Draft:S.R. Henry

S.R. Henry (1874-1966), was an American composer of popular music and ragtime marches and songs during the first half of the 20th century. His best known works included "The Colored Major" and "Indianola".

Early Life
Henry (birth name, Henry Robert Stern) was born on June 23, 1874 in New York City, the younger son of Theresa Katz and Charles Stern, both German immigrants. He was raised in his father's necktie manufacturing business, along with his siblings Joseph and Hattie. Henry's musical education was sought in public school, and later at City College of New York and Columbia University. He received a Bachelor of Philosophy from Columbia in 1896.

Musical career
Following in the footsteps of his older brother, Joseph, as a publisher of music and salesman with lyricist Edward B. Marks, Henry began to publish his own compositions in the late 1890s. He adopted the title 'S.R. Henry' for his published works. One of his first known publications was "I'll Be Your Friend Just the Same", in 1899.

His first well known piece was the march and two-step, "The Colored Major", published in 1900. This march was widely recorded in the early stages of the Victor Talking Machine Co. and competitor, Columbia Records. It was notably recorded by banjoist Sylvester "Vess" Ossman in 1901. It would be recorded by many other banjo players of the era, and remain a popular ragtime reception and concert piece in the United States and Canada in the early 1900s.

By 1901, Henry was an established composer of tin pan alley songs and instrumental pieces. He was also an active member of his brother's music publishing company, J.W. Stern & Co., which would see large financial gains by 1910. Henry made acquaintance with lyricist and future mayor of New York city, James J. Walker, also during this time. They contributed roles of lyric writing as well as arranging for "After they Gather the Hay" and others from 1906 to 1907.