James Alexander Brennan
Encyclopedia
James Alexander Brennan was an American songwriter.(25 August 1956). James A. Brennan, A Song Writer, 71, The New York Times
Sometimes identified as Jas. H. Brennan, he collaborated with lyricist Jack Caddigan
(1879-1952) (likely a placeholder name
) on several songs published by Leo Feist and O.E. Story. One of his more popular songs was "Little Red School House
" which he wrote with Al Wilson
in 1922. It was originally sung by the American Quartet
and also by The Happiness Boys
, Billy Jones
and Ernest Hare
. Brenda Lee
sang it twice on TV, once at the age of 10 with Red Foley
and later at 16 with Perry Como
.
He was born in Boston
, Massachusetts
, in 1885 and attended the Massachusetts Normal Art School. He was a camouflage artists for the U.S. Shipping Board
during World War I
.
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
Sometimes identified as Jas. H. Brennan, he collaborated with lyricist Jack Caddigan
Jack Caddigan
Jack Caddigan , also known as John J. Caddigan, was an American lyricist. Caddigan may in fact be a placeholder name. He collaborated notably with James Alexander Brennan and O.E. "Chick" Story.-Publications:...
(1879-1952) (likely a placeholder name
Placeholder name
Placeholder names are words that can refer to objects or people whose names are either temporarily forgotten, irrelevant, or unknown in the context in which they are being discussed...
) on several songs published by Leo Feist and O.E. Story. One of his more popular songs was "Little Red School House
Little Red School House
The Little Red School House and Elisabeth Irwin High School, also referred to as LREI, was founded by Elisabeth Irwin in 1921 in Manhattan, New York City as the Little Red School House, and is regarded as the city's first progressive school...
" which he wrote with Al Wilson
Al Wilson
Aldra Kauwa Wilson is a former American football linebacker of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos 31st overall in the 1999 NFL Draft. He played college football at Tennessee....
in 1922. It was originally sung by the American Quartet
American Quartet
American Quartet may refer to:* American Quartet , a mystery novel by Warren Adler.* String Quartet No. 12 by Antonín Dvořák, usually called the "American" Quartet....
and also by The Happiness Boys
The Happiness Boys
The Happiness Boys was a popular radio program of the early 1920s. It featured the vocal duo of tenor Billy Jones and bass/baritone Ernie Hare who sang novelty songs.-Career:...
, Billy Jones
Billy Jones
William "Billy" Jones , a seasoned veteran of the steam era who established the Wildcat Railroad in Los Gatos, California, was born the son of a teamster in the town of Ben Lomond, California, USA....
and Ernest Hare
Ernest Hare
Ernest Dudley Hare was an English stage and film actor.- References :*...
. Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley , known as Brenda Lee, is an American performer who sang rockabilly, pop and country music, and had 37 US chart hits during the 1960s, a number surpassed only by Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Ray Charles and Connie Francis...
sang it twice on TV, once at the age of 10 with Red Foley
Red Foley
Clyde Julian Foley , better known as Red Foley, was an American singer, musician, and radio and TV personality who made a major contribution to the growth of country music after World War II....
and later at 16 with Perry Como
Perry Como
Pierino Ronald "Perry" Como was an American singer and television personality. During a career spanning more than half a century he recorded exclusively for the RCA Victor label after signing with them in 1943. "Mr...
.
He was born in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, in 1885 and attended the Massachusetts Normal Art School. He was a camouflage artists for the U.S. Shipping Board
United States Shipping Board
The United States Shipping Board was established as an emergency agency by the Shipping Act , 7 September 1916. It was formally organized 30 January 1917. It was sometimes referred to as the War Shipping Board.http://www.gwpda.org/wwi-www/Hurley/bridgeTC.htm | The Bridge To France by Edward N....
during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Publications
- The Dream I Had Last Night (1915) with Jack Caddigan and O.E. Story
- In The Golden Summertime (1915) with Jack Caddigan (sheet music)
- The Rose of No Man's LandRose of No Man's LandThe Rose of No Man's Land by Jack Caddigan and James Alexander Brennan is a contemporary song written as a tribute to the Red Cross Nurses at the front lines of the First World War....
; La rose sous les boulets (1918) with Jack Caddigan, (French lyric by Louis Delamarre) (sheet music) - Dreaming Sweet Dreams of Mother
- If The Can Canny Cannibals Captured New York Town (1916) with Moore and O.E. Story
- When It's Cotton Pickin' Time In Tennessee (1918) with Jack Caddigan
- The Trail That Leads To You with Jack Caddigan
- When The Steamboats On The Swanee Whistle Rag-time (1918) with Jack Caddigan