Violinist Henry Thies (1893-1935) led a territory band in Cincinnati about which very little information is available. He started recording for Victor in 1928, and in 1930 with Jane Froman as his vocalist, she recorded two songs with the band, "Sharing" and "June Kisses". Thies had previously recorded for Vocalion Records as "Thies' Detroit Ritz Orchestra".
Unfortunately, problems and personal tragedies led to depression and Thies committed suicide at the age of 42. Thies died in January 1935, with a single self-inflicted pistol shot to the head in his shower stall. His family didn't find him for an hour, they were waiting for him to show up at dinner. Then they couldn't get him out of the bathroom because his body was blocking the door. That same day, the sales staff at the Cincinnatti Radio Station where he played, had managed to close on a deal to syndicate Thies' show on a national basis. The 40-minute pilot program, recorded in September 1934, still survives.
I would Love to learn more about your Grandfather. I found this and another record of his at a local estate sale, and fell in love with the sound of his Band. I will message you on here with my Private email address.
ASACurator 2 weeks ago