Edison Amberol Cylinder - Billy Murray - Alexander's Ragtime Band 1911 (Reached US Billboard #2 - Nov 1911 (7 weeks) Recorded in November of 1911.
\"Alexander's Ragtime Band\" is a song by Irving Berlin. It was his first major hit, in 1911. There is some evidence, although inconclusive, that Berlin borrowed the melody from a draft of \"A Real Slow Drag\" by Scott Joplin that had been submitted to a publisher.
William Thomas \"Billy\" Murray (May 25, 1877 -- August 17, 1954) was one of the most popular singers in the United States in the early decades of the 20th century. While he received star billing in Vaudeville, he was best known for his prolific work in the recording studio, making records for almost every record label of the era.