Al Sherman

Al Sherman (September 7, 1897 - September 16, 1973) was an American Tin Pan Alley songwriter from the first half of the twentieth century. Sherman is a link in a long chain of musical Sherman family members.
Early life
Al Sherman was born into a Jewish musical family in Kiev, Russian Empire. His father, Samuel Sherman, fled a Cossack pogrom in 1903, settling in Prague which was then part of Austria-Hungary. Samuel eventually found success working as a concertmaster, first violinist and intermittent court composer in the Royal Court of Emperor Franz Josef. Samuel's family came to live with him in Prague.
As a young boy, Al would stand in the wings to hear his father play for the Bohemian Emperor, thus sparking the young boy's love of music. Once, when Al was about six years old, the Emperor sent guards to find out who was rustling around behind the curtains. He then asked the frightened youngster (Al) to sit on his knee for the duration of the concert...