George Wilton Ballard

American tenor vocalist in the 1910's & 20's. Born November 24,1876 Syracuse, New York, USA. Death April 6, 1950 (aged 73) Syracuse, New York, USA. Ballard was one of Thoas Edison's most popular tenors. He began recording in 1910 on U.S. Everlasting Record cylinders. His first performance for Edison Records was released in 1914 on Edison Blue Amberol Records. Subsequent performances were released on about 70 cylinders and a similar number of Diamond Discs. He retired from studio work in 1923. His last Edison recording released in 1926 was recorded several years before its release. Ballard teamed up with soprano-contralto Helen Clark to record some very memorable duets. He charted three times as a singer--twice alone, and once in a duet. "You're More Than the World to Me" hit #9 in the U.S. in 1915 and "M-O-T-H-E-R (A Word That Means the World to Me)" hit #7 in 1916. In 1919 his duet with [a1533310] "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" hit #10. He appeared in 5 of Thomas Edison's Quartettes, short kinetophone films, all in 1913.