Phil Baxter
Phil Baxter (September 5, 1896 – November 21, 1972) was an American songwriter, singer and band leader. Born on September 5, 1896 in Navarro County, Texas, he graduated from Daniel Baker College. He is perhaps best known for his novelty song, "Piccolo Pete", a notable hit for Ted Weems and His Orchestra. Another song, "I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas" was successfully recorded by many artists, including Sidney Bechet, Bennie Moten, Arthur Godfrey and Louis Armstrong.
Baxter led his own orchestra in the 1920s through the mid-1930s, leading two recording sessions, the first in October 1925 in St. Louis, Missouri, and the second in October 1929, in Dallas, Texas. In June 1927, "Phil Baxter and His Texas Tommies" performed at the just-opened El Torreon Ballroom in Kansas City, Missouri, becoming, as "Phil Baxter and His El Torreon Orchestra", the ballroom's houseband from 1927 to 1933.[1] Baxter would open and close each night with the band's theme song, "El Torreon", and their nightly performances were frequently broadcast by KMBC. He ultimately suspended much of his musical activities due to difficulties stemming from arthritis.[1] Baxter died on November 21, 1972.
Notable Compositions
- Piccolo Pete
- Going, Going, Gone
- The One Man Band
- 'Leven Miles from Leavenworth
- Smile For Me
- A Faded Summer Love
- Five Piece Band
- Let's Have a Party
- Harmonica Harry
- You're the Sweetest Girl
- Have a Little Dream on Me
- I'm a Ding Dong Daddy from Dumas
