Put on Your Old Gray Bonnet

Dominic Vautier  1/7/2012

Percy Wenrich was an eager young music hopeful.  He was strolling around West 28th Street in New York, which was at that time where most of the music companies in town were located.  Wenrich was carrying some words written by his friend Stanly Murphy and was trying to figure out the music.

Suddenly struck by a cool melody, Wenrich raced into the nearest publishing house, which happened to be the Remick Publishing Company in a desperate search for a piano so he could get his song down on paper before he forgot it.  The manager said he could use one of the back pianos but just for 30 minutes because there were other people scheduled.  Wenrich worked feverishly but after 30 minutes the manager returned and attempted to throw him out.  He told the manager he was not done and would not leave, so a big argument erupted.  The owner Jerome Remick came over and said that the Wenrich could finish as long as he himself could see what the song was.  When Wenrich finished he offered the song to Remick.  Remick said he did not like the dumb title “Sun Bonnet” and suggested replacing it with “Grey Bonnet”.  Otherwise it was OK and he would try publishing it.

Cover back

Back cover

Return to home page