Probably Harney's best-known composition (1896) along with "You've Been a Good Old Wagon, But You Done Broke Down," and "The Cake Walk in the Sky."
(Library of Congress.)

  Ben Harney is widely considered to have introduced ragtime piano playing to the mainstream theatergoing public. He reportedly honed his skills in a saloon in his Louisville, Kentucky hometown, then ventured to New York City in 1896 and created a sensation in local theaters. News items excavated from 1896-1898 editions of the weekly entertainment trade paper, The New York Clipper, help place Harney's early theatrical adventures in context.

  February 1, 1896: "Tony Pastor's Theatre ­ Success, unqualified and justly deserved, has thus far waited upon the new departure in managerial policy at this always popular resort, packed houses being the daily rule during all of last week. Monday, Jan. 27, marked the initiation of the second week of continuous performances, and the standing room was day and night completely consumed. While the program is largely given over to familiar contributions, there are a brace of newcomers who merit recognition for their work, and who gained a success on the occasion of their first local appearance. Ben R. Harney, a Westerner, introduced a novel act consisting of imitations of negro singing, dancing and piano playing, which is of unusual excellence. His dancing is gracefully accomplished, and his singing is a worthy copy of the subject he mimics. Piano playing, in furtherance of his scheme, makes an excellent finish to his act, which merits local favor and general success." (The New York Clipper)

Harney had arrived at Tony Pastor's Theater in time to participate in Pastor's initial experiments with "continuous vaudeville." By 1899 Pastor was being touted as the "father of modern vaudeville"2 and Harney, the "originator of ragtime." As an exponent of "modern vaudeville," Harney performed his ragtime singing, dancing and piano playing act in juxtaposition with acrobats, contortionists, ventriloquists, even a "circus of cats, dogs and monkeys."

   February 22, 1896: "Keith's Union Square Theatre ­ In spite of adverse weather conditions another week was inaugurated with a standing room house in attendance on Monday, Feb. 17, and those who braved chilling winds found a... splendid bill awaiting them. Lew Dockstader, in a new monologue, with new songs, is the bright feature of the new faces here this week... Flora Finlayson, well known in opera, made her first appearance on this stage, and gained an abundance of applause for her sweet singing. Ben R. Harney, another stranger at this house, jumped into immediate favor through the medium of his genuinely clever plantation negro imitations and excellent piano playing... On the bill also are LeRoy and Clayton, comedy duo; the Two Carles, vocalists; W.E. Whittle, ventriloquist; Earnest Wilson, character singer, and Quinn and Forbes, expert dancers." (The New York Clipper)

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