Edward Farber's Blog: Bits and Pieces
August 11, 2023
A "Real" Person Is a Character in Baron & Brannigan, Book 1 Song and Dance
August 11, 2023
In doing research for my novel which is set in the theatrical and music milieu of New York in the 1890's, I came upon a songwriter of the time, Monroe Rosenfeld, a very interesting personality. He was active as a songwriter all during the 1880's and 1890's with many popular song hits. Rosie, as his friends called him, also was a writer of newspaper articles (mostly about the music industry and vaudeville.)
I decided to make Rosenfeld a character in my book and through him to introduce other real personalities of the time. Using a real person in fiction is a little tricky since the author must give that character a unique voice that will come across as authentic. In my case, I made Rosenfeld the embodiment of the colorful songwriters of the time whose works appeared in sheet music, the primary means of selling music in those days.
My main protagonist, Billy Brannigan, meets him when he arrives in New York, and they become friends. Through him Billy joins Rosenfeld’s coterie of colorful songwriters who regularly play poker at Jack’s Saloon (a real place at the time in New York’s old Union Square area.) Rosenfeld also indirectly introduces him to Lily Langford, the love of Billy's young life.
Many sources claim that Rosenfeld was the originator of the term “Tin Pan Alley” widely used for decades later to describe New York’s popular music industry which, at the time, centered on 28th Street in Manhattan.
In doing research for my novel which is set in the theatrical and music milieu of New York in the 1890's, I came upon a songwriter of the time, Monroe Rosenfeld, a very interesting personality. He was active as a songwriter all during the 1880's and 1890's with many popular song hits. Rosie, as his friends called him, also was a writer of newspaper articles (mostly about the music industry and vaudeville.)
I decided to make Rosenfeld a character in my book and through him to introduce other real personalities of the time. Using a real person in fiction is a little tricky since the author must give that character a unique voice that will come across as authentic. In my case, I made Rosenfeld the embodiment of the colorful songwriters of the time whose works appeared in sheet music, the primary means of selling music in those days.
My main protagonist, Billy Brannigan, meets him when he arrives in New York, and they become friends. Through him Billy joins Rosenfeld’s coterie of colorful songwriters who regularly play poker at Jack’s Saloon (a real place at the time in New York’s old Union Square area.) Rosenfeld also indirectly introduces him to Lily Langford, the love of Billy's young life.
Many sources claim that Rosenfeld was the originator of the term “Tin Pan Alley” widely used for decades later to describe New York’s popular music industry which, at the time, centered on 28th Street in Manhattan.
Bits and Pieces
Mostly about writing, reading and art which are my main interests (weather and arthritis permitting, I also play golf, another major interest.)
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