Frederick Wheeler

(1877 - 1951) American baritone also known as [a=James F. Harrison] of the [a=Anthony And Harrison] duet team. As a youth he worked as a reporter for a Utica newspaper, before deciding on a musical career. The young baritone studied with Theodore Toedt and other prominent teacher, and in 1901, at the age of 23, was engaged by the old Universal Talking Machine Company to make Zonophone records. His contract was for $1,200 a year. In 1903 he began making Edison cylinders as a duet partner with [a=Albert Campbell (2)]. For Zonophone he made some duets with contralto, [a=Corinne Morgan]. In his early recordings he used the pseudonym of James F. Harrison. The baritones greatest advance into popularity came in 1905 when he and the tenor, [a=John Young (12)], began to record gospel hymns under the assumed names of Harry Anthony and James F. Harrison. They began singing duets for Victor in 1910. Mr. Wheeler also sang in prominent church choirs; took part in many oratorio productions; toured with [a=Walter Damrosch] and [a=Victor Herbert's Orchestra]; sang and acted in [a=Thomas Alva Edison]’s experimental talking pictures 1912-1913.

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