Uploaded May 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
A true gem from the ragtime era, here is 'Kentucky Days,' performed by Matt Tolentino and the Singapore Slingers. Composed in 1912 by Percy Wenrich and Jack Mahoney. Wenrich was born in Joplin, Missouri, and was known as the 'Joplin Kid.' A prolific songwriter in his day, some of his most popular compositions include Moonlight Bay, When You Wore A Tulip, and Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet. With lyrics by Stanley Murphy, the song sold over two million copies and propelled Wenrich to the top of the charts. When Wenrich first wrote "Bonnet", he sang it for Jerome H. Remick and Remick rejected it, feeling it lacked popular appeal. A few days later Remick called Wenrich and told him the tune kept running through his head. He supposedly said "Any song that even I can't forget must become a hit!"
For more information on the Singapore Slingers, visit MattTolentino.com/SingaporeSlingers.
'Kentucky Days' is in the public domain. Performed live at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre in Dallas, TX. Video courtesy of Irwin Arnstein.
A true gem from the ragtime era, here is 'Kentucky Days,' performed by Matt Tolentino and the Singapore Slingers. Composed in 1912 by Percy Wenrich and Jack Mahoney. Wenrich was born in Joplin, Missouri, and was known as the 'Joplin Kid.' A prolific songwriter in his day, some of his most popular compositions include Moonlight Bay, When You Wore A Tulip, and Put On Your Old Grey Bonnet. With lyrics by Stanley Murphy, the song sold over two million copies and propelled Wenrich to the top of the charts. When Wenrich first wrote "Bonnet", he sang it for Jerome H. Remick and Remick rejected it, feeling it lacked popular appeal. A few days later Remick called Wenrich and told him the tune kept running through his head. He supposedly said "Any song that even I can't forget must become a hit!"
For more information on the Singapore Slingers, visit MattTolentino.com/SingaporeSlingers.
'Kentucky Days' is in the public domain. Performed live at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre in Dallas, TX. Video courtesy of Irwin Arnstein.
