You can hear the earliest recordings of the ballad by Bernard and Crumit HERE

The recording by Al Bernard in May 1921 (Brunswick 2107B) preceded Frank Crumit's effort by a few months. Bernard, who was from the minstrel tradition and performed coon songs and early jazz-related material, was quite popular in his day. He had some similarity to Emmett Miller, but never approached Miller's vocal eccentricity. Albeit he was not particularly distinguished, his recording of 'Frankie and Johnny' is of some historical interest.

--Stewie.