Fran Frey

Fran Frey (December 23, 1903 in Indiana - December 1, 1962 in California) was a singer and saxophonist best known for his work for George Olsen and His Music in the 1920s and early 1930s. Among his better known songs are "The Varsity Drag" of 1927; "Big City Blues" of 1929, and "A Garden in the Rain", also of 1929. Frey sang on 77 songs with the George Olsen band on recordings and on the radio. "Who?" sold more than a million copies.

Frey was heard on the Oldsmobile Program on CBS radio in 1933.

Although he played for several other bands after Olsen's, including Victor Young's, he never achieved the level of fame he had in earlier years.

Frey died of a heart attack in his home on December 2, 1962 at the age of 58. At the time of his death, he was writing music for the Ice Capades and for Columbia Pictures.

Birth and Death Data: Born December 23, 1903, Died December 1, 1962 (California)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1924 - 1948

Roles Represented in DAHR: baritone vocal, songwriter, composer

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor BVE-33337 10-in. 8/21/1925 I'm knee deep in daisies (And head over heels in love) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-33832 10-in. 10/30/1925 Just a little thing called rhythm George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-33856 10-in. 11/6/1925 Who George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-33881 10-in. 11/17/1925 A little bit bad George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34110 10-in. 12/1/1925 Miami George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34333 10-in. 1/15/1926 She's a corn-fed Indiana girl (But she's mamma to me) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet songwriter, vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34353 10-in. 1/22/1926 Oh, how I've waited for you George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34354 10-in. 1/22/1926 All for you George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34601 10-in. 2/5/1926 Always George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34606 10-in. 2/10/1926 Don't be afraid to come home George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band (takes 1-4); with male vocal duet (takes 6-8) vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34624 10-in. 2/16/1926 Drifting and dreaming George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-34676 10-in. 3/4/1926 Horses George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo and monologue vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35335 10-in. 4/22/1926 Just a little dance George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35336 10-in. 4/22/1926 The girl friend George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35607 10-in. 5/14/1926 Let's make up George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal duet vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35608 10-in. 5/14/1926 Hello, aloha! How are you? George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35693 10-in. 6/16/1926 Bye bye blackbird George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35731 10-in. 6/30/1926 Lucky day George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35732 10-in. 6/30/1926 Katinka George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35751 10-in. 7/8/1926 You need someone to love George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal, songwriter  
Victor BVE-35777 10-in. 7/16/1926 Where'd you get those eyes George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-35778 10-in. 7/16/1926 Hi-diddle-diddle George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-36882 10-in. 10/29/1926 Leander George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-36883 10-in. 10/29/1926 I never knew what the moonlight could do George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-36909 10-in. 11/6/1926 I'm tellin' the birds, tellin' the bees (How I love you) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-36910 10-in. 11/6/1926 Do-do-do George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-36953 10-in. 11/22/1926 Meadow lark George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-36954 10-in. 11/22/1926 I've got the girl! George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37130 10-in. 12/13/1926 Ev'ry little while George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37131 10-in. 12/13/1926 For you and me George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37163 10-in. 12/21/1926 Sam, the old accordion man George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37164 10-in. 12/21/1926 Thinking of you (I've grown so lonesome) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37549 10-in. 1/19/1927 Blue skies Bob Borger ; Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music ; Bob Rice Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37550 10-in. 1/19/1927 Where's that rainbow? Bob Borger ; Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music ; Bob Rice Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37741 10-in. 2/4/1927 At sundown (When love is calling me home) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-37742 10-in. 2/4/1927 Somebody else Bob Borger ; Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music ; Bob Rice Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-39471 10-in. 8/18/1927 Lucky in love George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-39472 10-in. 8/18/1927 Good news George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-39474 10-in. 8/19/1927 The varsity drag George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-40182 10-in. 10/14/1927 Blue baby (Why are you blue?) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-40501 10-in. 10/21/1927 My heart stood still George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-40535 10-in. 11/1/1927 The song is ended (But the melody lingers on) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-45182 10-in. 5/28/1928 Because my baby don't mean 'maybe' now! George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-45627 10-in. 6/12/1928 Pickin' cotton George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-45628 10-in. 6/12/1928 Old man sunshine (Little boy blue bird) George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-45641 10-in. 6/18/1928 American tune George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-45891 10-in. 7/19/1928 Ten little miles from town George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-46600 10-in. 7/23/1928 King for a day Fran Frey Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-46601 10-in. 7/23/1928 Out of the dawn Fran Frey Male vocal solo, with orchestra vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-46955 10-in. 8/28/1928 Out of the tempest George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-47511 10-in. 9/13/1928 Doin' the raccoon George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-47528 10-in. 9/18/1928 Where were you—where was I? George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-47802 10-in. 10/3/1928 Where the shy little violets grow George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-48438 10-in. 12/6/1928 Come west little girl, come west George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal quartet vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-49250 10-in. 12/11/1928 Makin' whoopee! Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-49251 10-in. 12/11/1928 Until you get somebody else Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-49625 10-in. 1/8/1929 When the world is at rest George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-49634 10-in. 1/11/1929 The Monte Carlo song George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-50963 10-in. 3/22/1929 Walking with Susie Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-50980 10-in. 3/27/1929 Dream mother George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-50981 10-in. 3/27/1929 A garden in the rain Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-50996 10-in. 4/1/1929 Breakaway Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-50997 10-in. 4/1/1929 Big city blues George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-51606 10-in. 4/4/1929 I'm in seventh heaven Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-51607 10-in. 4/4/1929 Little pal Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-51998 10-in. 5/13/1929 Reaching for someone (And not finding anyone there) Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-53529 10-in. 5/29/1929 Watcha want to make me love you for, baby Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Male vocal solo, with jazz/dance band composer, vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-53530 10-in. 5/29/1929 Or what have you Fran Frey ; Ethel Shutta Female-male vocal duet, with jazz/dance band vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-54481 10-in. 10/27/1929 What do I care George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo (takes 4-6); with male vocal trio (takes 1-3) vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-54482 10-in. 10/27/1929 South Sea Rose George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo (takes 4-6); with male vocal solo (takes 1-3) vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-54519 10-in. 11/24/1929 Mona Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-54621 10-in. 2/23/1930 When the little red roses get the blues for you Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-54675 10-in. 3/7/1930 Sing a little theme song Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-54800 10-in. 5/13/1930 Shoo the hoodoo away Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-54802 10-in. 5/13/1930 There's happiness over the hill George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with vocal chorus vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-55621 10-in. 7/23/1929 The moonlight march George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-55623 10-in. 7/25/1929 If you belived in me George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BVE-55624 10-in. 7/25/1929 Song of the moonbeams George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-61022 10-in. 9/16/1930 My ideal Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-61053 10-in. 11/10/1930 My love for you George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor PBVE-61054 10-in. 11/14/1930 Song of the fool George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BRC-71896 10-in. 2/24/1932 You can make my life a bed of roses (Marry me) Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BRC-71914 10-in. 3/4/1932 Love, you funny thing! Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BSHQ-71952 10-in. 3/15/1932 My woman Leo Reisman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BSHQ-71953 10-in. 3/15/1932 Too many tears Leo Reisman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BRC-71986 10-in. 3/23/1932 Say George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BRC-72286 10-in. 4/14/1932 Tom Thumb's drum Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BRC-72288 10-in. 4/14/1932 Gosh darn! Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music ; Ethel Shutta Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-73357 10-in. 9/2/1932 All-American girl Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-73573 10-in. 9/24/1932 It's gonna be you Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-73574 10-in. 9/24/1932 Pu-leeze! Mister Hemingway Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-73577 10-in. 9/24/1932 Pink elephants Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-73843 10-in. 10/20/1932 Ain'tcha kinda sorry now? Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-74793 10-in. 1/11/1933 Hallelujah, I'm a bum Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-74794 10-in. 1/11/1933 My fraternity pin Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor BS-74795 10-in. 1/11/1933 The girl in the little green hat Fran Frey ; George Olsen and his Music Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Victor D8VB-4103 10-in. 12/21/1948 She's a corn-fed Indiana gal Drugstore Cowboys ; Jack Lathrop Male vocal solo, with mixed vocal trio and instrumental ensemble songwriter  
Columbia 140258 10-in. 1/16/1925 Never gettin' no place blues Al Bernard ; Dixie Stars ; J. Russel Robinson Male vocal duet, with piano composer  
Columbia 142160 10-in. 5/6/1926 You need someone to love Broadway Bellhops ; Jack Wilson Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Columbia W152228 10-in. 6/27/1932 (Ev'rything is gonna be) O.K. America Art Kassel ; "Kassels-in-the-Air" Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal ensemble songwriter  
Columbia W152430 10-in. 7/5/1933 Moonstruck Irene Collins ; Fran Frey and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia W152433 10-in. 7/5/1933 Learn to croon Fran Frey and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia W152539 10-in. 10/27/1933 Puddin' Head Jones Fran Frey and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia W152540 10-in. 10/27/1933 Build a little home Ben Selvin and his Orchestra ; Irene Collins ; Fran Frey Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia W152542 10-in. 10/27/1933 Sittin' on a log (Pettin' my dog) Fran Frey and his Orchestra [Selvin's Orchestra] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Columbia W152549 10-in. 11/14/1933 Let's begin Irene Collins ; Emil Coleman and his Riviera Orchestra ; Fran Frey Jazz/dance band, with female-male vocal duet vocalist, baritone vocal  
OKeh 80054 10-in. 6/3/1926 You need someone to love Melody Sheiks Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Brunswick 13692-13694 10-in. 8/7/1924 Never gettin’ no place blues Dixie Stars Male vocal duet, with orchestra composer  
Brunswick E37465 10-in. 12/16/1931 Crosby, Colombo and Vallee Victor Young Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Brunswick E37466 10-in. 12/16/1931 (Potatoes are cheaper, tomatoes are cheaper) Now’s the time to fall in love Victor Young Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo vocalist, baritone vocal  
Brunswick E3301-E3303 10-in. 6/26/1926 You need someone to love Windsor Hotel Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal trio songwriter  
Brunswick E3779-E3780 10-in. 9/16/1926 She’s a corn-fed Indiana girl Bessie Coldiron Female vocal solo, with piano songwriter  
Edison 11035 10-in. 6/9/1926 She's a corn-fed Indiana girl (But she's Mama to me) Tom Howard ; Jazz Babies Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  
Edison 11173 10-in. 8/31/1926 You need someone to love Arthur Fields ; Golden Gate Orchestra [California Ramblers] Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo songwriter  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Frey, Fran," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/100917.

Frey, Fran. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/100917.

"Frey, Fran." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 21 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/100917

External Sources

Wikipedia: Fran Frey

Discogs: Fran Frey

Allmusic: Fran Frey

IMDb: Fran Frey

Linked Open Data Sources

LCNAR: Frey, Fran - http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2004152000

Wikidata: Fran Frey - http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q1440698

VIAF: http://viaf.org/viaf/120145304391978571917

MusicBrainz: Fran Frey - https://musicbrainz.org/artist/8622408e-1e1b-44d3-89f6-31ac471ea4f6

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

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