Biography: Thomas Clanton Calloway March 1, 1879 – photograph

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THOMAS CLANTON CALLOWAY

BIOGRAPHY and GENEALOGY

(1879-aft. 1904)

MONTGOMERY, ALABAMA

Thomas Clanton Calloway, musician and composer, of Montgomery, won the right to the title of “Alabama’s young musical genius.” He was born in Troy, Ala., March 1, 1879. From infancy he displayed remarkable musical talent, being able to play the piano before he was able to balance himself on the piano stool. At the age of twelve, he was organist at his Sunday school. His mother, quick to recognize in her son a musical genius, devoted herself to the care of his musical education and sent him to the best of teachers.

At eighteen he was admitted to the Boston Conservatory of Music, where he was at once recognized as a genius, and shortly afterwards he began to publish. He has since then published many spirited marches and two-steps, all of which are original and characteristic, and which have been uncommonly popular with the music-loving public. Notable among his early efforts were the “U. D. C. March” and the “Debutante Two-Step.” His greatest popularity, however, has arisen from his songs, for which Kate Slaughter McKinney, the talented Southern poet, has composed the words.

He published several songs around 1904. The first, a little waltz caprice entitled “There Are No Eyes Like Thine,” was followed by “Down in the Jeweled Deep,” “Eventide,” “The Green Kentucky Pastures,” “Love.s Dreaming Song,” “Whar the Watermilyuns Grow” and “The White Rose,” his work, was issued by Sol Bloom. Mr. Calloways and had in manuscript at least six other beautiful melodies, with his characteristic accompaniments IN 1904.

Besides his ability as a composer, he is also a splendid organist. In person, Mr. Calloway was of blonde type, with slender hands and an attractive air of gentleness that makes everyone his friend. The Pans World for April 1904, contained his picture and a sketch of his work.

SOURCES

1.Notable men of Alabama: personal and genealogical, Volume 1 By Joel Campbell DuBose

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