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Home , Johnny Mercer, Moon River

Celebrating Mercer Near the

By Lesley Francis

Even the aftermath of hurricane Matthew can’t stop the resi- dents of Skidaway Island from a great party at the Plantation Club – especially when that party celebrates the life and music of John- ny Mercer. The second annual “birthday party” takes place on the evening of Friday, November 18, which would have been Mercer’s 107th birthday (he died in 1976).

The evening – “Hooray for Hollywood” (after Mercer’s 1938 hit song) – will feature a glamorous, Hollywood ‘30s art deco theme, and attendees are encouraged to dress ele- gantly. Plans for the evening include dinner, dancing, en- tertainment, a 50/50 raffle and a member/cash bar. Kim Michael Polote, winner of the 2001 American Tradi- tions Vocal Competition (ATVC) Gold Medal, 2006 Gold Medal winner and ATVC Artistic Consultant Vale Rideout, and 2014 Gold Medal winner Mik- ki Sodergren will delight attendees by perform- ing some of Mercer’s classics.

Mercer resonates with many of us who reside on Skidaway Island, so close to the Moon River which inspired him to write one of his most famous songs. Mercer wrote “Moon River” (mu- sic by ) in 1961 for the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” winning his third Academy Award. Aside from this obvious connection, many of Mercer’s songs and lyrics

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1422 Skinnie.indd 8 10/31/16 8:57 AM speak to the Southern way of life, its geography, nature, climate and man- bankruptcy, his father dedicated the rest of his life to paying off that debt, ners. He peppered his songs with mockingbirds and meadowlarks, de- and suddenly young John Mercer, no longer able to attend college, was scribing opossums and singing crickets. During his 50-year on his way to New York City, hoping to make good as an actor. As we career, the legendary lyricist, songwriter and often cited Georgia now know, this was not his destiny. After beginning his career as a lyri- as his source for artistic inspiration. Mercer’s work helped put the Peach cist, he ended up in Hollywood writing songs for the movies, lyrics for State on the “musical map,” setting the scene for his native city of Savan- musicals, and hosting his own radio show before founding the extremely nah to become a hub of cultural and musical entertainment. successful in 1942.

The genius of Mercer’s lyrics ensures that his work still speaks to us to- Within four years, Capitol was responsible for almost 20 percent of day – particularly to those of us beguiled by Savannah’s Southern charms all records sold in the U.S. As well as writing hit songs for four decades and way of life. Anyone who has enjoyed a refreshing beverage at the end – from the ‘30s through the ‘60s – Mercer was the founding president of of a hot summer day in Georgia cannot help to relate to Mercer’s “In The the . Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening.” He often returned to Georgia, and in later life purchased a house near The lyricist was born John Herndon Mercer on November 18, 1909, Vernon View on Burnside Island as his Savannah retreat. Mercer’s father into an old Southern family. His father was a wealthy attorney with a had died in 1940, having paid off $700,000 of the million he owed. In flourishing real estate business, and Johnny’s well-connected family led to 1955, Mercer sold his share in Capitol records and surprised his father’s an excellent education and access to many of the cultural institutions in creditors by using $300,000 of the proceeds to pay off the remainder of the city. He was a choirboy at Christ Church and a student at Chatham the debt. Academy, and his teenage years exposed him to influences that remained with him throughout his life. The American Traditions Vocal Competition (ATVC), is deeply con- nected to and offers a special award presented by the At the DeSoto Hotel and Barbee’s Pavilion on Isle of Hope, Mercer Friends of Johnny Mercer, Inc. and Armstrong State University. The con- danced the Charleston while drinking bootleg liquor with older brothers testant who is judged to give the best performance of a Johnny Mercer and cousins. On Tybee Island, he played the ukulele and sang at Savan- song in the quarter- or semifinals wins the honor and a cash prize of nah’s Little Theater. $750.

Johnny was 17 when his father’s business collapsed, along with the end Turning back to the November 18 party at the Plantation Club, the of the Florida real estate boom, and he found himself a million dollars in three ATVC Gold Medal winners shared some of their memories of the debt (the equivalent of around $13 million today). Rather than declare inaugural Mercer birthday bash in 2015 and what Johnny Mercer’s music

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1422 Skinnie.indd 9 10/31/16 8:57 AM The American Traditions Vocal Competition proudly presents the sec- ond annual Johnny Mercer Birthday Bash, “Hooray for Hollywood” on Friday, November 18, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the Landings Plantation Club. Space is limited, and last year’s Birthday Bash sold out, so anyone interested in attending is urged to reserve a space soon. Tickets are $85 per person. To purchase tickets, please con- tact Maddie Harwood at 912.508.1133 or maddie@cemamerica. com. Proceeds from the evening will benefit the American Traditions Vocal Competition. The ATVC’s next season runs from Feb. 20-24, 2017. Please visit www.americantraditionscompetition.com for more information.

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1422 Skinnie.indd 10 10/31/16 8:57 AM means to them. prolific and successful songwriters in the 20th century. Tourists not only embrace but cele- Vale Rideout: “Last year’s Johnny Mercer brate this native son! Yes...he is a great celebration was one of my favorite events of the attraction! My trio and I have been performing ATC – outside the competition itself. Celebrat- a “Jumping with Johnny Show” for the past ing Johnny Mercer with as passionate a crowd 11 years. My favorite songs are “Skylark” and as we had last year was so very exciting. The “Moon River.” I sang “Skylark” for my friend audience was in a dancing and singing mood - and Johnny Mercer’s niece, Nancy Mercer and we were there in a way that Johnny would Gerard, at her Bonaventure gravesite farewell have loved: a jubilant celebration of American service. “Skylark” is on her tombstone. As a music and everything that is great about it! native daughter of Savannah, it is my joy to be Johnny Mercer was a man who expressed our a part of keeping the legacy of Johnny’s mu- humanity in a true American Way. He sic very much in the main stream. I enjoyed was a man of ALL the people through his music last year’s celebration for Johnny very much, and life. Savannah should always celebrate his and working with Mikki and Vale was fun. I’m music. My favorite Johnny Mercer song is due looking forward to sharing more about Johnny to the birth of my baby girl. Every night that Mercer’s family history as well as Johnny Mer- I get to put her to bed, I sing ‘Hit The Road cer the man, in addition to his music at this to Dreamland’ for her - and ever since she has year’s event. been able to talk, she will still ask for daddy to sing, ‘Bye, Bye, Baby.’ I simply love singing Mikki Sodergren: “Last year’s Johnny Mer- that fabulous Mercer song for her as she goes to cer birthday celebration was full of happy fac- sleep. It is the most important moment of my es. I love seeing how music can bring people singing every day.” together for a common cause, and what better cause than to celebrate Savannah’s own great Kim Michael Polote: “I think Johnny Mer- lyricist Johnny Mercer? I chose “Skylark” when cer and his music are very important to Savan- I entered the ATVC and I really love this song nah because he’s the man behind the music because it talks about wanting to be somewhere that the greatest generation grew up to, went that you are not, seeking someone who is out of off to war to, and returned home to! Writing your grasp. My favorite Johnny Mercer song is more than 1,700 songs, he was one of the most “Moon River.” I know this sounds cliché, but

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1422 Skinnie.indd 11 10/31/16 8:57 AM As one of the founders of Capitol Records, Johnny managed to pay off much of the debt incurred when his father’s business collapsed in the 1920s. it’s true. Firstly, Henry Mancini wrote a gor- I think Mercer is important to Savannah be- geous melody that is very simple. The simplic- cause he was able to take his unique cultural ity of this matches Johnny’s elegant yet tangible experiences of the Southern way of life and lyrics, which leads to a great song. Secondly, make them universal through song lyrics. His this song has become like a sensory memory music is important because it’s a time capsule to to me. All of the memories from years of per- the golden age of American music; it’s honest, formances in Savannah are wrapped up in this accessible, and continues to bring joy to people. song, and imbued into it. Whenever I sing this S anywhere else, I am filled with those memories.

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