Ren Shields was an American
folk
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musician born in 1868 in
Chicago
(''City in a Garden''); I Will
, image_map =
, map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago
, coordinates =
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, subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...
,
Illinois
Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Roc ...
. He died on 25 October 1913 in
Massapequa, New York
Massapequa (, ) is a hamlet and census-designated place (CDP) in the Town of Oyster Bay in Nassau County, on the South Shore of Long Island, in New York, United States. It is considered the anchor community of the Greater Massapequa area. The p ...
. He co-wrote the song with
George "Honey Boy" Evans
George Evans (10 March 1870 – 5 March 1915) known as "Honey Boy" Evans was a Welsh-born songwriter, comedian, entertainer, and musician active in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Biography
Evans was born in Pontlot ...
"
In the Good Old Summer Time
"In the Good Old Summer Time" is an American Tin Pan Alley song first published in 1902 with music by George "Honey Boy" Evans, George Evans and lyrics by Ren Shields.
Background
Shields and Evans were at first unsuccessful in trying to sell th ...
", (a part of which is sung by
Laurel and Hardy
Laurel and Hardy were a British-American comedy duo act during the early Classical Hollywood era of American cinema, consisting of Englishman Stan Laurel (1890–1965) and American Oliver Hardy (1892–1957). Starting their career as a duo ...
in
Below Zero (1930 film)
''Below Zero'' is a 1930 short film starring Laurel and Hardy, directed by James Parrott and produced by Hal Roach.
Plot
Laurel and Hardy have no success earning money on a bleak, snowy winter's day as sidewalk musicians, especially when playi ...
), amongst other songs, such as "Dreamy Eyes", and "Come, take a Trip in My Air-ship".
Biography
He was the lyricist for turn of century popular song Steamboat Bill with music by
Bert Leighton
The Leighton Brothers (alt. "Leighton and Leighton") was the name of a vaudeville performance team consisting of brothers Frank Leighton and Bert Leighton.. They also composed various songs, most notably "Steamboat Bill," the tune used in the Disn ...
.
He was a member of the vaudeville team of Shields and Maximillian. He was also a member of the Friars, White Rats, the Vaudeville Comedy Club.
His other Popular Songs
*"Come, take a trip in my Air-ship."
Ren Shields (lyricist); George Evans (composer) (Chas. K. Harris, 1911)
*Don't Forget to Write Me Everyday.
Ren Shields (lyricist); Geo. Christie (composer) (M. Witmark & Sons, 1908)
*Dreamy Eyes.
Ren Shields (lyricist); George Evans (composer) (Jerome H. Remick & Co., 1905)
*Go Easy Mable.
Ren Shields (lyricist); Will D. Cobb (composer); Ed. Moran (composer); J. Fred Helf (composer) (Hitland Music Publishers 1418 Broadway, 1909)
*Harry Tracy. A Desperate Ditty.
Ren Shields (lyricist); Bros (composer) (F.B. Haviland Publ. Co., New Zealand Building, Broadway & 37th St., 1911)
*In the Good Old Summer Time. Waltz Song.
Ren Shields (lyricist); George Evans (composer) (Howley, Haviland & Dresser, 1260-1266 Broadway, 1902)
*Papa, Please Buy Me an Airship
Ren Shields (lyricist); Kerry Mills (composer) (F.A. Mills, 122 W. 36th St., 1909)
*The Recipe For Love.
Ren Shields (lyricist); Percy Wenrich (composer) (Jos. W. Stern & Co., 102-104 W. 38th St., 1908)
*Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! Make a Noise like a Hoop and Roll Away.
Ren Shields (lyricist(); J. Fred Helf (composer) (Hitland Music Publishers 1418 Broadway, 1908)
*Steamboat Bill.
Ren Shields (lyricist); Leighton Bros (composer) (F.A. Mills, 122 West 36th St., 1910)
* The Hoola Boola Glide 1911
Ren Shields (lyricist) George Christie (composer) (M. Witmark & Sons)
Death
Shortly before his death he became penniless stemming from developing a form of dementia which disabled him to take care of his affairs. Some of his theatrical colleagues looked after him.
New York Times
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References
1868 births
1913 deaths
Songwriters from Illinois
{{US-songwriter-stub