Al Bernard

Alfred Aloysous Bernard (November 23, 1888 – March 6, 1949) was an American vaudeville singer, known as "The Boy From Dixie", who was most popular during the 1910s through early 1930s.

Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, he became a blackface singer in minstrel shows before starting his recording career around 1916.

W. C. Handy credited Bernard with helping his own career by recording a number of his songs, notably "St. Louis Blues".

[2] Bernard was sometimes billed as "The Singing Comedian", and was the first American singer to record the song "Frankie and Johnny" in America.

)[4] He also recorded duets with Ernest Hare, in which Bernard took the female singing part, including his biggest hit, "I Want To Hold You In My Arms".