Ira Schuster (October 13, 1889 – October 10, 1946 [1]) was an American songwriter, who worked as a pianist at various publishing companies on Tin Pan Alley in the early 20th century. [2] He was also known as John Siras. [3]
He was born in New York City on October 13, 1889, to Sarah and Morris Schuster. His father was from Germany and his mother from England. He had a brother, Joseph Schuster (vaudeville). [4] Schuster married Minnie and had two children, Wallace Schuster and Phoebe Schuster.
Schuster collaborated with other notable songwriters of the time, and had a string of hits in the 1910s, 1920s and 1930s. Schuster was also one of the first songwriters to form his own publishing company. [2] His best known songs include "Hold Me," " In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town," [5] "Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes," "I Am an American," "Go Home and Tell Your Mother," "Any Day Now," [6] "I'm Alone Because I Love You" [7] and "Let’s Grow Old Together." [2]
Schuster died in New York, aged 55, in October 1946. [1]
He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. [2]