I just found a 1906 recording of Vess Ossman playing St Louis Tickle where the sound of his banjo and his banjo playing is very clear. It sounds like he probably has a new tight head on the banjo. At any rate the force of his attack is very much in evidence as is his excellent rhythmic sense. Plus there is an excellent essay on Ossman written by Tim Gracyk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAtIM1H9Tjg

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Reading the essay brings up a question for me.  What happened to Jr?  Did he record?  Compose? When did he die? 

I know he toured with in a cowboy act with Rex Schepp and Tom Mix endorsing silver bells.

Thanks Jody,

I notice that the same uploader has another version of the Ossman solo that I had not heard. 

THE MOOSE MARCH by Vess Ossman 1910

Ossman's playing is amazing... you can see that other major players were strongly influenced by his dynamic style.

Some time ago Richard Ineson sent me his transcription of Vess playing "The Moose".

I have added the score to the MUSIC LIBRARY.

Yes, very clear.  I love the 'Introducer' on these old records.

That version of the Moose March is some of the most mature playing I've heard from Ossman.  Great stuff.  

Thanks to Jody and Ian for the Ossman recordings.

Joel 

It's been a while since I read any on Ossman Jr, and there could be recall errors, but a few facts :

He was born in 1893, and learned to play the banjo from his father.

In 1913, Vess Sr was booked to perform at the Richmond Va Auto Show. He couldn't make it, so he sent his 19 or 20 year old son. With youthful energy and some good skills, Vess Jr. and his Cabaret performers were well received. He is referred to in the press as "that youngster Ossman."

He later toured the Vaudeville circuit with his father. They were on the road together in 1923 when his father passed. 

Some time after, Vess jr and Rex Shepp teamed up, and don't let the costumes fool you. These were showmen, but also serious, talented musicians.

Vess Jr did not use a middle initial. His father was typically Vess L. Based on this, there is some speculation that Vess Jr wrote "Go to It" as the composer is "Vess Ossman", without the middle initial.

Vess Jr died even younger than his father, c. 1942, about 49 years of age. 

I don't know of any recordings from the time Ossman and Schepp were a duo, but Shepp put out 6 sides for RCA in the late 1940's with Nathaniel Shilkret and Orchestra. The arrangements are lush, Shepp's playing is superb. One side is "Down South" which Vess L. had first recorded c. 1901. If Ossman Jr's talents even approached those of Schepp, he was a master of the instrument.

Thanks Shawn!

I think Bacon did a cowboy thing too-- it was a big part of popular culture for a good chunk of time.  The weird part is when the cowboy thing got mashed with "Tyrolean" yodeling and Hawaiian guitar music-- what a odd combination!

I cannot see how Tom Mix doing rope tricks, knife throwing, whip cracking and gun twirling while Jr. and Schepp play banjo duets could possible be bad-- that combination sounds like a great show! (but I'm from Texas.)

Given the popularity then of banjo entertainer Ray "Montana" Coleman, also a B& D endorser, what could be better than a cowboy act with two banjos ? Ah, but could they yodel?

I read somewhere that Fred Bacon got his start working in a wild west show. Also that he still enjoyed his six-guns later in life. Maybe that contributed to his seeking B&D endorsements from "western" acts.

Bacon was known as "Nebraska Fred" and toured with Bronco John's Wild West Show.

http://www.addison-eagle.com/news/2015/dec/16/banjo-kid-made-forest...

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