Phil Baxter

b. 5 September 1896, Navarro County, Texas, USA, d. 21 November 1972, Dallas, Texas, USA. A band leader, songwriter, and pianist, Baxter studied at Daniel Baker College, and, after military service in World War I, led his own bands in the 20s. In the late 20s he wrote the words and music for ‘I’m A Ding Dong Daddy From Dumas’, which became a hit for Louis Armstrong, and was played by the Benny Goodman Orchestra in the film Hollywood Hotel (1938); and ‘Piccolo Pete’, which was a success on record for Harry Reser’s Orchestra, Ted Weems, and the Six Jumping Jacks, as well as being featured in the popular Rudy Vallee movie, The Vagabond Lover (1929). Baxter’s other songs during the 30s included ‘A Faded Summer Love’, which was quite successful for Paul Whiteman and Bing Crosby, ‘Let’s Have A Party’, ‘One Man Band’, ‘Have A Little Dream On Me’, and ‘Going! Going!! Gone!!!’, a hit for Guy Lombardo. After this flurry of activity in the 30s, Baxter left the music business and retired to Dallas.