Charley Casebr br "Experiences In The Show Business"br br Victor 16354br br March 18, 1909br br In this monologue he says he was born John Cass in Lockport, New York. But he is setting up a joke. He says he was forced to adopt a new name ("Case") because audiences had been changing John Cass to Jack Cass (the joke is that audiences were speaking of him as a "jackass"). br br If Charley Case is remembered at all, it is NOT for his talent or records or stage legacy. br br He is known as possibly a "black" man who passed for white.br br Whether he had African-American blood cannot be known. Even if descendants wish to undergo DNA tests, the issue could remain unclear. br br Was he partly black? That's why a few people today take an interest in Case.br br His recording career was brief--three monologues. They did not sell well.br br Charles M. Case was born on August 27, 1858. Case is was known for comic monologues and is not to be confused with Charley Chase of silent film fame.br br He was born in Lockport, New York, and lived there for years as an adult, raising a family (later he settled in Buffalo). The U.S. census for 1875 indicates that his father was Moses Case, a musician and lawyer.br br His mother was Catherine Martin, a native of Ireland. br br His parents divorced or separated. Charlie as a young man studied law in the offices of local attorneys. He opened his own law office above 75 Main St. br br In 1882, Case married Charlotte Bush, daughter of William Wirt Bush.br br He worked in vaudeville and performed in minstrel shows. He was not a headliner--he was second tier in show business, an opening act. If he had been a star performer, photos and drawings of the performer would be more plentiful.br br He arranged for a booklet of Case monologues to be published in 1903 in his hometown of Lockport.br br On vaudeville stages, Case delivered monologues such as "A Warning to Girls" and "A Warning to Boys," recorded in the late 1920s by Vernon Dalhart. These Dalhart discs--Harmony 729, Velvet Tone 1729, and Diva 2729--did not sell well and are among the most sought-after Dalhart performances due to rarity.br br Case made three recordings, all for Victor and all on March 18, 1909: "Father as a Scientist" (16328), "Experiences in the Show Business" (16354), and "How Mother Made the Soup" (5693; 16547). br br "How Mother Made The Soup" was the most popular--it is easiest to find on disc.br br One year after his Victor session, he sailed for England to perform there.br br Information about Case is on page 8 of The Manhattan Mercury (a Kansas newspaper) dated April 29, 1909, which was five weeks after his Victor session.