Ralph Spurlin Jr. (songwriter)

Ralph Spurlin Jr. was an American songwriter and lyricist. He is credited with Arthur Korb as co-writer of "The Prince of Players".^[1][2][3] The U.S. Copyright Office catalogs list nine Korb–Spurlin songs registered between 1954 and 1960, most of them crediting Spurlin with the words.^{[4][3][5][6][7][8]} Korb (1909–2003) was a Harvard-educated Boston songwriter whose songs included "Go On with the Wedding" and "Autumn Avenue".^[9]

"The Prince of Players"

The Copyright Office catalog for July–December 1957 lists "The Prince of Players", with words by Ralph Spurlin Jr. and words and music by Arthur Korb, registered by Plymouth Pub. Co. in October 1957. A new arrangement was registered by Edward B. Marks Music Corp. in January 1958.^[3][10] The earliest recording listed on Discogs is a January 1958 single by Tommy Frederick and the Hi-Notes on Carlton Records (Carlton 450-1). The A-side label wrongly credits the song to Korb and Brenton Dickson, so Discogs marks Spurlin's credit as uncredited.^[2] Hit Parader magazine printed the lyric in May 1958, credited to Korb and Spurlin, with an Edward B. Marks copyright.^[11]

Discogs also lists two British versions. Jimmy Lloyd, with Wally Stott and his orchestra and chorus, recorded it for Philips in 1958 as a 10-inch 78 rpm single. John E. Paul's version, arranged by Johnny Harris, was released by Decca in October 1967. Both labels credit Korb and Spurlin by name.^[12][13]

"The Iron Horse" and other songs

The Copyright Office's 1954 catalog of unpublished music lists "The Iron Horse", with words by Ralph Spurlin Jr. and words and music by Arthur Korb, registered on July 21, 1954.^[4] When Hit Parader printed the lyric in April 1956, it credited the song to Korb, Spurlin and Milt Yakus.^[14] Discogs lists a 1955 MGM single by the Four Horsemen (MGM K12159) with "Go On With The Wedding" on one side and "The Iron Horse" on the other. That listing puts Spurlin's name on "Go On With The Wedding" and credits "The Iron Horse" to Korb, Charlie Purvis and Yakus.^[1][15] The Wikipedia article on "Go On with the Wedding", a 1956 hit for Patti Page, credits it to Korb, Purvis and Yakus and does not mention Spurlin.^[16] Both the 1954 copyright registration and Hit Parader attach Spurlin's name to "The Iron Horse" rather than to "Go On with the Wedding".

Other Korb–Spurlin songs in the copyright catalogs are:

• "Black Diamond" (1956) and "Just a Friend" (1956).^[5]
• "The Gambler's Bouquet" (1956, registered by Piedmont Music Co.).^[5]
• "Hangover Heart" (1957).^[6]
• "Autumn Avenue" (1957; registered again by Piedmont Music Co. later that year, and registered by Piedmont as a published edition with piano accompaniment in December 1964).^[3][17]
• "I've Been Blessed" (1960, Newton Music Co.).^[7]
• "Lovers' Leap" (1960).^[8]

Spurlin also registered one song on his own, "Wolf Pack", in September 1952.^[18]

Copyright renewals

Copyrights from this period lasted 28 years unless they were renewed in the 28th year.^[19] The Copyright Office's online records show renewals for two of the Korb–Spurlin songs. "The Prince of Players" was renewed on July 22, 1985 (RE0000255147), and the 1958 edition with a new introduction, piano accompaniment and endings was renewed on February 10, 1986 (RE0000285586). Both records list the claimants as Ralph Spurlin Jr. and Arthur Korb, marked "(A)".^[20][21] In renewal records that code marks an author. The renewal right went to the author if living, and to a widow or widower, children, executor or next of kin only if the author had died.^[19] The two renewals therefore suggest that Spurlin was still alive in 1985 and 1986.

The two 1957 registrations of "Autumn Avenue" were renewed on September 24, 1985 (RE0000259076 and RE0000259092), with Korb alone listed as claimant.^[22][23] Piedmont Music Company renewed the 1964 published edition with piano accompaniment in July 1992 (RE0000589920), claiming as the proprietor of a work made for hire for the new piano part.^[24][19]

No other biographical details about Ralph Spurlin Jr. were found in the sources consulted.