Irwin, May
(1862–1938)> SINGER · SONGWRITER
May Irwin Singer and songwriter Whitby, Canada, June 27, 1862; New York City, October 22, 1938. Irwin started in vaudeville with her sister Flora in 1875 and worked her way up to playing Tony Pastor ’s. She began to write her own songs in 1893, with “Mamie! Come Kiss Your Honey Boy.” Her biggest success came in 1896, when she introduced Charles Treva-than’s “The Bully Song.” This song established her as the foremost coon shouter of the day. Weber Eber Fields booked her for their Music Hall…