.[11] Bacon may have been selling his banjos from there, also about 1910.[11] By 1913, "the F. J. Bacon Banjo company" or "Bacon Manufacturing Company" was hiring and had a printed catalog of banjos.[35][36] By 1914, Frederick and Cassie Bacon had sold the Forestdale building used for their banjo factory and moved to New London, Connecticut, across the river from their company's future location.[11][37] They incorporated their company in 1915 as the "Bacon Banjo Company" of Groton, Connecticut.[11]

The demands for the five-string banjo declined in the 1920s, replaced by the tenor banjo. Bacon brought in David L. Day as vice president of the company, and the banjos that were made under Day reached the top of the market. The high-end banjos that the Bacon Banjo Company made during the Jazz Age were highly decorated with gold plating, engraving ebony, ivory. They were made to sparkle in the hands of entertainers on stage. Their top end model cost $1000, when a worker's yearly wager might be $300.

Compositions edit

Arrangements and variations edit

Published works edit

Folios edit

  • 1906, Siegel-Myers Correspondence School of Music ... Chicago. Banjo Lesson No. 1(-4). Composed and edited by F. J. Bacon. Chicago : Siegel-Myers Correspondence School of Music, 1906.[100]
  • 1910, Compositions and Arrangements for Banjo with Piano accompaniment, by F. J. Bacon. Chicago: Siegel-Myers School of Music, (1910).[40]
includes: Arcadia (polka brilliante); La Serenata (serenade); Little Sunbeam (waltz); Pavilion (schottische); Pit Pat (schottische); Sweethearts (romanza); The Dragon Fly (dance characteristic); the Enchantress (valse brilliante); The Round Up (galop di concert); The Trumpeter (march).
Alternatively called 10 Original Compositions for Banjo and Piano[101]
  • c. 1928, Bacon melody folio : 5 choice solos[79][102]
contains Hopi Indian Snake Dance, Chinese Serenade, Dancing Moonbeams, Mia Rita (Mexican Serenade), The Dawn of Love (Waltz).

Methods edit

  • 1911, New and revised method for the banjo, Bacon-Goggin Publishing Company, Schenectady, N.Y.[103] This book teaches the banjo in A notation.
  • 1915, Lesson (A) in Tremolo[104]
  • 1915, Tremolo Lesson Number 2[105]
  • 1921 Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation, William J. Smith Music Company, New York[106]
  • 1924 The Improved paramount Method for the Banjo : in C notation, finger style, William J. Smith Music Company, New York[107]

Recordings edit

Victor edit

  • 1912, March 22 The enchantress, Victor, B-11780, F. J. Bacon, Banjo solo, unaccompanied[108]
  • 1912, March 22 Massa's in de cold, cold ground, Victor, B-11782, F. J. Bacon, Banjo solo, unaccompanied[109]
  • 1912, March 22 Old folks at home, Victor, B-11783, F. J. Bacon, Banjo solo, unaccompanied[110]
  • 1912, April 15 The troopers march, Victor, B-11877, F. J. Bacon, banjo solo, accompanied by Fred Bachman (piano)[111]
  • 1912 April 15 West lawn polka, Victor, Victor 17129, Matrix/Take: B-11781/4, Fred J. Bacon, banjo solo, accompanied by Fred Bachman[112][51]

Edison edit

  • 1915, December 11 Massa's in de cold, cold ground, Edison Blue Amberol: 2853 / Edison Record: 4330, Fred J. Bacon, banjo solo, unaccompanied[113]
  • 1916, February 5, Old Black Joe, Edison matrix 4475, Edison 50351, Fred J. Bacon, banjo solo, unaccompanied[114]
  • 1917 Medley of Scotch airs, Edison Blue Amberol: 3109 / Edison Record: 5110, Fred J. Bacon, banjo solo, unaccompanied[115][116]
  • 1917Medley of southern airs, Edison Blue Amberol: 3122 /Edison Record: 5109, Fred J. Bacon, banjo solo, unaccompanied.[117] Includes My old Kentucky home, Dixie, Old folks at home.[118]

Bacon Banjo Company edit

  • 1926 Massa's in the cold, cold ground, Bacon Banjo Company, promotional record, Fred J. Bacon, banjo solo, unaccompanied[119]

Gallery edit

Classic banjos edit

Jazz Age banjos edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "FREDERICK BACON OF NEWFANE DIES Banjo Player Formerly in Vaudeville and Medicine Shows". The Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, Vermont. November 19, 1948. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Irishman invents banjo". The Chat. Brooklyn, New York. September 4, 1926. p. 76. Retrieved March 19, 2020. ...some of the selections this banjo will radiate include a variant of my own built around Stephen Foster's 'Old Black Joe.' Then to show that the five-string banjo will translate classic music I will play Beethoven's Minuet In G. I will also program one of my own compositions, 'The Silver Bell March.'
  3. ^ a b "MRS. CASSIE BACON OF NEWFANE DIES Wife of Widely-Known Ban joist and Music Instructor, Frederick J. Bacon Private Funeral". The Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, Vermont. November 23, 1936. p. 1. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
  4. ^ "Unity Hall". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. October 5, 1897. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  5. ^ "Notes". Hartford Courant. February 14, 1906. Retrieved March 22, 2020. Those who will take part will the Bacon Banjo Trio, Frederick J. Bacon, Arthur P. Squires, and Harry Larkum
  6. ^ "Renowned Banjo Trio". St Johnsbury Republican. St Johnsbury, Vermont. February 7, 1906. p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2020. The Renowned Banjo Trio. A concert is advertised for Thursday evening, February 15, at Pythian hall by the Bacon banjo trio of Boston, Frederick J. Bacon, Miss Ruth Page and Miss Leola O'Keefe. This is undoubtedly the most successful artistic combination of its kind in the country. They will be assisted on this occasion by Mrs. B. E. Doyle of St. Johnsbury, reader, and the entertainment program promises one of the best.
  7. ^ "Mr. Bacon's Concert". Hartford Courant. Hartford Connecticut. November 23, 1899. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  8. ^ "McKinley Club". Hartford Courant. Hartford Connecticut. November 9, 1901. Retrieved March 22, 2020. The concert part will be furnished by the Bacon Banjo Quintet, which Is composed of Frederick J. Bacon, director: A. E. Squires, A. C. Burn-ham. C. E. Peck and K. M. Northrop.
  9. ^ "Mandolin, Guitar and Banjo Concert". The Standard Union. Brooklyn. January 30, 1904. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "Fred J. Bacon, Champion Banjoist". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. 13 September 1905. p. 5. Retrieved 18 March 2020. Fred J. Bacon, the well-known banjo player and instructor, has re-established himself in the city, having opened a studio at Room 36 in the Hartford Life Insurance building. Mr. Bacon has recently invented a new banjo, which is said to be a decided improvement over other banjos, having sounding chamber which sustains the tone, mellows it slightly, and yet adds to its brilliancy. Mr. Bacon will again direct the quintette which won the national prize at the Boston banjo Jubilee two years ago. Pupils may arrange for lessons at his studio. Mr. Bacon makes a specialty of training young men who wish to make college or high school clubs, and of training such clubs.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h Heller, Paul (December 2010). "Fred Bacon and the Early Days of the Bacon Banjo Company" (PDF). Old-Time Herald. Vol. 12, no. 8. Durham, North Carolina: The Old Time Music Group, Inc. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 March 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  12. ^ "Banjo Concert Tonight". The Allentown Leader. Allentown, Pennsylvania. December 8, 1905. p. 1. Retrieved March 22, 2020. Mr. Bacon is without doubt the finest banjo virtuoso who has ever appeared in this city...
  13. ^ a b c US patent 823985, F. J. Bacon, "F. J. Bacon. Banjo.", issued June 19, 1906 
  14. ^ a b c "F. J. Bacon". Crescendo. Boston: Crescendo Publishing Company. December 1910. p. 9. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  15. ^ a b c "Music and Musicians". Washington Herald. Washington D.C. November 12, 1911. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  16. ^ "Leicester". The Brandon Union. Brandon, Vermont. July 15, 1898. p. 5. Retrieved March 20, 2020. The surprise of the evening was the banjo playing of Frederick J. Bacon of Hartford Conn. Such breadth of expression and sweet music, as flowed from under his delicate touch, as the beautiful strains of Chopin's "Nocturne No. 2" filled the hall, has seldom been heard in Boston. His second number was the allegro movement from the overture to "William Tell," which was played with great brilliancy of execution. In response to a generous encore Mr. Bacon played "My Old Kentucky Home" with variations, holding his audience spellbound. He is indeed a master of the banjo. Boston Herald, May 8, 1898.
  17. ^ "ATTENTION MUSIC LOVERS! THE BACON SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND ART". The Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, Vermont. September 25, 1934. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  18. ^ "Fred Bacon". classic-banjo.ning.com. Retrieved March 20, 2020. by the age of 16 was working across America as a professional banjo performer...In 1908 he began teaching from a studio in Forestdale, Vermont from where he established 'The Bacon Manufacturing and Publishing Company'
  19. ^ "Howard's Continuous Variety". Boston Post. Boston, Massachusetts. April 8, 1895. Retrieved March 20, 2020. Fred J. Bacon, Drum and Banjo Solos
  20. ^ "Palace Theater". The Boston Globe. October 7, 1894. Retrieved March 20, 2020. Fred J. Bacon does solos on the drum and swings a banjo
  21. ^ "Two at the Same Time". Gettysburg Times. Gettysburg Pennsylvania. October 28, 1911. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2020. To hear Fred Bacon, play two separate and distinct airs on the banjo at the same time, is a wonderful effort and a rare treat.
  22. ^ "Formal Opening Night". The Enosburg Standard. Enosburg, Vermont. December 4, 1914. p. 1. Retrieved March 20, 2020. An added feature on the opening night will be the appearance of Fred Bacon, America's foremost banjo soloist, assisted by Cassie Bacon, who will present to the music loving public a pleasing and unique program. "Mr. Bacon does the difficult stunt of playing two distinct airs at the same time in addition to making his banjo talk so that his audience can follow lines as closely as though it was a human voice."
  23. ^ a b c d e The Brattleboro Reformer, Brattleboro, Vermont, 31 Jul 1933, Page 6
  24. ^ Bacon Professional FF #3 - 1908 (Plaque beneath museum exhibit). Oklahoma City, OK: American Banjo Museum. The Vega Company, Boston, MA...Marketed by famous classic five-string banjoist Frederick J. Bacon
  25. ^ Bacon Professional FF #2 Special "Chubby Dragon" - 1907 (Plaque beneath museum exhibit). Oklahoma City, OK: American Banjo Museum. The Vega Company, Boston, MA...Marketed by famous banjoist Frederick J. Bacon
  26. ^ "Banjos— Frederick J. Bacon". Los Angeles Evening Express. Los Angeles. March 26, 1914. p. 4. Retrieved March 22, 2020. BANJOS—Fred J Bacon professional models. $40 style now $27.50, $50 style now $37.50, $85 style now $50, $100 style now $60. Other styles including the S. S. Stewart and Orpheum models at the same reduction. Banjo cases strings and all-accessories at practically cost price.
  27. ^ "Hartford, Connecticut, City Directory, 1902". ancestry.com. [Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Retrieved March 21, 2020. Bacon, F. J. Co. musical strings, 53 Tru. F. J. Bacon A. E. Squires G.S. Masleu
    Bacon Frederick J. (F. J. B. & Co.) b. 223 Asy.
  28. ^ a b "John M. Gallup & Co., Music Dealers". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. February 18, 1903. Retrieved March 20, 2020. John M. Gallup & Co., MUSIC DEALERS, 201 Asylum St., Hartford. $12.00 WILL BUY AN EXCELLENT BANJO INCLUDING SIX LESSONS BY Mr. FRED J. BACON, The finest Banjo Teacher in this country. On Exhibition in our corner window. We are sole agents for the Famous FAIRBANKS BANJOS (endorsed by MR. BACON). Also BACON BANJO and VIOLIN STRINGS.
  29. ^ a b "Locsl Intelligence". The Brandon Union. Nrandon, Vermont. February 15, 1901. Retrieved March 21, 2020. Frederick J. Bacon, of banjo fame, was in town this week and negotiated the sale of his patent neverslip banjo bridge to W. H. Johnson. Mr. Johnson has been making the bridges for the Bacon Banjo Bridge Co., for some time and has recently built a machine for manufacturing the bridges. The machine is a very ingenious piece of mechanism in which you place a piece of maple wood and the machine does the rest. The bridges are turned out very rapidly and a superior finished article. The patent is sustained by a device which prevents the bridge from slipping on the banjo head.
  30. ^ US patent 686881, Frederick J. Bacon, "F. J. Bacon. Tailpiece.", issued November 19, 1901 
  31. ^ "Personal". Hartford Courant. Hartford, Connecticut. April 28, 1906. Retrieved March 23, 2020. Frederick J. Bacon has sold to Robert G. Henry through, Lester L. Potter the property No. 145 Warrenton avenue.
  32. ^ "Brandon". Burlington Daily News. Burlington, Vermont. September 3, 1909. Retrieved March 23, 2020. The civil case of George H Churchill vs Frederick J. Racon and Cassie Bacon is being heard today at the office of E. J. Ormsbee. Mr. Churchill is trying to recover balance due him on a house and barn which he buiit for Mr. Bacon in 1907. Mr. Racon is defending the suit on the ground of unskilled workmanship and mistakes in following plans and specifications. The case is being heard before Referee Judge Charles H. Darling of Burlington.
  33. ^ "Stonehurst". The Brandon Uniom. Brandon, Vermont. September 20, 1907. Retrieved March 23, 2020. STONEHURST. That's the name of the cottage that Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Bacon have been building this summer in Forestdale and which is now practically finished.
  34. ^ "Forestdale". The Brandon Union. November 22, 1907. Retrieved March 23, 2020. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick J. Bacon are home for a two weeks' stay. They open Dec. 2d at Lowell on the Keith circuit. Miss Goldie Benjamin, a niece of Mr. Bacon, and Mr. William Perry of Providence, R. I., are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Bacon at "Stonehurst.
  35. ^ "Forestdale". Rutland Daily Herald. Rutland, Vermont. April 7, 1913. p. 8. Retrieved 19 March 2019. Edmund Bushaw has entered to employ of the F. J. Bacon Banjo company as bookkeeper.
  36. ^ The Bacon Professional Banjo (PDF). Forest Dale Vermont: The Bacon Manufacturing Company. 1913.
  37. ^ "Forestdale". Rutland Daily Herald. Rutland, Vermont. November 26, 1914. p. 8. Retrieved 28 March 2020. W. B. Avery has purchased of F. W. Bacon the building formerly used for the Bacon banjo factory, and moved it to his place for a garage.
  38. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Public domain music scores at classic-banjo.ning.com
  39. ^ a b c d Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, 23 Nov 1901, Page 18
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Compositions and Arrangements for Banjo with Piano accompaniment, by F. J. Bacon. [No. 1.] Arcadia. Polka brilliante. [sic] ... [No. 2.] La Serenata. Serenade ... [No. 3.] Little Sunbeam. Waltz ... [No. 4.] Pavilion. Schottische ... [No. 5.] Pit Pat. Schottische ... [No. 6.] Sweethearts. Romanza ... [No. 7.] The Dragon Fly. Dance Characteristic ... [No. 8.] the Enchantress. Valse brilliante ... [No. 9.] The Round Up. Galop di Concert ... [No. 10.] The Trumpeter. March, etc.quote=".
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, 28 Apr 1911, Page 3
  42. ^ Bacon, Fredrick J. (February 1910). "Twilight Reverie". Crescendo. Vol. 2, no. 8. Boston: Crescendo Publishing Company. pp. 14–15. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  43. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. pp. 37–38.
  44. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. pp. 48–49.
  45. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. pp. 46–47.
  46. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. pp. 58–59.
  47. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. p. 44.
  48. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. p. 57.
  49. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. p. 45.
  50. ^ "Medley of Southern airs, My old Kentucky home / Dixie / Old folks at home". www.loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  51. ^ a b "Victor matrix B-11781. West lawn polka / F. J. Bacon". library.ucsb.edu. Discography of American Historical Recordings, UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  52. ^ Catalogue of Copyright Entries: Musical Compositions. Part 3. Washington D. C.: Government Printing Officer. 1915. p. 7043.
  53. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 56.
  54. ^ a b Catalogue of Copyright Entries: Musical Compositions. Part 3. Washington D. C.: Government Printing Officer. 1915. p. 5010.
  55. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 45.
  56. ^ Clear the Way, Lyrics by Henry Erskine Smith, music by Frederick J. Bacon and E. O. Winship. Published by H. E. Smith (Henry Erskine), New York City
  57. ^ https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/sheetmusic/1134/ Nourmaleen: A Desert Love Song, Lyrics by Henry Erskine Smith, music by Frederick J. Bacon, New York: H. E. Smith (1918)
  58. ^ Peace: The New Dawn, Lyrics by Henry Erskine Smith, music by Frederick J. Bacon, New York: H. E. Smith Pub Co. (1918)
  59. ^ In spoonland : it's heaven all the time. OCLC 855703868. Retrieved March 31, 2020 – via worldcat.org.
  60. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 51.
  61. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 57.
  62. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 38.
  63. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 27.
  64. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 23.
  65. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 49.
  66. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. pp. 28–29.
  67. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 34.
  68. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 20.
  69. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 30.
  70. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. pp. 62–63.
  71. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 35.
  72. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 48.
  73. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 54.
  74. ^ a b c d e f Spaulding, Cliff (June 1971). "A Breeze from the West, My Memories of Fred Bacon". BMG. London: Clifford Essex Music Company Limited. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  75. ^ "Free Recital by Noted Banjoist". The Evening Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. August 29, 1922. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  76. ^ "Program of Concerts and Recitals". Crescendo. Vol. 18, no. 9. Boston. March 1926. p. 27. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  77. ^ "Ghost dance. F. J Bacon Rochester, N.Y.: Don Santos, c1927". The British Museum. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  78. ^ "The spirit dance : (Indian lament). F. J Bacon Rochester, N.Y. : Dos Santos, c1927". The British Museum. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  79. ^ a b c d e f Bacon, Frederick J. Bacon melody folio: 5 choice solos. New York: Don Santos. OCLC 653240756.
  80. ^ a b c d e "Bacon melody folio : 5 solos for tenor and plectrum banjos with piano accompaniment". British Museum. Retrieved April 1, 2020. Rochester, N.Y.: Don Santos Pub. Co., c1928
  81. ^ "Satan's return : plectrum banjo solo. F. J Bacon Rochester, N.Y. : Don Santos, c1928". The British Museum. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  82. ^ Bacon, Frederick J. (July 1909). "Alice, Where Art Thou?". Crescendo. Vol. 2, no. 1. Boston: Crescendo Publishing Company. p. VIII. Retrieved April 3, 2020. Copyright 1897 Graupner and Meyer
  83. ^ a b Hartford Courant, Hartford, Connecticut, 10 Mar 1902, Page 5
  84. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 3, Volume 14, Issue 2, page 2122
  85. ^ "Frederick J. Bacon Concert". St. Albans's Daily Messenger. St. Albans, Vermont. February 24, 1902. p. 7. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  86. ^ a b c d Cadenza magazine, September 1905, p53
  87. ^ Bennington Banner, Bennington, Vermont, 15 Jan 1908, Page 1
  88. ^ a b "Concert and Dance, Greatest Banjo Artists in World Coming Here". Bennington Banner. Bennington, Vermont. January 15, 1908. p. 1. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  89. ^ a b "Personal Notes". Crescendo. Vol. 2, no. 4. Boston: Crescendo Publishing Company. October 1909. p. 12. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  90. ^ "Recent Publications: Banjo". Crescendo. Vol. 2, no. 2. Boston: Crescendo Publishing Company. August 1909. p. 13. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  91. ^ "At a Husking Bee". Crescendo. Vol. 2, no. 10. Boston: Crescendo Publishing, Inc. April 1910. pp. 13–15. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
  92. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. p. 55.
  93. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. pp. 50–52.
  94. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. pp. 53–54.
  95. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. pp. 60–62.
  96. ^ "Victor matrix B-11783. Old folks at home / F. J. Bacon". library.ucsb.edu. Discography of American Historical Recordings, UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved 21 March 2020. Title Note: Victor ledgers note, "with variations by Berthold."
  97. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company. p. 39.
  98. ^ "Free recital by noted banjoist". The Evening Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. August 29, 1922. p. 10. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  99. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company. p. 64.
  100. ^ "Siegel-Myers Correspondence School of Music ... Chicago. Banjo Lesson No. 1(-4). Composed and edited by F. J. Bacon". British Library. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  101. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 1, Group 2, New Series Volume 7 Group 2, Numbers 27-80. Washington D. C.: Government Printing Officer. July 1910. p. 616.
  102. ^ "Bacon melody folio : 5 solos for tenor and plectrum banjos with piano accompaniment". British Museum. Retrieved April 1, 2020. Rochester, N.Y.: Don Santos Pub. Co., c1928?
  103. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1911). New And Revised Method For The Banjo. Schenactady, New York: Bacon—Goggin Publishing Company.
  104. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 3, Issues 1-5. Washington D. C.: Government Printing Officer. 1915. p. 5627.
  105. ^ Catalog of Copyright Entries, Part 3, Issues 1-5. Washington D. C.: Government Printing Officer. 1915. p. 6549.
  106. ^ Bacon, Frederick James (1921). Paramount Method for Banjo in C Notation (PDF). New York: William J. Smith Music Company.
  107. ^ The improved paramount method for the banjo: in C notation, finger style. OCLC 40254513. Retrieved March 31, 2020 – via worldcat.org.
  108. ^ "Victor matrix B-11780. The enchantress / F. J. Bacon". www.library.ucsb.edu. UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive, UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  109. ^ "Victor matrix B-11782. Massa's in de cold, cold ground / F. J. Bacon". library.ucsb.edu. Discography of American Historical Recordings, UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  110. ^ "Victor matrix B-11783. Old folks at home / F. J. Bacon". library.ucsb.edu. Discography of American Historical Recordings, UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  111. ^ "Victor matrix B-11877. The troopers march / F. J. Bacon". www.library.ucsb.edu. UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive, UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  112. ^ "Medley of Southern airs, My old Kentucky home / Dixie / Old folks at home". www.loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  113. ^ "Massa's in de cold, cold ground". www.library.ucsb.edu. UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive, UC Santa Barbara Library. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  114. ^ "Fred J. Bacon (composer)". library.ucsb.edu. Discography of American Historical Recordings, UC Santa Barbara Library. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  115. ^ Cannaught man ; Medley of Scotch airs. OCLC 903982094. Retrieved March 31, 2020 – via worldcat.org.
  116. ^ "Medley of Scotch airs". www.library.ucsb.edu. UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive UC Santa Barbara Library. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  117. ^ "Medley of southern airs". www.library.ucsb.edu. UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive, UC Santa Barbara Library. 16 November 2005. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  118. ^ "Medley of Southern airs, My old Kentucky home / Dixie / Old folks at home". lccn.loc.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  119. ^ Morris, Randall. "Fred Bacon, Banjo Virtuoso's Only Electrical Recording". youtube.com. Retrieved 7 April 2019. [YouTube] ...promotional record for the Bacon and Day "Silver Bell" banjo, played by its founder Fred J. Bacon. Recorded circa 1926...

External links edit

  • List of Bacon's U. S. patents
  • Page at Mugwumps that considers different eras of Bacon banjos.
  • News clipping detailing songlist at Bacon concert
  • Bacon history from the point of view of ukulele-banjo or banjolele.
  • Page that has photo of Frederick J Bacon with his expensive B&D five string banjo, decorated in the same way as his tenor banjos.
  • Page with photo from 1901 of Frederick J Bacon with one of his B&D tenor banjos.
  • The physics PHa Bacon and Day banjo resonating chamber
  • conversations about B&D banjos