Ernest Hogan (born Ernest Reuben Crowdus, Jr., on April 17, 1865) was prior to the well-known Ragtime Scott Joplin. Bowling Green, Kentucky is still known today as the "Shake Rag" city. A grave marker will be installed on the centennial anniversary of his death on May 20, 1909.
Bowling Green's May Elaine Walker called Hogan's legacy one of the unsung hero.
The marker is a way to preserve much of lost Black history of Bowling Green (Warren County) especially in shake Rag.
Hogan's career stems across the theater performances including minstrel songs. He joined a minstrel traveling show at the age of 12 and hones his musical & comedic talents. His first big hit was the first of a new genre of music which coined ragtime, in 1895. Joplin picked up the ragtime style in his 1898 composition "Maple Leaf Rag."
I'm excited to know that in 1906, Hogan appeared at the Park Theatre in Indianapolis, Indiana that is now the location of St. Rita's & St. Frances Roman Catholic Church/School.
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