With the minstrels he selected as his favorite, wholesome Billy Rice, of whom he was very fond.
Mr. Leonard says he used to buy the New York Clipper each week, and on these occasions he was immediately besieged by members of the company for “just one look”—which no one but Billy Rice ever got.
Mr. Leonard subsequently was with Thatcher, Primrose and West’s Minstrels; Primrose and Dockstader’s; Haverly’s (Nankeville’s); Primrose’s, Dockstader’s Minstrels, and in 1908 was one of the features of Cohan and Harris’ Minstrels.
A few seasons ago during the Summer months he appeared in New York on the New Amsterdam Roof in white-face as Texas Dan; subsequently as Dandy Dan on another roof; he scored a success on each roof with each “Dan.”
Mr. Leonard’s prominence is due to the fact that he sings a song different from any other living performer; a sort of a crooning lullaby, that goes direct to the hearts of his audience; and the ladies say he dances divinely.
Certain it is that this undoubtedly clever artist possesses that mysterious, indefinable attribute what we call magnetism, and possesses it to a large degree.
Late in July, 1909, he headed Eddie Leonard’s Minstrels; also early in August—same year.
Mr. Leonard, also in 1909, headed for the matrimonial altar; Miss Mabel Russell, daughter of the late W. J. Russell, of the old team of Le Clair and Russell, was his happy choice.
Eddie Leonard was born in Richmond, Va., October 18, 1875.
Frank Morrell, the “California Boy,” made his first appearance as a boy soprano with Cleveland’s Minstrels in 1890 at Los Angeles, Cal.; this was followed by an engagement with Sells Bros. Circus, with whom he went to Australia.