2014.051

Karnoutsos, Dr. Carmela

Gift

Gift of Dr. Carmela Karnoutsos

1961 - 1963

Date: 1961-1963

Notes: Red Mascara (born 1923). The Chordblenders were a barbershop quartet that performed from 1946-1966. The members were: Baritone - Al Yost; Tenor - Hal Stocker; Bass - Dee Young; Lead - Jerry Batt. Parke Theodore Frankenfield (1929-2004) was leader of the Parke Frankenfield Band and the Dixieland All-Stars, he held his annual Dixieland Jazz Fest at Kline's Grove, Bath, PA. In 1985, he was a performer at the Inaugural Gala in Washington, D.C., for former President Ronald Reagan. He was also a music store owner. ==== ==== http://articles.philly.com/2014-09-03/news/53484681_1_red-mascara-official-state-song-brill-building A long drive for the N.J. song. [photo caption] Red Mascara, 92, with his music sheet. He has campaigned for 54 years to have his song made the official state song. (AKIRA SUWA / Staff) He has worked for years to get it OKd. A new film may help. By Kevin Riordan, Inquirer Columnist Posted: September 03, 2014 After Red Mascara, 92, wrote "I'm From New Jersey" in 1960, he started campaigning for it to become the official state song. After 54 years, the effort "needs a spark," says Red, who was born Joseph Rocco Mascari in Phillipsburg, Warren County, where he still lives. "Maybe this is the spark." "This" is an almost-finished documentary by Daniel Goodman. His film also is called I'm From New Jersey, and its hero is a gentlemanly, self-taught tunesmith who refuses to give up. I'm from New Jersey / and I'm proud about it / I love the Garden State "I realized that his song really is all about what I was trying to talk about in my film," says Goodman, 30, who's raised $48,000 for the project through the Kickstarter online funding platform. Goodman grew up in Teaneck, Bergen County. He's inspired by the power of his state's pugnacious image - and by Red's homespun, seemingly quixotic quest. New Jersey's would-be anthem has had to fight for respect, just like the state it celebrates. I'm from New Jersey / and I want to shout it / I think it's simply great Red got part of his nickname - which sounds like it might belong to a RuPaul Drag Race contestant - because "I used to have red hair." Later, a secretary in the Brill Building, that legendary locus of midcentury Manhattan song publishing, wrote "Mascara" instead of "Mascari" when she took down his name. Thus was born a moniker that comes in handy when Red drives to Trenton to lobby lawmakers. "You've got to give the guy credit for perseverance," says state Sen. Richard Codey (D., Essex). "I've been [in Trenton] 41 years. He was here when I got here." A retired chemical factory worker and great-grandfather of two, Red regularly makes the rounds of the Statehouse, giving out CD copies of the song, receiving smiles of support that don't amount to much. Legislation making the song official did reach Gov. William Cahill's desk in 1972, but he declined to sign it into law. "I'm actually helping" Red's campaign, says Goodman. "This is an activist documentary." I meet the two collaborators at Red's apartment, where the piano in the living room displays sheet music for "I'm From New Jersey." Frank Sinatra - Red's idol - is on the cover; a company owned by the singer published the song. Red arranged to get it recorded by the Chordblenders in 1961 with the help of a $2,000 loan from his father. A variety of versions, some with lyrics customized for the state's cities (Camden included), are available on njstatesong.com, his website, for free. "I've never made a dime from the song," Red says. All of the other states throughout the nation / may mean a lot to some Imagine a marching band song sung by a glee club. That's "I'm From New Jersey," which was retro when it was first recorded. "It does sound a little bit old. But I really like it," says Christopher Matera, 16. He's among the students in Lauren Schreiner's Delran High School English class who since 2012 have gotten behind "I'm From New Jersey" in a big way - and whose efforts are included in the film's trailer (imfromnewjersey.com). Delran students wrote letters to legislators, and last spring, they hand-delivered petitions signed by more than 500 people supporting the song to Gov. Christie's office. "The kids have put their heart and souls into it," says Schreiner, a veteran teacher who lives in Mount Laurel. Red hopes Goodman's project will put him over the top. He feels great, and has no plans to quit. "When you have a dream and a goal, you don't give up. It sounds cliched, but Red is the living embodiment of that to me," Goodman says. Prospects of state anthemhood for "I"m From New Jersey" remain uncertain, however. "I can't wave a wand and say, 'This is the song.' I can't guarantee this will get done," Codey says. "But I sure hope and pray it can, for his sake. Because the spirit and class he's shown is a tribute to him. And to our state." But I wouldn't want another / Jersey is like no other / I'm glad that's where I'm from. kriordan@phillynews.com 856-779-3845 @inqkriordan www.inquirer.com/blinq ==== ==== SENATE, No. 584 STATE OF NEW JERSEY 216th LEGISLATURE PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION Sponsored by: Senator RICHARD J. CODEY District 27 (Essex and Morris) Senator MICHAEL J. DOHERTY District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren) Co-Sponsored by: Senators Allen, A.R.Bucco, Gill, Kyrillos, Lesniak, Madden, Rice, Sacco, Singer, B.Smith, Sarlo, Scutari, Sweeney, Turner, Vitale, Bateman, Beck, Connors, Cunningham, Gordon, Ruiz, Stack, Van Drew, Whelan, O'Toole, Beach, Greenstein, Holzapfel, Pou, Thompson, Weinberg and P.Barnes, III SYNOPSIS Designates "I'm From New Jersey" as State song. CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel An Act designating "I'm From New Jersey" as the State song. Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey: 1. The State song shall be the words and music of the song entitled "I'm From New Jersey," composed by Joseph Rocco Mascari, professionally known as Red Mascara. 2. This act shall take effect immediately. STATEMENT "I'm From New Jersey" is a State song, written, published, recorded and produced especially for and dedicated to the State of New Jersey. It is a State song which is also adaptable for local use to any municipality having a name containing two or three syllables. Words and music are by Red Mascara, of Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Published by Sands Music Corp., 10153½ Riverside Drive #107, Toluca Lake, Cal. 91602, ASCAP, recorded on Anniversary Records by the Chordblenders with the Parke Frankenfield Orchestra. Commercially arranged by John Warrington. Licensed by the American Federation of Musicians of the U.S. and Canada. Red Mascara has been the recipient of an ASCAPLUS Award in each year from 1999 to 2001. "I'm From New Jersey" was written in the year 1960, and since then has been brought directly to the people of New Jersey for their approval and support. The following are some of the known accomplishments the song has to its credit as a result of the people's reaction. "I'm From New Jersey" was first used as the official song for the Phillipsburg, N.J. Centennial Celebration in the spring of 1961. It was the official song for the Alpha, N.J. and Milford, N.J. Golden Jubilee Celebrations in the summer of 1961. It was the official song for the Dunellen, N.J. Diamond Jubilee, and West Orange, N.J. Centennial Celebrations in 1962. An adapted version was also used as the official song for the Allentown, Pa. Bicentennial Celebration in the spring of 1962. It was the introductory theme song on the Perry Como TV Show in his salute to the State of New Jersey on January 3, 1962. It was the featured song in the South Amboy, N.J. Knights of Columbus Minstrel show on March 3, 1962. In 1963, "I'm From New Jersey" was selected to be the official song for the Lopatcong, N.J. Centennial; Livingston, Sesquicentennial; Hillside, Golden Jubilee; Franklin, Golden Jubilee. In connection with the 1964 New Jersey State Tercentenary Celebration, "I'm From New Jersey" was adopted by the Warren County Tercentenary Committee as the official song for Warren County during the celebration and was endorsed as the official State Song for New Jersey. It was also endorsed by the Union County Tercentenary Committee, Rutherford Tercentenary Committee, Hunterdon County Tercentenary Committee and was the featured song of many of the musical units for New Jersey which performed at the 1964 World's Fair. "I'm From New Jersey" was also the theme song for the New Jersey State Republican Delegation to the Republican National Convention in 1964 and 1972. In 1965, it was the official march song for the Morristown 250th Anniversary. In 1966, it was the official song for the Miss N.J. World Beauty Pageant held in Long Branch, N.J. In 1968, it was the theme song of the Franklin High School Band of Somerset, N.J. when it represented N.J. at the National Jaycee Convention in Arizona. It was also the theme song of the Oakcrest Regional High School Band of Mays Landing, N.J. when it represented N.J. in the Festival of States in St. Petersburg, Florida. "I'm From New Jersey" passed the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey in 1966, 1968, 1971 and 1980. In 1972 and 1979, it passed the Senate and General Assembly. In 1982, it passed the Senate. In 1979, a bill designated "I'm From New Jersey" as the official State song passed both houses of the New Jersey State Jaycees Model Legislature. "I'm From New Jersey" was also the theme song for the 1979 Miss New Jersey Teen U.S.A., Valerie DePena, of Cherry Hill, N.J. in her campaign to become Miss Teen U.S.A. In 1980, "I'm From New Jersey" was featured on the David Letterman show. "I'm From New Jersey" was also featured on the "Uncle Floyd TV Show" on New Jersey Television. In 1988, "I'm From New Jersey" was the official song for the Livingston, N.J. 175th Anniversary. In 1989, "I'm From New Jersey" was featured on "The Osgood File" segment of the CBS-TV "This Morning Show." The State version and adapted versions of "I'm From New Jersey" have been included in the school, youth and musical programs of many municipalities throughout the State, in addition to the song being adopted as the theme for many musical units in New Jersey. A number of municipalities have also adopted "I'm From New Jersey" as their official municipal song. To date, "I'm From New Jersey" has been adopted or endorsed by the following municipalities and organizations, which represent millions of New Jerseyans. Municipalities 1. Phillipsburg, N.J. 25. Wildwood Crest, N.J. 2. Alpha, N.J. 26. Roselle, N.J. 3. Milford, N.J. 27. Jersey City, N.J. 4. Washington, N.J. 28. Millville, N.J. 5. Hackettstown, N.J. 29. Newton, N.J. 6. Belvidere, N.J. 30. Wildwood, N.J. 7. Flemington, N.J 31. Franklin, N.J. 8. Netcong, N.J. 32. Newark, N.J. 9. Lambertville, N.J. 33. Middlesex, N.J. 10. Lopatcong, N.J. 34. Cliffside Park, N.J. 11. South Amboy, N.J. 35. Bernardsville, N.J. 12. Secaucus, N.J. 36. Vineland, N.J. 13. Dunellen, N.J. 37. Rutherford, N.J. 14. West Orange, N.J. 38. Asbury Park, N.J. 15. South Brunswick, N.J. 39. Hopatcong, N.J. 16. Union, N.J. 40. Atlantic City, N.J. 17. Springfield, N.J. 41. Mansfield, N.J. 18. Livingston, N.J. 42. Bayonne, N.J. 19. Irvington, N.J. 43. Woodbridge, N.J. 20. New Brunswick, N.J. 44. Morristown, N.J. 21. North Wildwood, N.J. 45. West Wildwood, N.J. 22. Hoboken, N.J. 46. Longport, N.J. 23. Hillside, N.J. 47. Old Bridge Twp., N.J. 24. Union City, N.J. Organizations *1. N.J. State Association of Chiefs of Police (Statewide) *2. N.J. State Patrolmen's Benevolent Association (Statewide) 3. Warren County American Legion *4. New Jersey State Exchange Clubs (Statewide) 5. Phillipsburg Exchange Club 6. Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 395 *7. N.J. State Exempt Firemen's Association (Statewide) 8. Musicians Protective Union Local 379, covering Warren and part of Hunterdon counties 9. Phillipsburg Lions Club 10. Fraternal Order of Eagles, Aerie No. 1372 *11. N.J. State Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles (Statewide) 12. Phillipsburg Junior Chamber of Commerce *13. N.J. Department of Sertoma International (Statewide) 14. Loyal Order of Moose, Lodge No. 512 *15. N.J. State Moose Association, L.L.O.M. (Statewide) 16. Rotary Club of Phillipsburg 17. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4949 18. Warren Council 474 Knights of Columbus 19. Warren County Chapter U.N.I.C.O. 20. Warren County Young Democrats 21. Warren County Women's Republican Club *22. Municipal Clerks Association of N.J. Inc. (Statewide) 23. Phillipsburg Area Chamber of Commerce 24. South Amboy Knights of Columbus Council No. 426 *25. N.J. State Volunteer Firemen's Association (Statewide) 26. League of Women Voters of Phillipsburg 27. Mary T. Norton Democratic Club 28. Phillipsburg Area Republican Council 29. Warren County League of Municipalities 30. Patrolmen's Benevolent Association No. 56 *31. N.J. State Association of Power Engineers (Statewide) 32. N.J. State Association of Power Engineers No. 9 33. Forest No. 14 Tall Cedars of Lebanon *34. Disabled American Vets Inc. Department of N.J.(Statewide) *35. N.J. Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars (Statewide) *36. N.J. State Council Sons & Daughters of Liberty (Statewide) *37. D.A.V. Auxiliary Inc. Department of N.J. (Statewide) 38. Warren County American Legion Auxiliary 39. Dr. Charles Lyon Memorial Chapter No. 48 D.A.V. 40. District No. 20 Veterans of Foreign Wars 41. Bernard J. Donovan American Legion Post No. 203 42. Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 5193 43. Lyon Memorial Chapter No. 48 D.A.V. Auxiliary 44. Local 746, American Federation of Musicians, covering part of Middlesex, Somerset and Union counties *45. N.J. State Firemen's Mutual Benevolent Association (Statewide) *46. American Legion, Department of New Jersey (Statewide) 47. Washington Barracks No. 31, Veterans of World War I 48. Washington Barracks No. 31, Auxiliary, Veterans of World War I 49. Hunterdon County Board of Chosen Freeholders 50. New Jersey Club of Clearwater, Florida (An organization consisting of former New Jerseyans now living in retirement in the Clearwater, Florida area) 51. Young Republicans of Warren County *52. Young Republicans of New Jersey Inc. (Statewide) *53. New Jersey Conference of Mayors (Statewide) *Statewide endorsements I'M FROM NEW JERSEY I'm From New Jersey and I'm proud about it, I love the Garden State; I'm From New Jersey and I want to shout it, I think it's simply great. All of the other States throughout the nation, May mean a lot to some; But I wouldn't want another, Jersey is like no other, I'm glad that's where I'm from. Status: OK Status By: dw Status Date: 2014-09-08