 Born in New York City but raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, he began writing songs in his teens.At the age of 19 he co-wrote his first successful songs, "That Girl of Mine" and "Take Me To My Alabam", with Will Dillon.After serving in the US Army, he returned to songwriting, co-writing the 1922 novelty hit "Oo-oo, Ernest (Are You Earnest With Me?