Preis, Rex 1970, 1971
Rex Preis recalls his life and career as a musician in various bands from the 1920s to the 1940s, acquaintances in the music business, and his subsequent career in radio.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Rex Preis
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: February 25, 1970; January 13, 1971
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Interviewer: Fred Carpenter
Length: 2 hours 20 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: Family biography,
Beginning in the Masonic Home School Band,
Enters the University of Texas,
Organizes Rex’s Rebels, a five-piece band,
Plays in San Antonio with Mohnkern,
Joins Eddie Whitley’s Orchestra,
Returns to school—lost contract for gym dances,
Jimmy Joy invites to join his band and travel to California,
First Buick in Texas with 4-wheel brakes,
Experiences in California,
Return to Texas—UT-A & M game (1923),
St. Anthony Open Air Roof (1924),
Out of the band business for a while,
Joins Hymie Waldman at the Gunter (1930).
Tape 1, Side 2: Episode with "Jimmy Valet",
Popular tunes of the time,
"Star Dust",
"Lazy River",
"Body and Soul",
Friendship with Herman Waldman,
Lawrence Welk remembers Waldman band,
Meets future wife, Evelyn,
Traveling with Waldman’s band,
Fun in Galveston,
Trip through the Dust Bowl in the 1930s,
Broadcasting radio shows from Denver, Colorado,
Peabody Hotel date, Memphis, Tennessee,
Episode after flood—doctor’s advice,
San Francisco—Sir Francis Drake Hotel,
Strike ruins the booking,
Acquaintance with Dale Evans,
Gets out of the business (1938).
Tape 2, Side 1: Goes to work at KTSA,
Staff Band Leader,
Repaying the loan to Waldman,
Joins staff at KITE Radio.
Tape 2, Side 2: Blank
Tape 3, Side 1: Herman Waldman and his orchestra,
1931 recordings,
"Lazy River",
Musicians,
"Got No Honey",
Author, Musicians,
Jimmy Joyes Band,
1925 recordings,
Musicians,
"Smiling Bird George",
"Mama Wilson’s Gone",
1920s,
Good times,
Depression (1930s),
Life of a musician,
Rat musicians,
Ruth Caraccan Waldman,
Evelyn Phillips Preis,
Singers with Waldman Orchestra,
Doris Becker,
Evelyn Jones (Oakes),
Confusion over the name Evelyn,
Chuck Wood,
Musician with Waldman Orchestra.
Tape 3, Side 2: Rex Preis’s band,
George Johnson,
Manager of KTSA,
Helped Preis and his band find work,
Band members,
Bea and Joe Morin,
Henry Toliferio, pianist,
Tink Mapitole,
Musician,
Favorite songs,
Writing,
Dale Evans, singer with Preis band.
Range Dates: 1920s-1940s
Bulk Dates: 1920s-1940s
Access Information
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Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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