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Dick McDonough

Richard Tobin McDonough (July 30, 1904 – May 25, 1938) was an American jazz guitarist and banjoist. Perhaps best remembered for his duets with fellow guitarist Carl Kress, McDonough appeared on numerous record sessions and radio broadcasts throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

McDonough began playing banjo and mandolin in high school. An athlete, he initially played left-handed because, according to McDonough, that was how he held his hockey stick. At Georgetown University, he performed professionally at weekend dances and two years later started a band. He attended Columbia Law School after college and while there played with bands in New York City. McDonough played with Red Nichols in 1927 as a banjoist, and soon after played with Paul Whiteman. He began studying the guitar and eventually was in demand for session work, recording with The Dorsey Brothers, Red Nichols, and Miff Mole. In the 1930s, he performed in a duo with jazz guitarist Carl Kress and cut several sessions with an orchestra under his own name, in addition to backing many other recording artists.

Other credits include session work with Mildred Bailey, Smith Ballew, The Boswell Sisters, Rube Bloom, Chick Bullock, The Charleston Chasers, Cliff Edwards, Gene Gifford, Benny Goodman, Adelaide Hall, Annette Hanshaw, Billie Holiday, Baby Rose Marie, Glenn Miller, Irving Mills, Red McKenzie, Johnny Mercer, Red Norvo, Fred Rich, Adrian Rollini, Pee Wee Russell, Ben Selvin, Artie Shaw, Frank Signorelli, Jack Teagarden, Claude Thornhill, Frankie Trumbauer, Joe Venuti, Don Voorhees, and Ethel Waters. He played in the Jam Session at Victor with Fats Waller, Bunny Berigan, and George Wettling.

McDonough struggled with alcohol abuse during his adult life and died, aged 34, of pneumonia in May 1938 at the LeRoy Sanitarium after an operation. He was survived by his widow, Dorothy Wiggman.

Birth and Death Data: Born July 30, 1904 (New York City), Died May 25, 1938 (New York City)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1927 - 1955

Roles Represented in DAHR: guitar, banjo, songwriter, leader

= 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 BS-78262 10-in. 10/20/1933 Not for all the rice in China Roy Bargy ; Ramona Piano duet, with female vocal solo and instrumental trio instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-78264 10-in. 10/20/1933 I found a new way to go to town Roy Bargy ; Ramona Piano duet, with female vocal solo and instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-78265 10-in. 10/20/1933 I'm no angel Roy Bargy ; Ramona Piano duet, with female vocal solo and instrumental ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-89794 10-in. 5/13/1935 Nothin' but the blues Gene Gifford Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-89795 10-in. 5/13/1935 New Orleans twist Gene Gifford Orchestra Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-89796 10-in. 5/13/1935 Squareface Gene Gifford Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with talk instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-89797 10-in. 5/13/1935 Dizzy glide Gene Gifford Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with vocal instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-03032 10-in. 11/10/1936 An apple a day Barry McKinley ; Ruby Newman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-03033 10-in. 11/10/1936 One never knows—does one? Barry McKinley ; Ruby Newman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-03034 10-in. 11/10/1936 Down in the depths Florence Case ; Ruby Newman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-03035 10-in. 11/10/1936 What a dummy love has made of me Florence Case ; Ruby Newman Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-06581 10-in. 3/31/1937 A jam session at Victor (Honeysuckle rose) Bunny Berigan ; Tommy Dorsey ; Dick McDonough ; Fats Waller ; George Wettling Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-06582 10-in. 3/31/1937 A jam session at Victor (Blues-fox trot) Bunny Berigan ; Tommy Dorsey ; Dick McDonough ; Fats Waller ; George Wettling Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-07785 10-in. 4/13/1937 Carelessly Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and mixed vocal ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-07786 10-in. 4/13/1937 There's a lull in my life Kay Thompson Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-07787 10-in. 4/13/1937 It had to be you Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and female vocal ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-07788 10-in. 4/13/1937 Exactly like you Kay Thompson Orchestra ; Rhythm Singers Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo and male vocal ensemble instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011080 10-in. 7/9/1937 Caravan Southern Rhythm Kings Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011081 10-in. 7/9/1937 So many memories Musical Musketeers ; Jimmy Ray Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011082 10-in. 7/9/1937 The song of the Marines (We're shovin' right off again) Musical Musketeers ; Jimmy Ray Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011083 10-in. 7/9/1937 Josephine Southern Rhythm Kings Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011084 10-in. 7/9/1937 My cabin of dreams Musical Musketeers ; Jimmy Ray Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011085 10-in. 7/9/1937 The dream in my heart Musical Musketeers ; Jimmy Ray Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011086 10-in. 7/9/1937 Shame on you Jimmy Ray Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011087 10-in. 7/9/1937 Sticks and stones (Will break my heart) Jimmy Ray Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011088 10-in. 7/9/1937 So rare Jimmy Ray Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Victor BS-011089 10-in. 7/9/1937 You're my desire Jimmy Ray Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W150730 10-in. 8/25/1930 I like a little girl like that Sunshine Boys Male vocal duet, with cornet and guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W150731 10-in. 8/25/1930 It seems to be spring Sunshine Boys Male vocal duet, with cornet and guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W152568 10-in. 11/27/1933 Your mother's son-in-law Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Billie Holiday ; Buck Washington Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W152575 10-in. 12/4/1933 Riffin' the Scotch Benny Goodman Orchestra Jazz/dance band songwriter  
Columbia W152650 10-in. 12/18/1933 Riffin' the scotch Benny Goodman Orchestra ; Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo songwriter, instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W265146 10-in. 10/2/1933 Sweet Lorraine Joe Venuti's Blue Six instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W265147 10-in. 10/2/1933 Doin' the uptown lowdown Joe Venuti's Blue Six instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W265148 10-in. 10/2/1933 Jazz me blues Joe Venuti's Blue Six instrumentalist, guitar  
Columbia W265149 10-in. 10/2/1933 In de ruff Joe Venuti's Blue Six instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh W80338 10-in. 1/26/1927 Alexander's ragtime band Miff Mole's Molers Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar, banjo  
OKeh W80339 10-in. 1/26/1927 Some sweet day Miff Mole's Molers Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh W80340 10-in. 1/26/1927 Hurricane Miff Mole's Molers Jazz/dance quartet instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh W80501 10-in. 3/7/1927 Davenport blues Miff Mole's Molers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh W80502 10-in. 3/7/1927 Darktown Strutters' Ball Miff Mole's Molers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh W80503 10-in. 3/7/1927 A hot time in the old town Miff Mole's Molers Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh W81297 10-in. 8/30/1927 Feelin' no pain Little Molers ; Miff Mole Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh W81413 10-in. 9/1/1927 My gal Sal Little Molers ; Miff Mole Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh W81414 10-in. 9/1/1927 Honolulu blues Little Molers ; Miff Mole Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh W81415 10-in. 9/1/1927 The new twister Little Molers ; Miff Mole Jazz/dance band instrumentalist, banjo  
OKeh W401711 10-in. 3/13/1929 Broadway Rose Dick McDonough Orchestra Jazz/dance band, with male vocal solo leader  
OKeh W403227 10-in. 11/4/1929 Same old moon (Same old June, but not the same old you) Virginia Willrich and her Texas Rangers Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
OKeh W403228 10-in. 11/4/1929 Through (How can you say we're through?) Virginia Willrich and her Texas Rangers Jazz/dance quintet instrumentalist, guitar  
Brunswick E36117 10-in. 2/20/1931 When I take my sugar to tea Sunshine Boys Male vocal duet, with trombone and guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Brunswick E36468 10-in. 4/14/1931 Mary Jane The Melotone Boys Male vocal duet, with trombone and guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Brunswick E36469 10-in. 4/14/1931 Boy! Oh! Boy! Oh! Boy! I've got it bad The Melotone Boys Male vocal duet, with trombone and guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Edison 18697 10-in. 8/31/1928 Hallelujah, I'm a bum Bob Pierce Male vocal solo, with guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Edison 18698 10-in. 8/31/1928 The bum song Bob Pierce Male vocal solo, with guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Edison N-403 12-in. 8/31/1928 Hallelujah! I'm a bum Bob Pierce Male vocal solo, with guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Edison N-404 12-in. 8/31/1928 The bum song Bob Pierce Male vocal solo, with guitar instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19535 10-in. 7/10/1936 Did I remember? Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19536 10-in. 7/10/1936 No regrets Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19537 10-in. 7/10/1936 Summertime Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19538 10-in. 7/10/1936 Billie's blues (I love my man) Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19971 10-in. 9/29/1936 A fine romance Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19972 10-in. 9/29/1936 I can't pretend Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19973 10-in. 9/29/1936 One, two, button your shoe Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Vocalion 19974 10-in. 9/29/1936 Let's call a heart a heart Billie Holiday Jazz/dance band, with female vocal solo instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38301 10-in. 8/14/1934 Heat wave The Dorsey Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38302 10-in. 8/14/1934 By heck The Dorsey Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38303 10-in. 8/15/1934 Stop, look and listen The Dorsey Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38304 10-in. 8/15/1934 I'm gettin' sentimental over you The Dorsey Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38307 10-in. 8/15/1934 Long may we love The Dorsey Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38308 10-in. 8/15/1934 Annie's Cousin Fanny The Dorsey Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38309 10-in. 8/15/1934 Dr. Heckle and Mr. Jibe The Dorsey Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38417 10-in. 8/24/1934 Lord, I give you my children Johnny Mercer instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38418 10-in. 8/24/1934 If I could only read your mind Johnny Mercer instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 38419 10-in. 8/24/1934 The bathtub ran over again Johnny Mercer instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 39696 10-in. 7/11/1935 Let's swing it Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 39697 10-in. 7/11/1935 You're so darn charming Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 39698 10-in. 7/11/1935 My very good friend the milkman Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 39699 10-in. 7/11/1935 Double trouble Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60194 10-in. 12/4/1935 When a great love comes along Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60195 10-in. 12/4/1935 Yankee Doodle never went to Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60196 10-in. 12/4/1935 No other one Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60197 10-in. 12/4/1935 A little bit independent Babs and her Brothers instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60302 10-in. 1/6/1936 I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter Boswell Sisters instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60303 10-in. 1/6/1936 The music goes 'round and around Boswell Sisters instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60463 10-in. 2/12/1936 Let yourself go Boswell Sisters instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 60464 10-in. 2/12/1936 I'm putting all my eggs in one basket Boswell Sisters instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62058 10-in. 3/22/1937 Peg o' my heart Glenn Miller Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62059 10-in. 3/22/1937 Wistful and blue Glenn Miller Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62060 10-in. 3/22/1937 How am I to know? Glenn Miller Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62061 10-in. 3/22/1937 Anytime, anyday, anywhere Glenn Miller Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62062 10-in. 3/22/1937 Moonlight Bay Glenn Miller Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca 62063 10-in. 3/22/1937 I'm sittin' on top of the world Glenn Miller Orchestra instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8386 5/6/1955 What can I say after I say I'm sorry Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8387 5/6/1955 I'm gonna meet my sweetie now Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8388 5/6/1955 Oh didn't he ramble Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8389 5/6/1955 Sugar (That sugar baby of mine) Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8390 5/6/1955 Somebody loves me Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8398 5/10/1955 I never knew Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8399 5/10/1955 Bye bye blackbird Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8400 5/10/1955 He needs me Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  
Decca L 8401 5/10/1955 Sing a rainbow Peggy Lee instrumentalist, guitar  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "McDonough, Dick," accessed November 21, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103520.

McDonough, Dick. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103520.

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

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/103520

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