Great Songwriters: Mort Dixon

Mort Dixon kicked off his songwriting career in 1923 with a winner that would become an American standard, "That Old Gang of Mine," co-authored with Billy Rose and Ray Henderson.

Dixon's first taste of show business, however, came years beforehand; while serving in World War I, Dixon directed the army show Whiz Bang, which toured France after the war.

Born on March 20th, 1892 in New York City, Dixon returned there after Whiz Bang to take the stage as a Vaudeville actor, and pursue a career as a Broadway lyricist. Most famously, he collaborated with Harry Warren and Joe Young on songs for the 1931 musical revue Laugh Parade, produced by and starring the legendary Vaudeville comedian Ed Wynn.

Dixon's collaborations with Harry Warren would result in some of his finest work, including the classic "I Found a Million Dollar Baby (In a Five and Ten Cent Store)," which also featured the talents of the great Billy Rose. Additionally, Dixon collaborated with Ray Henderson, most notably on the tender "Bye Bye Blackbird," and the abovementioned "That Old Gang of Mine." Other luminaries Dixon worked alongside include Harry M. Woods ("I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover") and Allie Wrubel ("The Lady in Red").