Bert L. Rule ''(né'' Albert Lyman Rule; 12 August 1891 Brooklyn; – 17 August 1978 East Patchogue, New York) was an American composer, arranger, singer, and pianist of popular songs of Tin Pan Alley and the vaudeville genre. Rule composed and published his music, some of which became national hits, from 1913 to 1934. He worked in publishing houses, namely M. Witmark & Sons and performed in vaudeville theaters throughout the country roughly during the same period.

Career highlights

; Brennan & Rule ''(circa'' 1918–1920) In 1918 and 1919, while under contract with M. Witmark & Sons, Rule performed vaudeville shows with lyricist J. Keirn Brennan, both signing compositions they wrote together, with Rule accompanying on piano. Their biggest nationwide hit at the time was ''Have a Smile for Everyone You Meet'' and ''Gates of Gladness''. ; O'Brien & Rule ''(circa'' 1923–1925) In 1924, Rule performed as a singing composer, with John O'Brien, as singing comedian, in a vaudeville show at the Lyceum in

Canton, Ohio Canton () is a city in and the county seat of Stark County, Ohio. It is located approximately south of Cleveland and south of Akron in Northeast Ohio. The city lies on the edge of Ohio's extensive Amish country, particularly in Holmes and ...

. There is an article and advertisement in an October 1924 Toronto newspaper stating that Rule and O'Brien was to perform at Shea's Hippodrome in Toronto. There are also advertisements in 1924 issues of The Plain Dealer showing Rule and O'Brien performing at B. F. Keith's Palace in Cleveland. There is a 1926 article in a 1926 issue of The Times,

Batavia, New York Batavia is a city in and the county seat of Genesee County, New York, United States. It is near the center of the county, surrounded by the Town of Batavia, which is a separate municipality. Batavia's population as of the 2020 census was 15,6 ...

stating that Rule and O'Brien was performing at Shea's in Buffalo.''"Everybody's Welcome" Heads Bill at Shea's Court Street Theater'', The Times, Batavia, New York, col. 2, pg. 3, September 25, 1926
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Selected compositions

; Various publishers * ''Way Down East, Sailors Don't Care'', words & music by H. Wallis & G. Feist, Bert Rule (publisher unknown) (1923) ; Published by A. J. Stasny Music Co. * ''Down Where the Tennessee Flows,'' words by

Ray Sherwood Raymond A. Sherwood (25 November 1889, in Brooklyn – 15 August 1965, in Arcadia, Florida) was an American lyricist of popular music of the Tin Pan Alley genre (''circa'' early 1920s). Sherwood's World War I Draft Registration indicates that in Ju ...

, music by Bert L. Rule (1913) * ''I Did It All For You,'' words by

, music by Bert L. Rule (1914) * ''I'm Goin Back to Old Nebraska'', words by

, music by Bert L. Rule, cover artist Edward Henry Pfeiffer (1868–1932) (1914) * ''There's a Girl That's Meant for Me: in the Heart of Tennessee,'' words by

, music by Burt L. Rule (1914) * ''Why Shouldn't I Love You'', words by

, music by Bert L. Rule (1915) * ''Sweetheart - Time'', one step, by Milbury Ryder & Bert Rule (1915) (arr. for band) ; Published by Allan & Co., Melbourne * ''Shadows will fade away,'' words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''The Gates of Gladness (On the Road To Sunshine Land)'', by J. Keirn Brennan, Paul Cunningham & Bert Rule (1919) * ''Sligo (just to hear my mother sing)'', Irish waltz ballad, words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1920) * ''That's How I Believe in You'', waltz ballad, words by

Al Dubin Alexander Dubin (June 10, 1891 – February 11, 1945) was an American lyricist. He is best known for his collaborations with the composer Harry Warren. Life Al Dubin came from a Russian Jewish family that emigrated to the United States from Swi ...

& Paul Cunningham, music by Bert Rule (1921) ; Published by M. Witmark & Sons * ''I want to see my Ida Hoe in Idaho,'' words by Alex Sullivan, music by Bert Rule (1918) * ''Have a Smile for Everyone You Meet, and They Will Have a Smile for You,'' words by J. Keirn Brennan & Paul Cunningham, music by Bert Rule (1918) * ''If You Don't Stop Making Eyes at Me, I'm Goin' to Make Eyes at You,'' words and music by J. Keirn Brennan, Paul Cunningham, & Bert Rule (1919) * ''Shadows Will Fade Away'', ballad fox trot, words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''My Sampan Man'', words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''The Gates of Gladness (on the Road to Sunshine Land)'', by J. Keirn Brennan, Paul Cunningham & Bert Rule (1919) * ''Ain't It Grand in New Orleans'', words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1919) * ''Why must we say goodbye?'' by Sam Ash, J. Keirn Brennan & Bert Rule (1920) * ''She's the Heart of Dixieland,'' words by

, music by Burt L. Rule (1920) * ''Just a week from to-day,'' novelty fox trot song, words by Paul Cunningham &

, music by Bert Rule (1920) * ''On a Far Alone Isle'', novelty fox trot ballad, words by J. Keirn Brennan, music by Bert Rule (1921) * ''I Want To Rock-a-Bye My Mammy, Like She Used To Rock-a-Bye Me,'' by

, Paul Cunningham & Bert Rule (1921) * ''That's How I Believe in You'', waltz ballad, words by

& Paul Cunningham, music by Bert Rule (1921) * ''Ireland Must Be a Garden, If You Are a Wild Irish Rose'', fox trot song, words by George Graff, music by Bert Rule (1923)

Selected arrangements

; Published by Santly Bros. * ''I Never Dreamt: You'd Fall in Love With Me'', by Donovan Parsons & Vivian Ellis, arr. by

Frank Skinner Christopher Graham Collins (born 28 January 1957), professionally known as Frank Skinner, is an English comedian, actor, presenter and writer. At the 2001 British Comedy Awards, he was named Best Comedy Entertainment Personality. His televisio ...

, vocal trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1928) * ''F'r instance'', fox trot, by Paul Denniker, arranged by Archie Bleyer, includes a vocal trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1930) * ''When the Organ Played at Twilight'', waltz, words by Raymond Wallace, music by Jimmy Campbell & Reg Connelly, arr. by William Conrad Polla, vocal trio arr. by Bert Rule (1930) * ''By my side'', fox trot, words by Dorothy Dick &

Bert Lown Bert Lown (born Albert Charles Lown; 6 June 1903 – 20 November 1962) was an American violinist, orchestra leader, and songwriter. Career Lown was born in White Plains, New York. He began as a sideman playing the violin in Fred Hamm's band, and ...

, music by

Harry Link Harry Link (born John Harry Linkey, January 25, 1896, Philadelphia – July 5, 1956, New York City) was an American vaudeville actor and songwriter. He wrote and co-wrote several well-known jazz standards. Career Link studied at the Wharton Sc ...

& Chauncey Gray, arranged by

, trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''My Cradle Sweetheart'', waltz, lyrics by Charles Newman, music by

Isham Jones Isham Edgar Jones (January 31, 1894 – October 19, 1956) was an American bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter. Career Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, United States, to a musical and mining family. His father, Richard Isham Jones ...

, arr. by

Bob Haring Bob Haring (August 21, 1895 – February 18, 1975) was an American popular music bandleader of the 1920s and early 1930s. Biography Haring began recording as the music director of the then-new Cameo Records label beginning in 1922 under a plethor ...

, includes a vocal trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''June Time is Love Time, For Everyone But Me'', fox trot, words by Sidney Clare &

Charles Tobias Charles Tobias (August 15, 1898 – July 7, 1970) was an American songwriter. Biography Born in New York City, United States, Tobias grew up in Worcester, Massachusetts with brothers Harry Tobias and Henry Tobias, also songwriters. He started hi ...

, music by

Al Sherman Avrum Sherman (September 7, 1897 – September 16, 1973), pen name Al Sherman, was a Russian-American songwriter and composer active during the Tin Pan Alley era in American music history. Some of his most recognizable song titles include: "Yo ...

, arr. by

, includes a vocal trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''Building a home for you'', fox-trot, words by Gus Kahn, music by Joseph H. Santly & Joe Bennett, arr. by Fred Loring (1931) * ''I'm an unemployed sweetheart, looking for somebody to love'', fox trot, words by Edgar Leslie & Ned Washington, music by

James V. Monaco James Vincent Monaco (January 13, 1885 – October 16, 1945) was an Italian-born American composer of popular music. Life and career Monaco was born in Formia, Italy. His family emigrated to the United States when he was six, and he grew up i ...

, arranged by Art McKay, trio arrangement by Bert L. Rule (1931) ; Santly Bros. WFAA Collection * ''Concentratin' (on you)'', words by

Andy Razaf Andy Razaf (born Andriamanantena Paul Razafinkarefo; December 16, 1895 – February 3, 1973) was an American poet, composer and lyricist of such well-known songs as " Ain't Misbehavin'" and " Honeysuckle Rose". Biography Razaf was born in Washi ...

, music by Thomas Waller, trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1931) * ''At the Baby Parade'', novelty fox-trot, by Jack Little, Dave Oppenheim & Ira Schuster, vocal trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1932) * ''When it's Darkness on the Delta'', fox-trot, vocal trio, words by Marty Symes &

Al J. Neiburg Allen J. Neiburg (November 22, 1902—July 12, 1978) was an American lyricist. He was born on 22 November 1902 in St. Albans, Vermont and received his education at Boston University. He is known for writing lyrics for such songs as "I'm Confessi ...

, music by Jerry Levinson, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1932) * ''It's the talk of the town'', vocal trio, words by Marty Symes &

, music by Jerry Levinson, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1933) * ''

Under a Blanket of Blue "Under a Blanket of Blue" is an American popular song composed by Jerry Livingston (as Jerry Levinson), with lyrics by Marty Symes and Al J. Neiburg. It was published by Santly Bros., Inc. in 1933, one of four hits by the songwriting trio that yea ...

'', fox trot, words by Marty Symes &

, music by Jerry Levinson, vocal trio arr. by Bert L. Rule (1933) * '' Out in the Cold Again'', vocal trio, words by Ted Koehler, music by

Rube Bloom Reuben Bloom (April 24, 1902 – March 30, 1976) was an American songwriter, pianist, arranger, band leader, recording artist, vocalist, and author. Life and career Bloom was born and died in New York City. He was Jewish. During his career, he wo ...

, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1934) * ''It's All Forgotten Now'', vocal trio, words and music by Ray Noble, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1934) * ''Spellbound'', fox trot, vocal trio, words by Stanley Adams, music by Jesse Greer, arr. by Bert L. Rule (1934)

Selected discography

; Historic recordings * ''Have a smile'' Sterling Trio

Victor The name Victor or Viktor may refer to: * Victor (name), including a list of people with the given name, mononym, or surname Arts and entertainment Film * ''Victor'' (1951 film), a French drama film * ''Victor'' (1993 film), a French shor ...

18518 (4 December 1918) * ''The gates of gladness (on the road to Sunshine Land) '' Shannon Four,

Lewis James Lewis Lyman James (July 27, 1892 – February 19, 1959) was a vocalist and among the most active of recording artists in the United States from 1917 through much of the 1930s. He was a member of The Shannon Four, The Revelers, and The Criterion ...

18590 (28 May 1919) * ''That's how I believe in you'' Henry Burr,

18848 (27 October 1921) ; Cylinder recordings
''Just a week from to-day''
sung by Aileen Stanley with orchestra, 1219 –

Edison Blue Amberol Blue Amberol Records was the trademark name for cylinder records manufactured by Thomas A. Edison, Inc. in the US from 1912 to 1929. They replaced the 4-minute black wax Amberol cylinders introduced in 1908, which had replaced the 2-minute wa ...

: 4293 (1921)

Family

Albert Lyman Rule was married to Jessie Jack Ellen Laurie (1894-1978). They had a son and a daughter: Donald J. Rule (born 1915–2008) and Edna J. Rule (born 1921-1990).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rule, Bert L. American male composers 1891 births 1978 deaths Musicians from New York City 20th-century American composers 20th-century American male musicians