Songwriters Hall of Fame

Cal Stewart was born in Charlotte County, Virginia in 1856.

A friend of Mark Twan and later Will Rogers, Stewart began performing on trains, in circuses, medicine shows and vaudeville in the rural New England character of ‘Uncle Josh Weathersby’ from the mythical town of ‘Pumpkin Center.’

His remarkable recording career began in the mid 1890’s and over the next three decades had nearly 50 pop hits including the #1 recordings of ‘Uncle Josh’s Arrival in New York’ (1898), ‘I’m Old But I’m Awfully Tough (Laughing Song)’ (1898), ‘Jim Lawson’s Horse Trade With Deacon Witherspoon’ (1901), ‘Uncle Josh’s Huskin’ Bee Dance’ (1901) and ‘Uncle Josh on an Automobile’ (1903).

Cal Stewart died on December 7, 1919.