Disc Recordings - Demos

1. “All Suit - No Man” (J. Fred Coots/Alice Simms). 78 RPM (one side only), undated. Dick Charles Recording, New York. [Disc 233A/40]
2. “Fred Coots Performance” (no further details). 7" 33 1/3 RPM “long play,” dated 1963 February 7. Gotham Recording Corporation, New York. [Disc 233A/1]
3. “Got Me a Blue Eyed Baby” (J. Fred Coots/Johnny North/A.D. Meyer Jr.). 10" (one side only), undated. Allegro Sound Studios, Inc. [Disc 233A/39]
4. “Hansel and Gretel” Part 1 b/w “Hansel and Gretel” Part 2 (incidental music, J. Fred Coots? - see “Hansel and Gretel” under Commercial Releases, below). 10", undated. United Recording Laboratories, New York. [Disc 233A/38]
5. “It's Never To [sic] Warm To Wear Mink” (J. Fred Coots/Walt Framer) b/w “The Curtain Falls” (J. Fred Coots). 10", undated (no further information). [Disc 233A/37]
6. “It's Never Too Warm to Wear Mink” (J. Fred Coots/Walt Framer). 10" (one side only), undated (no further information). [Disc 233A/36]
7. “J'ai tant marché” (Serge Castel/René Denoncin/Daniel J. White), performed by Les Hommes b/w the same, performed by Charly Green. - 45 RPM, undated. Recording studio name obscured by stickers (Ducretet Thomson?). [Disc 233A/2]
8. “A Little Café in Calais” (J. Fred Coots/Sam M. Lewis). 10" (one side only), undated (no further information). [Disc 233A/35]
9. “On a Little Street in Napoli” (J. Fred Coots/Johnny Belfiore) b/w “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life” (Victor Herbert). 45 RPM, undated. Sanders Recording Studios, Inc., New York. [Disc 233A/3]
10. “Our Escapade” (J. Fred Coots). 10", labeled “For reference recording only,” undated. Audio Devices, Inc., New York. [Disc 233A/34]
11. “Paradise Island” (J. Fred Coots). 45 RPM (one side only), dated 1963 March 1. Gotham Recording Corporation, New York. [Disc 233A/4]
12. “Parce qu'un homme” (Serge Castel/André Pascal/René Denoncin). 7" 33/78 RPM (one side only), undated. Made on an Audiodisc (New York) recording blank. [Disc 233A/5]
13. “Santa's Little Helper” (J. Fred Coots/Al Neiburg). 45 RPM (same thing on both sides), undated. Reliance Music Corporation, New York. [Disc 233A/6]
14. “Wait Till You See My Sweetie and Me in My Chrysler Automobile” (J. Fred Coots). 10" (one side only), undated. Allegro Recording Service, New York. [Disc 233A/33]
15. “Why Let a Lie Break Your Heart” (J. Fred Coots/Al J. Neiburg). 10" (one side only), marked “Original” and “Don't give out; only copy,” undated. Associated Recording Studios, New York. [Disc 233A/31]
16. “Why Let a Lie Break Your Heart” (J. Fred Coots/Al J. Neiburg). 10" (one side only), undated (no further information). [Disc 233A/32]
17. “You Happened to Me” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie). 10" (one side only), undated. Associated Recording Studios, New York. [Disc 233A/30]

Disc Recordings - Commercial Releases

1. And Then I Wrote... Performed by J. Fred Coots. 33 1/3 RPM disc CRL 57084. Coral Records “And Then I Wrote” series. New York: Coral Records, Inc., undated. [Disc 233A/41]
   Side One
   1. “Time Will Tell” (J. Fred Coots/Raymond Klages)
   2. “Tomorrow's Another Day” (Sigmund Romberg/J. Fred Coots/Clifford Grey/Sam Coslow)
   3. “Innocent Eyes” (G. Schwartz/J. Fred Coots/M. Moore)
   4. “In My Little Red Book” (J. Fred Coots/M. Moore)
   5. “The Promenade Walk” (Alfred Goodman/J. Fred Coots/Maurie Rubens/Clifford Grey)
   6. “Remembering You” (J. Fred Coots/Clifford Grey)
   7. “Put Your Troubles in a Candy Box” (J. Fred Coots/Clifford Grey)
   8. “Oh What a Beautiful Baby (You Turned Out to Be)” (Frank Loesser/J. Fred Coots)
   9. “Things Look Brighter Again” (Sam M. Lewis/J. Fred Coots)
   10. “A Precious Little Thing Called Love” (J. Fred Coots/Lou Davis)
   11. “I Still Get a Thrill (Thinking of You)” (Benny Davis/J. Fred Coots)
   12. “I Want to Ring Bills” (J. Fred Coots/Maurice Sigler)
   Side Two
   1. “Two Tickets to Georgia” (Joe Young/Charles Tobias/J. Fred Coots)
   2. “One Minute to One” (Sam M. Lewis/J. Fred Coots)
   3. “You Go to My Head” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie)
   4. “Why” (J. Fred Coots/Benny Davis/Arthur Swanstrom
   5. “For All We Know” (J. Fred Coots/Sam M. Lewis)
   6. “Me and My Teddy Bear” (Jack Winters/J. Fred Coots)
   7. “A Beautiful Lady in Blue” (Sam M. Lewis/J. Fred Coots)
   8. “Love Letters in the Sand” (Nick Kenny/Charles Kenny/J. Fred Coots)
   9. “Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie)
2. “Apple on a Stick” (J. Fred Coots) b/w “All Around the Mulberry Bush,” “Did You Ever See a Lassie?” and “Bye, Baby Bunting” (traditional). Performed by Bobby Dixon and Johnny Swift (side 1) with the Peter Pan Orchestra and Chorus, directed by Vicky Kasen (side 1) and Peggy Marshall (side 2). 10" disc 355A/B. Kenosha, Wisconsin: Peter Pan Records, 1953. [Disc 233A/29]
3. “For All We Know” (Sam M. Lewis/J. Fred Coots) b/w “I Wouldn't Know (What to Do)” (Rose Marie McCoy). Performed by Dinah Washington; Don Costa, arranger; Henry Glover, producer. 45 RPM disc R-4444 (16729/16860), with “Radio Station Copy” printed on the label. New York: Roulette Records, undated. [Disc 233A/7]
4. “Hansel and Gretel” (incidental music, J. Fred Coots? - see “Hansel and Gretel” under Demo Recordings, above). Narrated by Jack Arthur, with the Peter Pan Orchestra and The Satisfiers, directed by Vicky Kasen. 10" disc 514A/B 364A/B. Kenosha, Wisconsin: Peter Pan Records, 1954. [Disc 233A/28]
5. “Christmas Chopsticks ('Twas the Night before Christmas)” (Fred Helder) b/w “He'll Be Coming Down the Chimney (Like He Always Did Before)” (J. Fred Coots/Al J. Neiberg). Performed by Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians; vocal chorus by Kenny Gardner (side 2) and the Lombardo Trio. 10" Decca Personality Series disc 27802 (81461/81536). New York: Decca Records, undated. [Disc 233A/27]
6. “The Smile of a Clown” (Thorn) b/w “I'm Afraid to Love You” (J. Fred Coots/Dick Donohue/Matt Furin). Performed by Danny Capri; arrangement by Don Costa. 10" disc P-0005-X/Z. New York: Pic Records, undated. [Disc 233A/26]
7. “I'm Building Castles Again” (J. Fred Coots/Charles Newman) b/w “Don't Fence Me In” (Cole Porter). Performed by Tommy Edwards with orchestra conducted by Leroy Holmes. 45 RPM disc K12871 (59-XY-836/1065). Hollywood: MGM Records, undated. [Disc 233A/8]
8. “Some Day My Prince Will Come” (Morey-Churchill, from Walt Disney's Snow White) b/w “In the Land of Lemonade and Lollypops” (J. Fred Coots). Performed by Lee Adams (side 1) and Wendy Williams and Bobby Dixon (side 2), with the Peter Pan Orchestra and Chorus, directed by Vicky Kasen. 10" disc #520A/2299A. Kenosha, Wisconsin: Peter Pan Records, 1954. [Disc 233A/25]
9. “J'ai vu passer le Père Noel” (J. Fred Coots/Pierre Amel) b/w “Noel est venu” (Alec Siniavine/Jeanblan). Performed by Lisette Keray with Orchestra C. Servais. 45 RPM Son d'or disc BER s. 471 (140/1). Paris: Bérody, undated. [Disc 233A/9]
10. “Let's Be Friends (If We Can't Be Sweethearts)” (J. Fred Coots/Matt Furin/Mannie Greenfield) b/w “Pa-Pa Ma-Ma Cha-Cha” (Al Hoffman/Dick Manning). Performed by Don Cornell with Lawrence Welk and His Champagne Music. 45 RPM disc 9-61757 45-L 9685/9688. New York: Coral Records, undated. [Disc 233A/10]
11. “Little Johnny Chickadee” (J. Fred Coots/Jack Winters) b/w “Peterkin Pillowby” (Seilor/Marcus). Performed by Rosemary Clooney with Percy Faith & His Orchestra. 10" disc 90070-V (MJV 73-1/2 CO 43157/53158). New York: Columbia Records, Inc., 1950. [Disc 233A/24]
12. “The Dwarfs' Yodel Song (The Silly Song)” (Morey/Churchill; from Walt Disney's Snow White) b/w “Little Polly Parakeet” (J. Fred Coots). Performed by Lee Adams (side 1) and Laura Leslie (side 2) with the Peter Pan Orchestra and Chorus, directed by Vicky Kasen. 10" disc 529AB. Kenosha, Wisconsin: Peter Pan Records, 1954. [Disc 233A/23]
13. “Mama Nicolini” (J. Fred Coots/Mickey Alpert/Matt Furin/Del Guercio) b/w “Mandolino” (Les Paul). Performed by L'Organiste Sans Nom/Orgelist Zonder Naam. 45 RPM disc 10049-x45 (20088/9 BIEM). ?, Belgium: Ronnex, undated. [Disc 233A/11]
14. “Mama Nicollini [sic]” (Mickey Alpert/Del Guercio/J. Fred Coots) b/w “The Friend (In the Tennessee Song)” (Butler/Patterson; arr. Murray Nash). Performed by Billy Sha-Rae and the Panic Sisters. 45 RPM disc BU-4 (MFN-303/4). ?: Bay-Uke Records, undated. [Disc 233A/12]
15. “Papa Danst Mambo” (Hoffman/Manning/Reichner/De Lange) b/w “Mama Nicolini” (J. Fred Coots/Mickey Alpert/B. Davidse). Performed by Tom Bergers with orchestra directed by Louis Marshall. 45 RPM disc 10051-x45 (20092/3). ?, Belgium: Ronnex, undated. [Disc 233A/13]
16. “Me and My Teddy Bear” (Jack Winters/J. Fred Coots) b/w “I Found My Mamma” (Holmes). Performed by Rosemary Clooney with orchestra under the direction of Percy Faith, Eddy Manson, Harmonica (side 2). 10" disc 90066-V (CO 42964/3). New York: Columbia Records, Inc., 1950. [Disc 233A/22]
17. “Music to My Ears” (Morrey Davidson/J. Fred Coots) b/w “To Love and Be Young” (Michael Elias) - Performed by Billy Sha-Rae; arrangement, Aldo Provenzano. 45 RPM disc BU-1. ?: Bay-Uke Records, undated. [Disc 233A/14]
18. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie), b/w “Christmas Tears” (Crewe/Bass). Performed by The Four Seasons; Sid Bass, arranger and conductor; Bob Crewe, producer. 45 RPM disc VJ 478 (62-2742/3). Chicago: VeeJay Records, undated. [Disc 233A/15]
19. “Jingle Bells” (traditional) b/w “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie). Performed by Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen and His Orchestra. 45 RPM disc 23281 (L 3199/3200). New York: Decca Records, undated. [Disc 233A/16]
20. “Sweetie Bear” (J. Fred Coots), performed by the Peter Pan Orchestra and the Songs Spinners, directed by H. LaPidus; b/w “Counting Song” (no attribution), performed by the Peter Pan Players and “Pony Boy” (no attribution), performed by Jack Arthur. 45 RPM disc 45-469A/4026B. Kenosha, Wisconsin: Peter Pan Records, 1957. [Disc 233A/17]
21. “Ooh-woo-wee” (Joe Biscoe) b/w “When We're Together” (J. Fred Coots). Performed by Mario Duron and the Wig-Wags. 45 RPM disc 101 (HB-282/3). ?: Wig-Wag Records, undated. [Disc 233A/18]
22. “Village in Capri (Guaglione)” (Fanciulli/Nisa - English lyric, Sonny Skylar) b/w “You Go to My Head” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie). Performed by Don Cornell, with chorus and orchestra directed by Jerry Carretta (side 1) and Dick Jacobs (side 2). 45 RPM disc 9-61993 (104,970/1). New York: Coral Records, undated. [Disc 233A/19]
23. “You're So Simpatico” (J. Fred Coots/Lester O'Keefe) b/w “Mama Nicolini” (J. Fred Coots/Mickey Alpert/Matt Furin/Del Guercio) - Performed by Danny Capri with orchestra conducted by Don Costa. 10" disc P-0001/2. New York: Pic Records, undated. [Disc 233A/21]

1413A: Open-Reel Tapes: Information [unless in brackets] provided by Robert A. Wasserman

1. “If I Were Queen” (J. Fred Coots/Ogden Nash). 7" reel, 7 1/2 IPS, full track, one direction; approx. 20-30 minutes. [1413A/1]
   Note

   Demo of a few songs from the musical, accompanied by piano.

   
   
2. “The Wine of Love” (J. Fred Coots/Haven Gillespie). 4” reel, 7 1/2 IPS, full track; approx. 15 minutes. [1413A/2]
   Note

   Workshop with Nick Palmer, in which he demos his styles using “The Wine of Love.”

   
   
3. Jim McClain interview of J. Fred Coots (1). 7" reel, 7 1/2 IPS, full track; approx. 20-30 minutes. [1413A/3]
   Note

   Interview on Dayton, Ohio radio, probably the first of two done within a few months of each other, conducted by “Dr. IQ” Jim McClain. Coots opens the show with “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” and performs others of his hits.

   
   
4. Jim McClain interview of J. Fred Coots (2). 7" reel, 7 1/2 IPS, half track (begins on left track), same direction; approx. 1 hour. [1413A/4]
   Note

   Probably the sequel to (3). Coots plays piano and organ; mentions story of his discovery of Jimmy Durante.

   
   
5. Coots live at an ASCAP event, Kansas City, 1971. 7" reel, 7 1/2 IPS, full track, one direction; approx. 20-30 minutes. [1413A/5]
   Note

   The event appears to be the 1971 ASCAP Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Includes Coots's take on the effect of rock 'n roll on the music industry.

   
   
6. ASCAP salute to Coots, Imperial Hotel, circa 1972. 7" reel, 7 1/2 IPS, full track; 20 minutes (may be a copy of a radio transcription disc). [1413A/6]
   Note

   The event appears to be the 1972 ASCAP Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony [the salute is likely in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of Coots joining ASCAP]. Includes the story of Tin Pan Alley.