Exhibits: Irish Themes in Sheet Music

Ernest R. Ball & J. Keirn Brennan

1878 - 1927 & 1873 - 1948

Ernest R. Ball is best known as a composer who co-wrote, with Chauncey Olcott, the Irish standards "When Irish Eyes are Smiling" and "Mother Machree." References cite Cleveland and Ireland as his birthplace sometime around 1878, but surely his repertoire speaks of an Irish background. After receiving music training at the Cleveland Conservatory, Ball backed singers, wrote many Irish themed ballads, and sang in vaudeville. His piano playing is documented on several piano rolls he made for the Vocalstyle company. He died in his dressing room while on tour with "Ernie Ball and His Gang."

Ball's grandson, Ernie Ball, was the originator of the guitar store concept and was the developer of lighter strings, marketed as Ernie Ball Slinky strings, for electric guitar.

Ernest R. Ball also collaborated with J. Keirn Brennan on other Irish hits such as "A Little Bit of Heaven, Shure They Call it Ireland," and "Somewhere in Ireland." Brennan was born in San Francisco in 1873, and his youth included cowpunching and the gold rush in the Klondike. He then worked as a professional singer in the Chicago music publishing houses and wrote musical revues before becoming a song writer