The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-18

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played it at all his dances.
IT had never heard the tune.
went to all the other music stores
III town and asked them if they
had calls for the Memphis Blues"
They had, but they didn't know
where, to get it. I went at once
to see Handy, who played it on
the violin and afterward on the
piano.
It was so weird and odd that
hardly knew what to think Of it,
vet it impressed me greatly.
Handy said to me: eff you want
tn hear this tune right come to
the Owls Club tomorrow night.
Wee play for a dance there"
went, and as soon as Handy saw
me- he announced: 1.-THE next
dance will be the grizzly bear. to
the tune of the Memphis Blues -"
s5E -
OUCH a shout went up that
~ knew at once the Memphis
Blues" was very popular with the
dsSicers. When Handy started
that tune everybody began to
iii6Se in some direction; it was
impossible for anyone to stand
stiff when. he played it.. After five
or six encores, the dance was
over. I felt that must have
that tune asked Handy to
come to the store next day. He
came.
:. s@.How much do you want for
that tuner" asked him. "If you
viii sell it right I will buy it and
put 1t on the market, and your
name will be well advertised all
over the country"
II don't know what it is WORTH"
Handy said. att is the first tune
]. have ever written. and I don't
know much about the music bust
ness" 49,.
"well, Handy" 1 said, "how will
$50 and $50 copies of music strike
Zou?''
e:::sAll right; that's a bargain" I
might have got it for s25, but I
was, more than pleased.
DENNET came on from Den
- yer in a few days, and I
met him at the depot. I was so
anxious, to tell him of our good
fortune. We went to the store,
and he looked over the manuscript
and, tried to play it. After a
while he shook his head and said,
We'll, there is no fortune in that
tune. We are stung for $50"
mot we.' I said. 1T will pay
the $50 myself"
mo-" Bennett answered. 1--WE
are partners, and we might as well
lose together as win together"
was somewhat put out, but
not discouraged. I found out that
Handy was playing for a dance
on. Beal street that very night.
Bepnet and I went down to the
dance, and as soon as Handy saw
me he put on that tune. Before
the music was fairly started Ben
nets eyes began to sparkle.
After several encores the music
ceased. Bennett slapped me on the
shoulder and said, Phillips. that
is the greatest tune I ever heard.
Now I can play it on the piano"
Aud the next day he was paying it
All the time.
He was more than pleased with
my bargain. went on the road
for two years with a lunch of
songs we had, but the Memphis
Blues" was the best seller by far.
We finally sold our catalogue to
Joe Morris, of Philadelphia, who
bought the lot just to get the
Memphis Blues"
hURING the war I was sent to
~ New York city, and while
there I went to see Handy. His
name on the Memphis Blues sold
any tune that he would write, and
he had a splendid office on Broad
way, known as the Original house
Of blues"
aJs"You are the man want to see, !"
he, told me. II want to buy the
Memphis Blues from Joe Morris.
If you can get it for $1,000, I will
give you $780," I went to see Nor.
ria, whom knew well.
Hello. joe" said. How 10