Will Osborne was one of many underrated and relatively unknown Canadian-American Crooners and Bandleaders from the late 1920s through the mid 1940s. Those who have became familiar with him will draw the comparison between him and Rudy Vallee. He was also at various points a drummer and a songwriter as well. He only had two orchestras, both named as \"Will Osborne & His Orchestra\" but from different time periods.
Will started out in 1924 with his first orchestra, but wouldn't actually have his first records until about 1929 on Columbia. But as soon as he started out on Columbia, the depression came around. For him to continue, he became an ARC Artist. The ARC, otherwise known as the American Record Corporation, was basically a combining of small dimestore labels together such as Melotone, Banner, Perfect, Oriole, Conqueror, and others. So Will and his Orchestra became one who recorded on most of these labels. Mostly recording on Melotone and Perfect. During this time he would also sing for some other bands such as Art Kahn. This is where he would record most of his records.
In 1936 he would do two things. Form a new orchestra, and start to move away from the ARC over to Decca Records. As the 40s came along with World War 2, he would basically stop recording all together, but would appear in some movies, and after the war, he would briefly return to the recording industry on the Black & White label in 1946. After this, he would leave the recording industry for just bandleading. He would retire from bandleading in 1957.
Will only had one actual charted hit. Cocktails For Two in 1934, but I should recommend some other songs of his. Thanks in 1933, I've Had My Moments in 1934, I Can't Believe It's True in 1932, Hot Chocolate Soldiers in 1934, The Gentlemen Awaits (his Theme) in 1938, Hold Your Man in 1933, and Just Think Of Me Sometimes in 1929. Plus whatever is the flip of this record.
