American guitarist, vocalist, songwriter from the swing-era.
Born July 13, 1910 in Arvada, Colorado, USA
Died May 31, 2011 in Santa Monica, California, USA
He got his start early, performing with his father in vaudeville, then as a guitarist in dance orchestras, eventually writing and directing Army shows during World War II. He began writing as a sports reporter for the Denver Post while still in high school. He was educated at the University of Colorado.
He charted five times as a songwriter--four times in 1942 with the same song My Devotion (co-written by Jonny Napton). The highest charted release was by Charlie Spivak and His Orchestra, when it reached #2 on the U.S. charts. He also charted in 1943 with Pushin’ Sand by Kay Kyser and His Orchestra (co-written by George Simmons)--it reached #18.
He was also an author and went on to become a music director for the first TV studio band with KLAC in Hollywood and joined up with NBC Television. He played with Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Jimmy Dorsey, Louis Armstrong, the Kay Kyser Orchestra, and many others.