This is another happy phono related story, but not nearly the calibre of Eric's, though. About twenty years ago I happened upon a Columbia 2 minute cylinder entitled 'Poor John'. As my name is John, I bought it. There was no singer listed, only 'Soprano Solo'. As it turned out, it was recorded by Ada Jones, and more interestingly to me, it was announced by Ada Jones also. There was no mention of Columbia Phonograph Company, the announcement simply says "Poor John, sung by Miss Ada Jones" and then the song starts. I loved the song, but sadly I broke the record. I looked for it for several years, only finding it on an LP of Vaudeville songs sung by someone I can't remember. Then I found it on an Edison cylinder, but it was not announced by Ada Jones. This weekend, the GSPS group met at my house (California chapter of MAPS). Scott Corbett told me that he had a present for me. There were two cylidners, and one was the Columbia version of Poor John!! Better yet it is in mint condition in OBT! Talk about a great present. I told him I had been searching for twelve years, but it is actually more like sixteen years!! Anybody else have any records announced by the artist (other than Dan W Quinn or some of the older brown waxes, when artist announcements were more common)? John Robles