Bert L. Rule ''(né'' Albert Lyman Rule; 12 August 1891

Brooklyn Brooklyn is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City located at the westernmost end of Long Island in the New York (state), State of New York. Formerly an independent city, the borough is coextensive with Kings County, one of twelv ...

; – 17 August 1978 East Patchogue, New York) was an American composer, arranger, singer, and pianist of popular songs of

Tin Pan Alley Tin Pan Alley was a collection of History of music publishing, music publishers and songwriters in New York City that dominated the American popular music, popular music of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally ...

and the

vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment which began in France in the middle of the 19th century. A ''vaudeville'' was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a drama ...

genre. Rule composed and published his music, some of which became national hits, from 1913 to 1934. He worked in publishing houses, namely M. Witmark & Sons and performed in vaudeville theaters throughout the country roughly during the same period.

Career highlights

; Brennan & Rule ''(circa'' 1918–1920) In 1918 and 1919, while under contract with M. Witmark & Sons, Rule performed

shows with lyricist J. Keirn Brennan, both signing compositions they wrote together, with Rule accompanying on piano. Their biggest nationwide hit at the time was ''Have a Smile for Everyone You Meet'' and ''Gates of Gladness''. ; O'Brien & Rule ''(circa'' 1923–1925) In 1924, Rule performed as a singing composer, with John O'Brien, as singing comedian, in a vaudeville show at the Lyceum in

Canton, Ohio Canton () is a city in Stark County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is the List of cities in Ohio, eighth-most populous city in Ohio, with a population of 70,872 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. The Canton–Massillo ...

. There is an article and advertisement in an October 1924 Toronto newspaper stating that Rule and O'Brien was to perform at Shea's Hippodrome in Toronto. There are also advertisements in 1924 issues of

The Plain Dealer ''The Plain Dealer'' is the major newspaper of Cleveland, Ohio; it is a major national newspaper. In the fall of 2019, it ranked 23rd in U.S. newspaper circulation, a significant drop since March 2013, when its circulation ranked 17th daily an ...

showing Rule and O'Brien performing at B. F. Keith's Palace in

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

. There is a 1926 article in a 1926 issue of The Times,

Batavia, New York Batavia is a city in and the county seat of Genesee County, New York, United States. It is located near the center of the county, surrounded by the Town of Batavia, which is a separate municipality. Batavia's population, as of the 2020 census, ...

stating that Rule and O'Brien was performing at Shea's in

Buffalo Buffalo most commonly refers to: * True buffalo or Bubalina, a subtribe of wild cattle, including most "Old World" buffalo, such as water buffalo * Bison, a genus of wild cattle, including the American buffalo * Buffalo, New York, a city in the n ...

.''"Everybody's Welcome" Heads Bill at Shea's Court Street Theater'', The Times, Batavia, New York, col. 2, pg. 3, September 25, 1926
/ref>

Selected compositions

; Various publishers * ''Way Down East, Sailors Don't Care'', words & music by H. Wallis & G. Feist, Bert Rule (publisher unknown) (1923) ; Published by A. J. Stasny Music Co. * ''Down Where the Tennessee Flows,'' words by Ray Sherwood, music by Bert L. Rule (1913) * ''I Did It All For You,'' words by Ray Sherwood, music by Bert L. Rule (1914) * ''I'm Goin Back to Old Nebraska'', words by Ray Sherwood, music by Bert L. Rule, cover artist Edward Henry Pfeiffer (1868–1932) (1914) * ''There's a Girl That's Meant for Me: in the Heart of Tennessee,'' words by Ray Sherwood, music by Burt L. Rule (1914) * ''Why Shouldn't I Love You'', words by Ray Sherwood, music by Bert L. Rule (1915) * ''Sweetheart - Time'', one step, by Milbury Ryder & Bert Rule (1915) (arr. for band) ; Published by Allan & Co.,

Melbourne Melbourne ( , ; Boonwurrung language, Boonwurrung/ or ) is the List of Australian capital cities, capital and List of cities in Australia by population, most populous city of the States and territories of Australia, Australian state of Victori ...

* ''Shadows will fade away,'' words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''The Gates of Gladness (On the Road To Sunshine Land)'', by J. Keirn Brennan, Paul Cunningham & Bert Rule (1919) * ''Sligo (just to hear my mother sing)'', Irish waltz ballad, words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1920) * ''That's How I Believe in You'', waltz ballad, words by

Al Dubin Alexander Dubin (June 10, 1891 – February 11, 1945) was an American lyricist. He is best known for his collaborations with the composer Harry Warren. Life Al Dubin came from a Russian Jewish family that immigrated to the United States from Sw ...

& Paul Cunningham, music by Bert Rule (1921) ; Published by M. Witmark & Sons * ''I want to see my Ida Hoe in Idaho,'' words by Alex Sullivan, music by Bert Rule (1918) * ''Have a Smile for Everyone You Meet, and They Will Have a Smile for You,'' words by J. Keirn Brennan & Paul Cunningham, music by Bert Rule (1918) * ''If You Don't Stop Making Eyes at Me, I'm Goin' to Make Eyes at You,'' words and music by J. Keirn Brennan, Paul Cunningham, & Bert Rule (1919) * ''Shadows Will Fade Away'', ballad fox trot, words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''My Sampan Man'', words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''The Gates of Gladness (on the Road to Sunshine Land)'', by J. Keirn Brennan, Paul Cunningham & Bert Rule (1919) * ''Ain't It Grand in New Orleans'', words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''Why must we say goodbye?'' by Sam Ash, J. Keirn Brennan & Bert Rule (1920) * ''She's the Heart of Dixieland,'' words by Ray Sherwood, music by Burt L. Rule (1920) * ''Just a week from to-day,'' novelty fox trot song, words by Paul Cunningham &

, music by Bert Rule (1920) * ''On a Far Alone Isle'', novelty fox trot ballad, words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1921) * ''I Want To Rock-a-Bye My Mammy, Like She Used To Rock-a-Bye Me,'' by

, Paul Cunningham & Bert Rule (1921) * ''That's How I Believe in You'', waltz ballad, words by

& Paul Cunningham, music by Bert Rule (1921) * ''Ireland Must Be a Garden, If You Are a Wild Irish Rose'', fox trot song, words by George Graff, music by Bert Rule (1923)

Selected arrangements

; Published by Santly Bros. * ''I Never Dreamt: You'd Fall in Love With Me'', by Donovan Parsons &

Vivian Ellis Vivian John Herman Ellis, CBE (29 October 1903 – 19 June 1996) was an English musical comedy composer best known for the song " Spread a Little Happiness" and the Paul Temple theme " Coronation Scot". Life and work Ellis was born in Hampste ...

, arr. by

Frank Skinner Christopher Graham Collins (born 28 January 1957), known professionally as Frank Skinner, is an English comedian, actor, presenter and writer. At the 2001 British Comedy Awards, he was named Best Comedy Entertainment Personality. His televisio ...

, vocal trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1928) * ''F'r instance'', fox trot, by Paul Denniker, arranged by

Archie Bleyer Archibald Martin Bleyer (June 12, 1909 – March 20, 1989) was an American song arranger, bandleader, and record company executive. Early life Bleyer was born in the Corona section of the New York City borough of Queens. His father was a well-k ...

, includes a vocal trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1930) * ''When the Organ Played at Twilight'', waltz, words by Raymond Wallace, music by Jimmy Campbell & Reg Connelly, arr. by William Conrad Polla, vocal trio arr. by Bert Rule (1930) * ''By my side'', fox trot, words by Dorothy Dick &

Bert Lown Bert Lown (born Albert Charles Lown; 6 June 1903 – 20 November 1962) was an American violinist, orchestra leader, and songwriter. Career Lown was born in White Plains, New York. He began as a sideman playing the violin in Fred Hamm's band, an ...

, music by

Harry Link Harry Link (born John Harry Linkey, January 25, 1896, Philadelphia – July 5, 1956, New York City) was an American vaudeville actor and songwriter. He wrote and co-wrote several well-known jazz standards. Career Link studied at the Wharton S ...

& Chauncey Gray, arranged by

, trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''My Cradle Sweetheart'', waltz, lyrics by Charles Newman, music by

Isham Jones Isham Edgar Jones (January 31, 1894 – October 19, 1956) was an American bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter. Career Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, United States, to a musical and mining family. His father, Richard Isham Jon ...

, arr. by

Bob Haring Bob Haring (August 21, 1895 – February 18, 1975) was an American popular music bandleader of the 1920s and early 1930s. Biography Haring began recording as the music director of the then-new Cameo Records label beginning in 1922 under a plethora ...

, includes a vocal trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''June Time is Love Time, For Everyone But Me'', fox trot, words by

Sidney Clare Sidney Clare (August 15, 1892 – August 29, 1972) was an American comedian, dancer and composer. His best-known songs include " On the Good Ship Lollipop" (introduced by Shirley Temple), " You're My Thrill" (recorded by Billie Holiday), and " P ...

Charles Tobias Charles Tobias (August 15, 1898 – July 7, 1970) was an American songwriter. He was sometimes credited as Charley Tobias. Biography Born in New York City, United States, Tobias grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts with brothers Harry Tobias and ...

, music by

Al Sherman Avrum Sherman (September 7, 1897 – September 16, 1973), pen name Al Sherman, was an American songwriter and composer active during the Tin Pan Alley era in American music history. Some of his most recognizable song titles include " You Gotta B ...

, arr. by

, includes a vocal trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''Building a home for you'', fox-trot, words by

Gus Kahn Gustav Gerson Kahn (November 6, 1886October 8, 1941) was an American lyricist who contributed a number of songs to the Great American Songbook, including " Pretty Baby", " Ain't We Got Fun?", " Carolina in the Morning", " Toot, Toot, Tootsie (G ...

, music by Joseph H. Santly & Joe Bennett, arr. by Fred Loring (1931) * ''I'm an unemployed sweetheart, looking for somebody to love'', fox trot, words by

Edgar Leslie Edgar Leslie (December 31, 1885 – January 22, 1976) was an American songwriter. Biography Edgar Leslie was born in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1885. He studied at the Cooper Union in New York. He published his first song in 1909, starting a ...

Ned Washington Ned Washington (born Edward Michael Washington, August 15, 1901 – December 20, 1976) was an American lyricist born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Life and career Washington was nominated for eleven Academy Awards from 1940 to 1962. He won the Be ...

, music by

James V. Monaco James Vincent Monaco (January 13, 1885 – October 16, 1945) was an Italian-born American composer of popular music. Life and career Monaco was born in Formia, Italy. His family emigrated to the United States when he was six, and he grew u ...

, arranged by Art McKay, trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) ; Santly Bros. WFAA Collection * ''Concentratin' (on you)'', words by

Andy Razaf Andy Razaf (born Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo; December 16, 1895 – February 3, 1973) was the American lyricist of such well-known songs as " Ain't Misbehavin'" and " Honeysuckle Rose". He was also a composer, poet and vocalist. Biograph ...

, music by Thomas Waller, trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''At the Baby Parade'', novelty fox-trot, by Jack Little, Dave Oppenheim &

Ira Schuster Ira Schuster (October 13, 1889 – October 10, 1946) was an American songwriter, who worked as a pianist at various publishing companies on Tin Pan Alley in the early 20th century. He was also known as John Siras. Biography He was born in New ...

, vocal trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1932) * ''When it's Darkness on the Delta'', fox-trot, vocal trio, words by

Marty Symes Marty Symes (1904–1953) was an American lyricist. Symes was born in Brooklyn New York in 1904. His first significant collaborator was composer Jerry Livingston. In 1932 they wrote "Darkness on the Delta", which became a hit for Mildred Bailey. T ...

& Al J. Neiburg, music by Jerry Levinson, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1932) * ''It's the talk of the town'', vocal trio, words by

& Al J. Neiburg, music by Jerry Levinson, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1933) * ''

Under a Blanket of Blue "Under a Blanket of Blue" is an American popular song composed by Jerry Livingston (as Jerry Levinson), with lyrics by Marty Symes and Al J. Neiburg. It was published by Santly Bros., Inc. in 1933, one of four hits by the songwriting trio that ye ...

'', fox trot, words by

& Al J. Neiburg, music by Jerry Levinson, vocal trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1933) * ''

Out in the Cold Again "Out in the Cold Again" is a song written by Ted Koehler and Rube Bloom and first performed by Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra. It reached #4 on the US chart in 1934. Other charting versions *In 1951, Richard Hayes released a version as ...

'', vocal trio, words by

Ted Koehler Ted L. Koehler (July 14, 1894 – January 17, 1973) was an American lyricist. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. Life and career Koehler was born in 1894 in Washington, D.C. He started out as a photo-engraver, but ...

, music by

Rube Bloom Reuben Bloom (April 24, 1902 – March 30, 1976) was an American songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and author. Life and career Bloom was born and died in New York City. He was Jewish. During his career, he w ...

, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1934) * ''It's All Forgotten Now'', vocal trio, words and music by

Ray Noble Raymond Stanley Noble (17 December 1903 – 3 April 1978) was an English jazz and big band musician, who was a bandleader, composer and arranger, as well as a radio host, television and film comedian and actor; he also performed in the United S ...

, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1934) * ''Spellbound'', fox trot, vocal trio, words by Stanley Adams, music by Jesse Greer, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1934)

Selected discography

; Historic recordings * ''Have a smile'' Sterling Trio Victor 18518 (4 December 1918) * ''The gates of gladness (on the road to Sunshine Land) '' Shannon Four,

Lewis James Lewis Lyman James (July 27, 1892 – February 19, 1959) was a vocalist and among the most active of recording artists in the United States from 1917 through much of the 1930s. He was a member of The Shannon Four, The Revelers, and The Criterion ...

, Victor 18590 (28 May 1919) * ''That's how I believe in you''

Henry Burr Henry Burr (January 15, 1882 – April 6, 1941) was a Canadian singer, radio performer and producer. He was born Harry Haley McClaskey and used Henry Burr as one of his many pseudonyms, in addition to Irving Gillette, Henry Gillette, Alfred Ale ...

, Victor 18848 (27 October 1921) ; Cylinder recordings
''Just a week from to-day''
sung by

Aileen Stanley Aileen Stanley, born Maude Elsie Aileen Muggeridge (March 21, 1893 – March 24, 1982), was one of the most popular American singers of the early 1920s. Early life Born in Chicago, Illinois, Stanley was the youngest of four children of English ...

with orchestra, 1219 – Edison Blue Amberol: 4293 (1921)

Family

Albert Lyman Rule was married to Jessie Jack Ellen Laurie (1894-1978). They had a son and a daughter: Donald J. Rule (born 1915–2008) and Edna J. Rule (born 1921-1990).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rule, Bert L. American male composers 1891 births 1978 deaths Composers from New York City 20th-century American composers 20th-century American male musicians