Johnny Avery Noble was born in 1892 in Honolulu. Always an entrepreneur, Johnny would think of different ways to make money even as young boy, from shining shoes to selling newspapers while whistling tunes for customers on Honolulu's street corners. Johnny soon became known as the "whistling newsboy" and his reputation led him to tour with Hawaii's well known ukulele player, Ernest Kaai. Johnny would give whistling solo performances in the shows. A self-taught musician, Johnny soon became accomplished on the drums, piano and xylophone. He is probably most remembered as a successful composer, writing such songs as "My Little Grass Shack", "Hilo Hattie", and "Hula Blues" along with many other hits. Johnny was the first Hawaiian to enter the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers and was inducted into the Hawaiian Entertainment Hall of Fame in 1974. Johnny died in 1944.
Todaro, Tony. Golden Years of Hawaiian Entertainment. Honolulu: Tony Todaro Publishing Co, 1974. (Page 269)
Music, Composers, Authors & Songs, John Avery Noble [http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/music-search/music-songs-composers%20-%200471.htm] accessed October 1, 2010.
Songs
- Kamehameha Waltz, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Hawaiian Hula Medley (Palolo - Lei Loke O Kawika - Na Moku Eha), Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Yellow Dog Blues, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Hualalai, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Lei Ohu, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- E Mama E, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Royal Hawaiian Hotel, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Kuu Ini (My Desire), Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- 12th Street Rag, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Hilo March, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Maunawili Hula, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Hilo E, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Lihue, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Haole Hula, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Lei Nani, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiians
- Haleakala, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Lei E, Johnny Noble
- My Hawaiian Maid, Johnny Noble
- Kuhio Bay, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- I've Been Dreamjng of a Little Girl Like You, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Pua Mamane, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- He Loke, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Fair Hawaii, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Garden of Paradise, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Liliu E, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Kamehameha Waltz, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Lei E, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Pu Ana Kamakani E, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- Kalamaula, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music
- King's Serenade (Imi Au Ia Oe), Johnny Noble and his Hawaiians
- Sassy, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiians
- Ka He Kili, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- Waipio, Johnny Noble's Hawaiians
- King's Serenade, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiians
- Sassy, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiians
- Kalamaula, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiians
- My Hawaiian Maid, Johnny Noble and his Hawaiian Music