Billy James

Billy James (3 July 1895—18 November 1965) was an American musician, songwriter, arranger and studio bandleader. For 27 years, he worked on the radio and TV show "The Horn and Hardart Children's Hour".

Billy James was born William Meredith James Jr. on July 3, 1895, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to William Meredith James Sr. and Elizabeth Robinson.

After graduating from Southern High School in Philadelphia, James joined the American Federation of Musicians in 1912. In 1916, one of his songs, "Hello, My Sweetheart (I Love You)" was recorded by Irving Kaufman (Victor Records).

The following years saw many of his compositions recorded by a variety of noted musicians of the time.

In 1927, James began working for WCAU radio in Philadelphia and created music for "The Horn and Hardart Children's Hour", a variety show hosted by Stan Lee Broza with a cast of children. In 1948, the program began airing on television also, initially on Philadelphia's WCAU-TV, followed by WNBT in New York in 1949. He left the program in 1954.

In 1928, James, Irving Mills, and Mitchell Parish co-wrote "When Birds Of A Feather Get Together (They're Bound To Come Across)", which was recorded in April 1928 by Irving Kaufman (as George Beaver). Also in 1928, he recorded with the Blue Water Yacht Club Orchestra for Cameo Records and Romeo Records.

For many years, James also did arrangements and orchestrations for two of Philadelphia's most famous bands—The Ferko String Band and the Fralinger String Band.

In 1966, the French Dixieland jazz band Les Haricots Rouges recorded a version of "Pickin' On Your Baby" which James had co-written with Gérard Tarquin, P. V. Reynolds, and P. Jean.

James was married to his wife Lilian Ranft.

James died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on November 18, 1965, at age 70.