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Show Page 8 (r STATE FARM well, laughed often and loved much. BETTY CZACHOWSKI no business like show business says the song and a Holladay man can prove Theres It. He Is Fred C. Graham who has spent 75 of his 90 years In front or behind stage footlights as singer, actor and INSURANCE agent. Although close to the century mark, Mr. Graham continues to work In the theatrical world and Is as active and alert now as any man half his age. He Is presently district manager of the National School NOW! State Farm insures 7,500,000 cars! Why not make yours No. 7.500.001? You ll en joy the Famous Low Rates and Hometown Service that have made people insure more cars with us than with any other company! Call today! Assembles GARY F. WILKINSON DONA. CHRISTIANSEN which ge STATE FARM Street Guide. My sons, grandsons and I have traveled all the streets of Salt Lake County to get the Information for this booklet, he said. Born In Salt Lake City October 18, 1874, Mr. Graham first got his taste of Show Mutual Aulomobtlt Insurshc Company Horn Offict Bloomington, Illinois MILLCREEK PLAZA East Agency, supplies talent for local school assemblies. Last year we had over a thousand assemblies In the area, Mr. Graham said. But he added that most of his time at present Is taken up by publication of the pocket edition of Farrs Salt Lake City and County JAMES H. SNYDER 486-925- Singer, Actor, Ag6nt Says Theres No Business Like Show Business How to stay young at 90: Tve lived BY 2343 ) Sglt Lake County, Utah Thurtday, July 2,1964 ROCKY MOUNTAIN REVIEW 33rdSouth 9 2 biz and 15. Mr. Graham smiled as he recalled an Incident which happened on a slanted stage Chimes of Norduring A group of Provo citizens were seeking talent for a minstrel show, heard Mr. Grahams unusual tenor voice and a star was born. The gifted artist performed on many occasions In Utah during those early years, especially at Brigham Young University where he furthered his musical education. Singing anywhere anytime, the singer went on tour with a repertoire company during ftie summer of 1893. During this time he gained excellent theatrical training and polish by playing comedy, hero, villain and character parts. OPERA StNGER He remembers his start with the old Salt Lake Opera Company quite vividly. My . first real thrill, says Mr. Graham, was when I sang a love song to Sally Fisher, soprano of the opera. From then on I was a permanent future of the organiz- ation. The tenor sang In the Salt Lake Theatre In such operas as The Mascot, The Pirate of Penzance, Chimes of Normandy, Trip to Africa , The Wedding Day his first real singing performance was at theTemple dedication In 1893. I havent told this to many he said, but when people I was about 16 years old I was a water boy for the choir. I use to pass water to the singers, he laughingly added. After his marriage In 1896, Robin Hood. ' mandy. actor was fastened In his armour, singing a song, the armour started when to roll down stage. It was about An PORTRAIT down to the footlights, ready to fall over Into the orchestra pit, when another actor grabbed him and saved the day, he said. He added sadly that he will never forget the last performance In the Salt Lake Theatre October 20, 1928. The theatre was packed as thaompany staged the second act of Robin Hood and the Gates Company preLucy sented the third act of La Travlata. CHOIR WATER BOY For many years Mr. Graham sang with the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir. He says Mr. Graham knew he needed, more money to support a family. So for the next six years he worked In the disbursing office of the Short Line Railroad, but continued to make singing appearances whenever work permitted. Thumbing through a magazine one day he came across this quote: If a man Is worth anything to a corporation he Is worth Just that much more to himself. So I quit my job, he recalled, so I could go Into -- - show busj the field I loved iness. He started to teach music and a few years later opened the Music and Lyceum Bureau to 1906. And for the past 58 years he has booked thousands of artists and attractions for public appearances In the Intermountain region. He was instrumental In bringing such top personalities to Salt Lake as John McCormack, Nellie Melba and Helen Keller. The National School Assemblies Agency Is an outgrowth of the Bureau. FLOPPED AT FIRST His first booking venture only netted him askimpy$L50 profit, but his spirits werent Stephens Company and the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and appeared with the Church Choir at numerous wards and shakes. SANG wiTH SOUSA Even though singing and his talent bureau took up a great deal of his time, Mr. Graham took on the extra Job as director of music at the Hotel Utah. Besides being In charge of music for the hotel, he arranged musical and dancing programs for conventions and various associations. Mr. Graham and his mixed quartet sang with the John Philip Sousa band when it dampened. In 1907 he brought the Chicago Symphony Orchestra to a musical festival Lake Tabernacle. I In on Page 10) Southeast the Salt 2)ance went up and down the streets selling season tickets for $1.50 for the three perforthe agent related. mances, Even at those prlcesl cleared over $1,000. From 1907 tor 1914 he continued to bring the worlds best artists to the area, but it) the process didnt neglect his own singing career. He. toured the Orpheum circuit with the Imperial Male Quartet and appeared In concerts, operas and oratorios. Mr. Graham sang a tenor solo when the C athedral of the M was dedicated In 1909. In 1911 he went on the road with the Tabernacle Choir and appeared at the Land Congress Slcademys announces its SUMMER TEEM , Meet Our Eminent Faculty JfjrM soloist, U. of U. Ballot 4r ne J t RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL Ntw lnstollatioRS - Rsmodsliag I - Rspairiig HOMES Opnp ENGINEERING aid NJLDjLA. JANE SUMMERHAYS U. of U. Ballot SMALL CUSSES years and older hour tap and ballet 12 1 VIEWING ONE-WA- WINDOWS PLANNING STORES EICHZRS JUDY WHITE music schools In Cedar City, Vernal and Richfield In 1917. During the next ten years he toured Utah with the Evan COMPLETE Company LYNETTE in New York City. With his bureau well established, Mr. Graham opened 4', WHITE SHIRLEY RUBBER CUSHIONED MAPLE FLOOR SERVICE ESTIMATES TERMS CENTRAL PLANTS RICKS FURNACE & Competent Workmen IN 6-86- "Btter Wotk 61 Costs You No at review party given at the end of the course. BUS PICKUP SERVICE TO YOUR DOOR AUXH1$ FO- R- yourself why you waited so long to visit. You dont need a More" $175Per Mo. yt Only (bus sorvico slightly moro) special occasion to call Long Distance. Try it and see! 3031 So. MAIN r Your child receives her GOLD TROPHY People are surprised. They call others to the phone. You ask Years of Experience Strung Utah Shut 1J36 SUPPLIES Things happen when you call Long Distance. AIR CONDITIONING AIR CONDITIONING COMPLETE LINE OF DANCE Count On It ARRANGED UNIT PACKAGE 7 r STUDIOS FREE INDUSTRIAL 0 SOUTHEAST DANCE ACADEIVO 2166 So. 9th East MOUNTAIN (Southeast Musk Bldg.) 4 STATES TELEPHONE Call Now for Details KU4-12S1-H- U KU FREE A Reasons Why 75 MILLION MEMORIES -- years in show business. theatrical agent. You Should W Fred C. Graham glances through his scrapbook which recalls The longtime Holladay resident has been a singer, actor and IT'S OLD QtCiTlXi) pemnnra Keep Your GAS PILOT LIGHT ON 2 3 4 Take the chill off cool mornings and evenings: A pilot light left burning will mean your furnace can provide you with instant comfort on chilly summer mornings and evenings at the touch of your finger. Avoid the inconvenience and possible delay of a turn-on- " in the Fall: It is impossible to re light everyone's furnace pilot on the first cool fall leave your furnace pilot on. day. Avoid the rush Prolong the life of your heating equipment: The small amount of heat radiating from the furnace pilot will protect your heating system from corrosion, add yearof useful operation. Provide a more comfortable basement: This same slight amount of additional heat hetps ventilate the basement and dry the air, reducing dampness and increasing your comfort. MOUNTAIN -- V. 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