Tom Lemonier (March 29, 1870 — March 14, 1945)[1] was an actor and composer of popular music during the ragtime era, particularly active in Black Vaudeville.[2][3][4] His work featured in various musicals.[5] Some of his work was published by the Gotham-Attucks Music Publishing Company.[6]
Numerous recordings of his songs were made including on Victor Records and Columbia Records.[3] In 1909 he joined the staff of music publisher Rose & Snyder.[7]
Lemonier became one of the first African-American actors to perform in a Caucasian play when in 1910 he was hired to play a steward in William A. Brady's production of Over Night.[8] Previously these characters had been performed in blackface.[8] Lemonier's abilities and the positive reception he received convinced Brady to hire additional African-American actors for the role in touring versions of the show.[8]
Playbill notes him as a performer in the 1912 musical Little Miss Brown.[9] In addition to the original production, he was part of a national tour of this show.[10] In 1915 Lemonier wrote the anthem, entitled Praise God We Are Not Weary, for the National Half Century Exposition and Lincoln Jubilee.[11]
Lemonier collaborated with various other musicians and lyricists to produce compositions.[12] In 1917, Lemonier established a sheet music business with Lew Payton and Tom Brown.[13] He appeared on radio station WGY in 1923 as a whistler.[14] In 1926 he was concentrating entirely on sacred music.[15]
Lemonier opined that Civil rights should be acquired over a period of time, and that forcing the issue would generate hatred instead of progress.[15]