The "Edison Rey-CORDS" announcer

[Amy Jeanne]

Is it known who this man (men) is? You know him -- he announces all the songs at the beginning of all the Edison cylinders.

I've always wondered about him (or them). Thanks.

 

[Fletch]

Google Books to the rescue. This book on the voice-over industry(!) mentions Edward Meeker and Arthur Collins, who both doubled as singers for Edison.

The (!) is because it's very unusual to see any such thing in a book that's not about early recording.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Ah! I always assumed it was Len Spencer, otherwise known as "President McKinley."

 

[vitanola]

Ah! I always assumed it was Len Spencer, otherwise known as "President McKinley."

Most of the Edison announcements were made by Harry Humphries and Ed Meeker. Arthur Collins and Len Spencer and Cal Stewart often announced their own records. Spencer often announced the early Gold Moulded records, but was by no means a staff announcer.