Carl Fenton
Encyclopedia
Carl Fenton born as Walter G. Haenschen, was an American
bandleader, composer, and radio musician.
studio bands through the 1920s. The name was invented by Brunswick
music director Walter Gustave "Gus" Haenschen shortly after taking the position for their brand-new American division. Later, the name was taken by violinist Rudy Greenberg.
Haenschen, whose own name was considered ill-suited for commercial recordings, haphazardly chose the name "Fenton" after the town of Fenton, Missouri
, near his hometown of St Louis, Missouri. He attended Washington University. (He told an interviewer "How do you find a name? Just pull it out of a hat." The first name "Carl" was likely selected by Brunswick’s office staff.
, where he recorded as "Carl Fenton’s New Yorkers". Under the direction of Greenberg, the Carl Fenton Orchestra then moved to radio, where they co-starred with a young Bing Crosby
from 1931-1932 on the CBS
network (on tour the orchestra was named "Cremo Orchestra" after sponsor Cremo Cigars).
In 1932, Greenberg had his name legally changed to Carl Fenton. He continued to work as a music director for radio and theaters until his death in March 1980.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
bandleader, composer, and radio musician.
Name origin
The Carl Fenton Orchestra (AKA "Carl Fenton’s Orchestra") was a title given to Brunswick RecordsBrunswick Records
Brunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
studio bands through the 1920s. The name was invented by Brunswick
Brunswick Records
Brunswick Records is a United States based record label. The label is currently distributed by E1 Entertainment.-From 1916:Records under the "Brunswick" label were first produced by the Brunswick-Balke-Collender Company...
music director Walter Gustave "Gus" Haenschen shortly after taking the position for their brand-new American division. Later, the name was taken by violinist Rudy Greenberg.
Haenschen, whose own name was considered ill-suited for commercial recordings, haphazardly chose the name "Fenton" after the town of Fenton, Missouri
Fenton, Missouri
Fenton is a city in St. Louis County, Missouri, United States, and a suburb of St. Louis. The population was 4,022 at the 2010 census.-History:Due to its proximity to fertile land and the Meramec River, the Fenton area has been inhabited for over 1,000 years...
, near his hometown of St Louis, Missouri. He attended Washington University. (He told an interviewer "How do you find a name? Just pull it out of a hat." The first name "Carl" was likely selected by Brunswick’s office staff.
Early recordings
The earliest songs recorded by Carl Fenton’s Orchestra were Karavan and Romance, from October 1919. Brunswick Records released many "Carl Fenton" records, with various line-ups of musicians. The band was typically led by Haenschen in the studio, but was led by studio musician/conductor Reuben "Rudy" Greenberg during their occasional concerts.Orchestra change
Around the time that Haenschen left Brunswick Records in mid-1927, Greenberg purchased the rights to the Carl Fenton name. From 1928-1930 Greenberg was musical director for Gennett RecordsGennett Records
Gennett was a United States based record label which flourished in the 1920s.-Label history:Gennett records was founded in Richmond, Indiana by the Starr Piano Company, and released its first records in October 1917. The company took its name from its top managers: Harry, Fred and Clarence Gennett....
, where he recorded as "Carl Fenton’s New Yorkers". Under the direction of Greenberg, the Carl Fenton Orchestra then moved to radio, where they co-starred with a young Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby was an American singer and actor. Crosby's trademark bass-baritone voice made him one of the best-selling recording artists of the 20th century, with over half a billion records in circulation....
from 1931-1932 on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
network (on tour the orchestra was named "Cremo Orchestra" after sponsor Cremo Cigars).
In 1932, Greenberg had his name legally changed to Carl Fenton. He continued to work as a music director for radio and theaters until his death in March 1980.