Ernie Burnett, born Ernest Mario Bernaditto on December 19, 1884, in Cincinnati, Ohio, was a prominent American composer, pianist, and music publisher. Educated at the Charlottenberg Conservatory and having pursued further music studies in Italy and Austria, Burnett returned to the United States in 1901, embarking on a career as a vaudeville pianist and entertainer. He gained notable recognition for composing the music for the song "My Melancholy Baby," with lyrics by George A. Norton, which became a widely recorded standard performed by artists like Teddy Wilson, Sonny Rollins, and Frank Sinatra.

Burnett's career was multifaceted; he led dance orchestras and was active in music throughout the Panama Canal Zone for three years. He served in the 89th Division of the Allied Expeditionary Forces during World War I, where he experienced a significant moment of regained memory upon hearing "My Melancholy Baby" while recovering from war injuries. In 1921, Burnett joined the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) and established his own publishing company.

Throughout his career, Burnett collaborated with lyricists such as George Norton and Paul Cunningham, producing songs including "My Kathleen," "Please Take a Letter, Miss Brown," and "There's a New Moon in the Sky Tonight." He passed away on September 11, 1959, in Saranac Lake, New York, leaving behind a legacy of enduring musical contributions.