Michael Owen

When singers would sing songs not in the way that he wrote them, singing, I've got rhythm instead of I got rhythm, he was somewhat offended by that in a humorous way.

When singers would sing songs not in the way that he wrote them, singing, I've got rhythm instead of I got rhythm, he was somewhat offended by that in a humorous way.

Absolutely. Let's hear Lee Wiley.

Absolutely. Let's hear Lee Wiley.

Absolutely. Let's hear Lee Wiley.

Yes, Lee Wiley, she's generally a forgotten name in the world of popular song these days, but she was one of the first performers to do what we now call songbook albums.

Yes, Lee Wiley, she's generally a forgotten name in the world of popular song these days, but she was one of the first performers to do what we now call songbook albums.

Yes, Lee Wiley, she's generally a forgotten name in the world of popular song these days, but she was one of the first performers to do what we now call songbook albums.

It did. Ira jokingly would usually say that what came first was the contract.

It did. Ira jokingly would usually say that what came first was the contract.

It did. Ira jokingly would usually say that what came first was the contract.

Yeah. Yes. In the early days, and I would say that it would have been from the 20s into the mid-1930s, it was usually George's melodic ideas that started the ball rolling for a song. And it might just have been a fragment of a melody. And Ira had a very good memory for melodies, even though he couldn't really play the piano.

Yeah. Yes. In the early days, and I would say that it would have been from the 20s into the mid-1930s, it was usually George's melodic ideas that started the ball rolling for a song. And it might just have been a fragment of a melody. And Ira had a very good memory for melodies, even though he couldn't really play the piano.

Yeah. Yes. In the early days, and I would say that it would have been from the 20s into the mid-1930s, it was usually George's melodic ideas that started the ball rolling for a song. And it might just have been a fragment of a melody. And Ira had a very good memory for melodies, even though he couldn't really play the piano.

But he did remember them in a certain way that kept them in his mind and could bring them back and try to remind his brother of something that might have been brought up a few months earlier. And it was a very unique relationship. I mean, I know that every songwriter worked in a different way. Songwriting partnerships worked in different ways. But

But he did remember them in a certain way that kept them in his mind and could bring them back and try to remind his brother of something that might have been brought up a few months earlier. And it was a very unique relationship. I mean, I know that every songwriter worked in a different way. Songwriting partnerships worked in different ways. But

But he did remember them in a certain way that kept them in his mind and could bring them back and try to remind his brother of something that might have been brought up a few months earlier. And it was a very unique relationship. I mean, I know that every songwriter worked in a different way. Songwriting partnerships worked in different ways. But

Typically, over the years, Ira would be at a little card table next to George at the And he would have his big sheets of paper with him, and he would just scribble out ideas.

Typically, over the years, Ira would be at a little card table next to George at the And he would have his big sheets of paper with him, and he would just scribble out ideas.

Typically, over the years, Ira would be at a little card table next to George at the And he would have his big sheets of paper with him, and he would just scribble out ideas.