Born in Joplin, Missouri, he left for Chicago in 1901 and moved on to New York City around 1907 to work as a Tin Pan Alley composer, but his music retains a Missouri folk flavor.
He was born in Joplin, Missouri. He left for Chicago in 1901. He moved on to New York City around 1907. This was to work as a Tin Pan Alley composer. His music retains a Missouri folk flavor.