Evening star., 1943-06-20
James Melton Recalls
How D. T.. Music Critic
Aided His Career
Mccormack and Curuso
Singing Idols of SoIoist
At Water Cote TONIGHT

James Melton, a Southern boy
whose singing idols are John Me-
Cormack and Enrico Caruso, will
be guest tenor soloist at the Ma
tional Symphony Orchestra's Sun
set Symphony" at $3.50 o'clock to-
night at the Water Gate. After
the concert he will sing at the Stage
Door Canteen for Servicemen.
Mr.. Melton, who made his oper-
attic debut with the Metropolitan
Opera Co. last year, has come a
long way in the world Of music
since he joined the Revelers' quar-
tet of radio fame in 1928. His
voice has been likened to that of
Mccormack, and no greater COM
pliment could be paid him, accord
ing to his way of thinking.
During an interview at Hotel 24OO
yesterday afternoon, Mr.. Melton
recalled that a Washington music
critic in 1884 helped launch him
on the road to operate success.
HE wrote that if I would take my
self seriously, I would have a career
as a concert artist" Mr.. Melton
said. Il began taking myself Sc
riously"
One of the biggest thrills he has
known, he said, occurred recently
when he sang Rachmaninoff songs
arranged by Fritz Kritzler for him
self and Mccormack. in Carnegie
Hall. kritzler himself played the
obligato, with Melton in the tenor
role.
Two Eventful Days.
1t Is always interesting to know
how a famous artist got his start.
In Mr.. Melton's case. two things
happened to him in two days that
changed his career 1t was 1920,
he was a freshman student at the
University Of Florida. He tried out
for the college band as a saxophone
player. The next day the presi-
dent of the university, DR.. A. A..
Murphree, heard him sing in the
college chapel, sent for him, and
told him to give up his law course
and concentrate on his voice.
From Florida Mr.. Melton went to
the University of Georgia. In the
meantime he had become fairly pro-
f1clent with saXophone and or
ganlzed a college orchestra. which
helped him pay expenses. The fol-
lowing year he entered Vanderbilt
University to study voice under a
noted teacher there. In 1927 he
began his professional career at the
Roxy Theater, New York City.
He was urged to accept an offer
70 join the Revelcrs Quartet. They
told me to get in on the ground
floor of radio, and I did" Mr.. Mel
ton remarked. Il was with them
five years, 1928 to 1888. Later he
went into the movies. but quit in
1887 to study and train for operatic
roles.
More Operas in English Urged.
He believes more operas should
be translated into English. where
the cadence of songs is not lost
through the translation.
We have the greatest pool of
operate talent in the world. but it
has not been developed" he told
interviewers.
Every tenor hopes to develop into
second Caruso. but there will never
be another" he said. NO tenor
can approach him"
Asked why few stirring songs have
been produced during the present
war compared with the number of
tuneful, popular melodies flowing
out of the World War Mr.. Melton
said efforts now are being made to
improve the situation. He is a mem
Der OF a committee with Oscar
Hammerstein and others. seeking to
encourage service men to compose
outstanding songs of a patriotic
nature. The American Society of
composers, Authors and Publishers,
ne added, is cooperating. I'VE be-
Aeve some good songs will be dug
up he remarked.
Collects Antique Autos.
Mr.. Melton knows what it means
to work hard for little money. AT
least he knew it as youngster
when my first job was loading
Watermelons for 40 cents day"
With the exception of Henry Ford
Mr.. Melton probably has the largest
private collection Of antique auto
mobiles in the world. His collection
now numbers Is cars of all makes
He picks them up in many States
Last winter the No Winton auto
mobiles was sold for junk in Cleve-
land, Ohio, Il barely missed picking
1t up" he said.
Tonight Mr.. Melton's solos will
Include selections from Jerome
Kern, Kalman, Won Platon, Handel
and Schubert. Alexander Smallens
noted conductor, will conclude his
third concert as guest conductor.