James Alexander Brennan


James Alexander Brennan was an American songwriter. Sometimes identified as Jas. H. Brennan, he collaborated with lyricist Jack Caddigan on several songs published by Leo Feist and Oliver E. Story. One of his more popular songs was "Little Red School House" which he wrote with Al Wilson in 1922. It was originally sung by the American Quartet and also by The Happiness Boys, Billy Jones and Ernest Hare. Brenda Lee sang it twice on TV, once at the age of 10 with Red Foley and later at 16 with Perry Como.

Biography

He was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on November 18, 1885. He attended the Massachusetts Normal Art School. He was a camouflage artists for the U.S. Shipping Board during World War I.
He died on August 24, 1956, in Middleborough, Massachusetts.

Publications

The Dream I Had Last Night with Jack Caddigan and O.E. StoryIn The Golden Summertime with Jack Caddigan The Rose of No Man's Land; La rose sous les boulets with Jack Caddigan, Dreaming Sweet Dreams of MotherIf The Can Canny Cannibals Captured New York Town with Moore and O.E. StoryWhen It's Cotton Pickin' Time In Tennessee with Jack CaddiganThe Trail That Leads To You with Jack CaddiganWhen The Steamboats On The Swanee Whistle Rag-time with Jack CaddiganScrambled Eggs One-Step & Tango published by O.E. Story