Finding Aids to Collections in the Archive of Folk Culture

ALABAMA COLLECTIONS
IN THE ARCHIVE OF FOLK CULTURE

Compiled by: John G. Gould and Sabrina Thomas
Series Editor: Ann Hoog
Revised: September 2012

AFC 1935/002: John Lomax Southern States Collection, 1934-35
Six hundred twenty-six 12-inch discs of church services, instrumentals, songs, and stories recorded in Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., by John A. Lomax, Alan Lomax, Ruby T. Lomax, and Harold Spivacke, 1933-37. [catalog record]

AFS 88: One disc containing 13 songs sung by Negro girls at the Kirby Industrial School. Recorded in Atmore, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (22 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 7B)

AFS 224A, B3: One disc containing "Going North" and "I Can't Get No Hearin' From My Babe," sung by Tom Bradford with guitar. Recorded in Birmingham, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (4 minutes; preservation tape LWO-4844 reel 17B)

AFS 225: One disc containing 6 songs sung by Negro convicts and female inmates of the Old State Penitentiary. Recorded in Wetumpka, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (15 minutes; preservation tape LWO-4844 reel 17B)

AFS 226-228: Three discs containing 13 songs recorded by Negro convicts and Will (Stovepipe) Bennett. Recorded in Speigner, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (37 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 17B-18A)

AFS 229A: One disc containing 2 singing and spoken word performances by Rev. J.J. Jones, Willie Montgomery and John Tarran. Recorded in Atmore, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (6 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 18A).

AFS 229B: One disc containing "The Storm Come Rollin' Through" and "Separated Line," sung by Noah White. Recorded at the State Prison farm in Atmore, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (6 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 18A)

AFS 230A: One disc containing "Po' Laz'us" and "Red Ball Turning Over," sung by Eugene Foster. Recorded at Kilby Prison in Montgomery, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (6 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 18A)

AFS 231-233A3: Three discs containing 9 songs sung by Albert Jackson and Negro convict groups. Recorded at the state prison farm in Atmore, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (27 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 18A)

AFS 233B1-235B2: Three discs containing 10 songs sung by Henry Williams, Willie Williams and Negro convicts. Recorded at Kilby Prison in Montgomery, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (33 minutes; preservation tape LWO-4844, reel 18B)

AFS 237A, 237B2-238: Two discs containing 4 songs sung by Eugene Foster and Charles Griffin. Recorded at Kilby Prison in Montgomery, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (12 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 18B)

AFS 237B1: One disc containing "Humble" sung by a group of Negro women prisoners. Recorded at the Old State Penitentiary in Wetumpka, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, October 1934. (2 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4844 reel 18B)

AFS 878; AFS 948A1-A3, B1: Two discs containing 12 songs sung by Annie Brewer. Recorded in Montgomery, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, March 1937. (20 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 63A, 68B)

AFS 934: One disc containing 6 songs sung by James Hale, George James, and Reefer Waller. Recorded at Atmore State Prison Farm in Alabama, by John A. Lomax, March 1937. (15 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 67B)

AFS 938: One disc containing 6 songs sung by Peter Humes, Robert Lee Jackson, John Jones, and David Rhoades. Recorded at Atmore State Prison Farm in Alabama, by John A. Lomax, March 1937. (15 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 67B)

AFS 943A2-B2: One disc containing 4 songs sung by James Hale, George James, and Charlie King. Recorded at Atmore State Prison Farm in Alabama, by John A. Lomax, March 1937. (7 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 68A)

AFS 945: One disc containing 5 songs sung by Sallie Howard, Floreta and Hattie Jenkins, and Frank Woodward. Recorded in Mobile, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, March 1937. (9 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 68A)

948A4: One disc containing "Trouble, Trouble," sung by James Hale. Recorded at Atmore State Prison Farm in Alabama, by John A. Lomax, March 1937. (2 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 68B)

AFC 1937/004: John A. Lomax and Alton C. Morris Florida Collection, 1937
Twenty-eight discs of songs recorded in Gainesville, Fort White, High Springs, Newberry, Micanopy, and Moss Bluff, Florida, by John A. Lomax and Alton C. Morris, March-April 1937. The collection includes 7 pages of logs. [catalog record]

AFS 991A1, A2, B1: One disc containing 3 songs, "Great Titanic," "Let's Go Down to the Water," and "Just Over in the Glory Land," by Sallie Hawkins, Sallie Howard, Floreta and Hattie Jenkins, and Frank Woodward. Recorded in Mobile, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, March 1937. (7 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 71A).

AFC 1937/007: John A. Lomax Southern States Collection, 1937
One hundred forty-nine 12-inch discs of recordings from Alabama, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Texas, recorded by John A. Lomax and Ruby T. Lomax, June-July 1937. [catalog record]

AFS 1305-1328A1; 1328B- 1335A1; 1335B1: Thirty discs containing 117 songs, dialogues and stories performed by Richard Amerson, Tom Bell, Brent Bolden, Enoch Brown, Uncle Rich Brown, Jim Carter, Ed Cobb, Marshall Collins, Aunt Florida Hampton, Blind Jesse Harris, Vera Hall, Henry Reed, Dock Reed, The Travis Family (Mary Jane, Celia, Martha, and Jim), Booker T. Williams, Joe Fred Williams. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, July 1937. (5 hours; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 96-98A)

AFS 1335A2, 1335B2-1336B3: Two discs containing 7 songs sung by David Alexander, Judge Broadus, Charley Campbell, Willie Carter, Lewis Coleman, Allen Gordon, Thomas Langston, Joe Milhouse, Albert Nicholson, Dock Reed, James Williams. Recorded at the State Docks in Mobile, Alabama, by John A. Lomax, July 1937. (8 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 98A)

AFC 1938/011: Alan Lomax 1938 Library of Congress Sessions Collection
Twenty-two 12-inch discs of songs performed by Barbara Bell, Ernest Bourne, W.C. Handy, Alan Lomax, Bess Brown Lomax, the Resettlement Administration Singers, the Rindlisbacher Lumberjack Group, Earl Robinson, the Skyline Farm Singers, and Blaine Stubblefield. Recorded primarily in Washington, D.C., at the Library of Congress, by Alan Lomax, 1937-38. The collection includes 8 pages of notes. [catalog record]

AFS 1629-1630B: Two discs containing 7 songs sung by the Skyline Farm Group and Joe Sharp, both from Scottsboro, Alabama. Recorded in Washington, D.C., by Alan Lomax, May 1938. (14 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 118B-119A)

AFC 1939/001: John and Ruby Lomax 1939 Southern States Recording Trip
One hundred forty-seven discs recorded by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax in various southern states between April and June 1939. Genres include ballads, blues, children's songs, cowboy songs, dance music, fiddle tunes, field hollers, lullabies, Mexican corridos, play-party songs, religious dramas, spirituals, work songs. [catalog record] [online presentation]

AFS 2664B2: One disc containing "Don't You Grieve," sung by Aunt Molly McDonald. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, May 1939. (2 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 171A) [audio] [dust jacket] [performer photo]

AFS 2678B2: One disc containing "Rosie," sung by Vera Hall. Recorded by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax in Livingston, Alabama, May 1939. (2 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 172A) [audio]

AFS 2680A3: One disc containing "Come Up, Horsey, Hey, Hey," sung by Vera Hall. Recorded by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax in Livingston, Alabama, May 26, 1939. (preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 172A) [audio]

AFS 2680B1: One disc containing "Job, Job," sung by Jesse Allison, Vera Hall, and Doc Reed. Recorded by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax in Livingston, Alabama, May 26, 1939. (preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 172A) [audio]

AFS 2680B2: One disc containing "Love Comes Twinklin' Down," sung by Jesse Allison, Vera Hall, and Doc Reed. Recorded by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax in Livingston, Alabama, May 26, 1939. (preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 172A) [audio]

AFS 2682-2692A: Eleven discs containing 49 songs Albert (Tied-tongue) Allison Jesse Allison, Enoch Brown, Hettie Godfrey, Vera Hall, Aurilla Horne, Jim Henry (Duck) Horne, Aunt Caroline Horne, Frances Horne, Jane McDonald, Jim McDonald, Joe McDonald, Mary McDonald, Aunt Molly McDonald, and Dock Reed. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, May 1939. (94 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 172B-173A)

AFS 2693-2695B2: Three discs containing 11 songs sung by Robert Chapman, Ben Donner, Jeff Horton, and members of the congregation of Johnson Baptist church, including S.L. Clark, Reverend Eason, Aunt Celina Lewis, Mary Tollman, Earlene Washington, Rev. Ward and Simon Williams. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, May 1939. (21 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 173A-B)

AFS 2696-2698A2: Three discs containing 10 songs sung by Aunt Florida Hampton and Jeff Horton. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, May 1939. (17 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 173B)

AFS 2698B-2702B2; 2703-2704: Seven discs containing 33 songs sung by Aunt Florida Hampton, Ed Jones, Celina Lewis, Sims and Mandy Tartt, .Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, May 1939. (61 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 173B-174A)

AFS 3554A1: One disc containing "John Saw Dat Number" sung by Jesse Allison, Vera Hall, and Dock Reed. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, May 1939. (11 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 232B) [audio]

AFS 3555A1: One disc containing "Job, Job," sung by Jesse Allison, Vera Hall, and Dock Reed. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, May 1939. (11 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 233A) [audio]

AFC 1939/005: Herbert Halpert 1939 Southern States Recording Expedition
Four hundred and nineteen 12-inch discs of instrumentals, monologs, prayers, sermons, songs, and stories recorded in Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, by Herbert Halpert, March 15-June 23, 1939, for the Folk Arts Committee of the WPA and the Library of Congress. The collection includes one and one-fourth linear inches of articles, contact sheets, correspondence, descriptions, interviews, lists, photographs, reports, and song texts. [catalog record]

AFS 2943A1-2945B: Three discs containing 11 songs sung by Irene and Louise Holt and the Skyline Farms String Band (Chester Allen, Herbert Green, Thomas Holt, Joe Sharp). Recorded at Skyline Farms, Scottsboro, Alabama, by Herbert Halpert, May 1939. (23 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 193B)

AFS 2946A-AFS 2947A2: Two discs containing 3 songs sung by Henry Hankins. Recorded in Tuscumbia, Alabama, by Herbert Halpert, May 1939. (6 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 193B).

AFS 2947B-2949: Three discs containing 9 songs sung by Palmer Godsey and Sacred Harp singers. Recorded in Bethel Church, Franklin County, Alabama, by Herbert Halpert, May 1939. (22 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 193B-194A)

AFC 1939/016: Resettlement Administration Recordings Collection
One hundred sixty-five 12-inch discs of instrumentals and songs recorded in Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Washington, D.C. by Sidney Robertson Cowell, Charles Seeger, Margaret Valiant, and others for the Special Skills Division, Resettlement Administration, 1936-37. The collection includes 3 1/2 inches of transcripts, correspondence, graphic images, and a program book from the 1937 National Folk Festival. [catalog record]

AFS 3241A2: One disc containing "John done saw that number," sung by Vera Hall. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. Lomax. (note: this is a re-recording of AFS 1335A1). (preservation tape LWO 5111 reel 438B)

AFC 1940/003: John and Ruby Lomax 1940 Southern States Recordings Collection
One hundred forty-six 12-inch discs of a sermon and songs recorded in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia by Bess Brown, John A., and Ruby T. Lomax, September-November 1940. The collection includes 1 1/2 linear inches of correspondence and song transcriptions. [catalog record]

AFS 4017B3-B4; 4018A3-4024B; 4027A; 4030-4042; 4043A3-4043; 4044A5-4061; 4063B3; 4064B3-4069A; 4071A1: Forty-eight discs containing 188 songs sung by Richard Amerson, Tom (Hon'der) Bell, Rev. Boyd, Enoch Brown, Curtis Clark, James Clark, Rev. Gage, Annie Godfrey, Hettie Godfrey, Rev. B.B. Hall, Joe Hall, Johnny Hall, Vera Hall, Jeff Horton, Manuel (Peter Hatcher) Jones, Polly Larkin, John A. Lomax, Janie McDonald, Joe McDonald, Aunt Molly McDonald, Betty Moore, Lillie Polk, Jewell Pylat, Dock Reed, Ruby P. Tartt, and Liza Witt. Recorded in Livingston, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, October-November, 1940. (8 hours, 20 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 270B-276A)

AFS 4025A1-4026B3; AFS 4027B-4028B1: Four discs containing 22 songs sung by Harriet McClention and Uncle Rich Brown. Recorded near Sumterville, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, October 1940. (41 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 271A-B).

AFS 4028B2-4029B5; AFS 4043A1-A2: Three discs containing 9 songs sung by Negro school children. Recorded near York, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, October 1940. (22 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 271B & 272B)

AFS 4062-4063B1; 4064A1-B2: Three discs containing 12 songs sung by Clabe and Mary Amerson, Mattie Bell, Mandy Tartt. Recorded in Boyd, Alabama, by John A. and Ruby T. Lomax, November 1940. (27 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 274B).

AFC 1941/018: Robert Sonkin Alabama and New Jersey Collection
Sixty-four 12-inch discs of conversations, interviews, prayer meetings, rhymes, and songs. Recorded at various locations in Bessemer, Camden, Gee's Bend, Greensboro, Palmerdale, Rehoboth, and Selma, Alabama and in Port Norris and Shell Pile, New Jersey, by Robert Sonkin, June 25-July 25, 1941. The collection includes 1 inch of content lists and textual transcriptions, including Farm Security Administration (FSA) reports about Gee's Bend, 1937-1939, and undated. [catalog record] [finding aid]

AFS 5035-5036: Two discs containing 2 interviews and one prayer meeting with Mr. and Mrs. John V. Hanna. Recorded in Palmerdale, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, 1941. (9 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 359A).

AFS 5038A: One disc containing "I'm Growing" (Tune: "Old Black Joe") and "The Crusty Old Boss," sung by Will Crawford. Recorded in Birmingham, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, 1941. (6 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 359A).

AFS 5042: One disc containing "Good Evening, Everybody" and "Golden Bells," sung by the Big Four quartet. Recorded in Bessemer, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, July 1941. (9 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 359A-B).

AFS 5043-5061: Nine discs containing 32 songs, talks, rhymes, and sermons, performed by Frank Benning, Patrick Bendulf, Reverend Cary, Willie Coleman, Sr., Beatrice Jenkins, Ada Pettway, Lucy T. Pettway, Reverend Paul Pettway, Oliver Pharr, Ella Scott, and Frank and Sally Titus. Recorded in Gee's Bend, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, 1941. (177 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 359B-360B)

AFS 5062: One disc containing 4 hymns sung at the Oak Grove Church. Recorded in Rehoboth, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, July 1941. (7 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 361A).

5063A-5076B: Fourteen discs containing 40 songs, conversations and recitations by Anna Bendulf, Nancy Bendulf, Patrick Bendulf Sr., [Annie Bendulph], Frank Benning, Little Cary, Reverend Wm. Cary, Dr. R.E. Dixon, Seabell Kennedy, Max Major, Needom Mooney, Martha Mosley, Ada Pettway, Deacon Collins Pettway, Ernest Pettway, Jorina Pettway, Little Pettway, Martha Jane Pettway, Nolan Pettway, Rinnell Pettway, Oliver Pharr, Ella Scott, and Annie Shamburger. Recorded in Gee's Bend, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, July 1941. (134 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 361A-362B).

5078A1-5096B: Nineteen discs containing 64 songs and talks by Jake Bendulf, W.H. Cammack, Della Cary, [ ? Curtis?], Minder Coleman, Willie Coleman, Deacon Collins, Alice Gaston, Mrs. Richard Gregg, Stokes T. Haynes, Millie Irby, Beatrice Jenkins, Seabell Kennedy, Minniefield Mooney, Needom Mooney, Isom Moseley, Fannie Pharr, Ada Pettway, Clint O. Pettway, Curtis Pettway, Ernest Pettway, Jorina Pettway, [Judge Pettway?], "Uncle" Lee Pettway, Sr., Lucy T. Pettway, Mattie Pettway, Ollie Grove Pettway, Susy Pettway, Oliver Pharr, Rev. Paul S. Pettway, Robert R. Pierce, Sally Titus, and Dave Williams. Recorded in Gee's Bend, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, July 1941. (4 hours, 33 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 362B-364B).

AFS 5077: One disc containing "Red Cross Blues" and "Brick House," performed by the Washboard Trio. Recorded in Selma, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, July 1941. (6 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 362B).

AFS 5097-5098: Two discs containing 10 songs sung by Polly Dunn, May Alice Goodin, Julia Johnson, Jimmie Moseley, Olivia Parker, and May Alice Scott. Recorded in Greensboro, Alabama, by Robert Sonkin, July 1941. (46 minutes; preservation tape LWO 4872 reel 365A).

AFC 1941/035: John Work Southern Negro Songs Collection
Twenty-one 12-inch disc copies of originals made in various parts of Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia by John Work with the help at various times of Harold Schmidt and John Ross. Recorded ca. early 1940s. Also includes the 1942 Fort Valley Folk Festival. [catalog record]

AFS 5151-5153: Three discs containing 6 songs sung by Negro Sacred Harp singers. Recorded in Ozark, Alabama, by John Work, September 1938. (23 minutes; preservation tape LWO 3493 reel 10B)

AFC 1942/022: Lt. Alan Swartz Songs
One 16-inch disc and one 12-inch disc of Lt. Alan Schwartz of the Air Corps discussing life in training camp at Montgomery, Alabama, and singing songs current in the camp. Recorded at the Library of Congress, ca. 1942. (AFS 6504-6505) (preservation tape LWO 3493 reel 46A)

AFC 1943/004: Alan Lomax and George Pullen Jackson Collection of Sacred Harp Music
Twenty-eight 12-inch discs of Sacred Harp singing (hymns, fuguing pieces, and anthems) recorded in Alabama by Alan Lomax in collaboration with George Pullen Jackson, August 1942. The collection includes logs and notes. [catalog record]

AFS 6691-6717: Twenty-seven discs containing 166 songs sung the Sacred Harp Singing Society. Recorded in Birmingham, Alabama, by Alan Lomax and George Pullen Jackson, August 1942. (7 hours, 48 minutes; preservation tape LWO 3493 reel 50A-54A)

AFC 1948/075: Frances Densmore collection of Alabama Cylinder Recordings
Thirty-nine four-inch cylinders recorded by Frances Densmore in Livingston, Texas, December 21-22, 1932, under a grant from the National Research Council. All of the recordings are of Alabama tribal leader Charles Martin Thompson. Densmore published her analyses and transcriptions in a 1937 article entitled "The Alabama Indians and their music" in Straight Texas. The recordings were transferred to the Library of Congress from the National Archives in 1948. (AFS 10,736-10,739; 21,266)

AFC 1950/017: National Folk Festival, 1938
One 12-inch and thirty-nine 16-inch discs of instrumentals, radio programs, and songs. Recorded primarily at the National Folk Festival in Washington, D.C., by the U.S. Recording Company, May 6-8, 1938. The collection includes 3/4 linear inch of song lists, newspaper articles, and programs. Sarah Gertrude Knott makes some introductions. [catalog record]

AFS 9833B2: One disc containing Morris dancing and music performed by students from the School of Organic Education in Fairhope, Alabama. (preservation tape LWO 5111 reel 264A)

AFS 9858B1: One disc containing Morris dancing and music, performed by students from the School of Organic Education in Fairhope, Alabama. Recorded at the National Folk Festival in Washington, D.C., in May 1938. (preservation tape LWO 5111 reel 270A)

AFS 9863A6: One disc containing an introduction to the Morris dance performance by students from the School of Organic Education in Fairhope, Alabama. Recorded at the National Folk Festival in Washington, D.C., in May 1938. (preservation tape LWO 5111 reel 271A)

AFC 1960/005: Ray B. Browne Collection of Folk Music and Spoken Word of Alabama
Ten 10-inch tapes of folk music, fiddle tunes, and stories of Alabama. Recorded in Aliceville, Gordo, Kennedy, and Millford, Alabama, July 1952. The collection includes logs. (AFS 11,691-11,709) (LWO 2865 reel 1; LWO 3007 reels 1-6; LWO 3067 reels 1-12) [see related thesis at end of this finding aid]

AFC 1961/002: Wayland Hand Collection of Songs and Lore
Six 10-inch tapes of songs and stories recorded primarily in the Los Angeles, California, area by Wayland D. Hand, D.K. Wilgus, and various UCLA students, 1956-60. The collection includes forty pages of correspondence, lyrics, notes, transcripts, and song lists. Includes western folk songs and songs and lore of urban minority groups in California. Keywords: Jewish; Polish; Vera Partlow; Ed Cray; Slovak; Armenian; Gypsy; Ukrainian; Japanese; Yugoslavian; Minnesota; Kentucky; Mexico; Alabama; Rosalie Sorrels; D.K. Wilgus; Philippines; Mimi Clar; Utah; Tristram P. Coffin.

AFS 11,861A2: One tape containing stories from the hill country of Alabama, told by William James Cameron, born in Birmingham, Alabama, ca. 1881. Collected by Mary Louise Bowler, summer 1955. (LWO 3272)

AFC 1963/004: George Korson Collection of Songs of Bituminous Coal Miners
Three 10-inch tapes of instrumentals, a recitation, and songs performed with fiddle and guitar by bituminous coal miners from Alabama, Indiana, Kentucky, Nova Scotia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Recorded at various locations by George Korson, 1940. The collection includes 3 pages of lists. Portions of this collection have been published by the Library of Congress on recording number AFS L60, Songs and Ballads of the Bituminous Coal Miners. [catalog record]

AFS 12,010A3: One tape containing "Stand Together," sung by Uncle George Jones. Recorded in Trafford, Alabama, by George Korson, March 1940.

AFS 12,010A10-14: One tape containing "Miners' Strike Song" and "The Strike is On." Recorded in Alabama by George Korson, 1940.

AFS 12,011A24-A27: One tape containing 4 songs performed by the Marvel 4-tet. Recorded in Alabama by George Korson, 1940.

AFS 12,011B8-B12: One tape containing 6 songs performed by the Marvel 4-tet. Recorded in Alabama by George Korson, 1940.

AFS 12,012A4: One tape containing "John L. Lewis, a Fighting Man" sung by Henry Mayfield. Recorded in Alabama by George Korson, 1940.

AFS 12,012A5-A10: One tape containing 6 songs sung by George Jones. Recorded in Alabama by George Korson, 1940.

AFC 1970/027: Tennessee Valley Old-Time Fiddlers Convention, 1968-1969
Two 7-inch tapes of the Second and Third Annual Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers' Conventions. Recorded in Athens, Alabama, October 1968 and 1969. (AFS 14,164-14,165) (LWO 5922) [catalog record]

AFC 1970/028: Mike Wallis Recordings of Sam McCracken
One 7-inch tape of fiddle tunes played by Sam and Ed McCracken. Recorded in Elkmont, Alabama, by Mike Wallis, March 21, 1970. The collection includes a song list. (AFS 14,166) (1 hour; LWO 6047) [catalog record]

AFC 1971/028: Alabama Folk Songs by Ray B. Browne
Ph.D. Dissertation: University of California, Los Angeles, April 1956. [catalog record]

AFC 1972/002: J. Russell Reaver Collection of American Tall Tales
Fifteen linear inches of manuscripts of tales from the South. Collected in 1950 by the "Progressive Farmer" magazine of Birmingham, Alabama. See also "Motif Index to a Collection of American Tall Tales" compiled by Reaver ca. 1974 based on this collection (AFC 2006/003).

AFC 1972/007: Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention 1970 and 1971
Two 7-inch tapes of the Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddler's Convention 1970 and 1971, Athens College, Alabama. Recorded by Doug Crosswhite. (LWO 6797) (AFS 14,650-14,651)

AFC 1973/028: Laura Boulton Collection Part 1: Negro Folklore
Negro Folklore. Recorded 1935-37 by Walter Garwick in Virginia, South Carolina, Alabama. (preservation tape LWO 7551 reels 1A-6A)

AFS 15,705-15,711: Seven discs containing 8 songs and 2 plays. Recorded in Talladega, Alabama, by Walter Garwick. (LWO 7551)

AFC 1974/033: Wilbert "Big Chief" Ellis Recordings
One 10-inch tape of one blues song sung with piano by Wilbert "Big Chief" Ellis, of Montgomery, Alabama. Originally recorded on a disc in New York City, 1948. (AFS 17,471) (LWO 8293) .

AFC 1977/024: John Garst Duplication Project Collection
Twenty-two 10-inch tapes of ballads and songs; instrumental pieces on banjo, fiddle, and guitar; and spiritual, gospel, shape-note, and unison hymn singing. Performers include Doc Watson, Frank Proffitt, the Sea Island Singers, Bascom Lamar Lunsford, and Ernest Hodges, from North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. Originals recorded by John Garst, T. Walsh, William H. Koon, R. A. Stewart, and various media studios. [catalog record]

AFS 19,104B3-19,105A1: One tape containing 16 shape-note songs. Recorded in 1961 at Tommy Frederick's home in Hackleburg, Alabama, 1961. Obtained from R.A. Stewart. (LWO 9587)

AFS 19,108A1: One tape containing 26 Sacred Harp songs. Recorded at Old Union Church in Alabama, by John Garst, August 1966. (LWO 9587)

AFS 19,111A2: One tape containing 24 songs sung by Washington Group Shaped-Note singers. Recorded in Birmingham, Alabama, by Prestige Recording Studio, January 28, 1971. (LWO 9587)

AFS 19,116: One tape containing 12 Sacred Harp songs sung by Mr. and Mrs. Conwill, Mr. and Mrs. [Boyd] Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson, and [Dr.] D.M. Aldrige. Recorded at the home of Mr. Elmer Conwill in Fulton, Mississippi, by R.A. Stewart, May 12, 1962. (LWO 9587)

AFC 1979/022: Jack and Olivia Solomon Interview of Ruth Herren
Two 7-inch tapes of an interview with Ruth Herren by Jack and Olivia Solomon. Recorded at Herren's home in Tallahassee, Alabama, 1975. Includes folksongs with banjo accompaniment. (AFS 19,356-19,357) (LWO 12,752)

AFS 21,855: Ralph Rinzler / Joe Patterson Duplication Project
One 10-inch tape of songs and instrumental performances by black pan-pipe (quill) player Joe Patterson and blues guitarists Willy Doss and Bo Diddley. Recorded in southern Alabama in April 1964 by Ralph Rinzler, fieldworker for the Newport Folk foundation. (LWO 16,543)

AFC 1982/016: University of Alabama Record Projects Collection
Manuscripts describe two recording projects undertaken by Brenda McCallum, director of the Archive of American Minority Cultures, University of Alabama, and Hank Willett, Folk Arts Coordinator, Alabama State Council on the Arts and Humanities in 1980-1981.
The first is the Wiregrass Sacred Harp Record Project, with a list of the Wiregrass Sacred Harp Recordings made. The second is the Alabama Acappella Quartet Record Project, with a grant proposal and one cassette tape sampling of recordings (1980-1982) for the a cappella gospel quartet project, featuring The Four Eagle Gospel Singers, The Shelby County Big Four, The Sterling Jubilee Singers, and The Ensley Jubilee Singers. [catalog record]

AFC 1986/022: Center for Applied Linguistics Collection
Fifty-nine 10-inch tapes of spoken dialect samples, recorded at various locations in North America by various collectors, and compiled by the Center for Applied Linguistics for a project entitled "A Survey and Collection of American English Dialect Recordings." The collection includes 14 linear inches of documentation, including an introduction and preface, a list of contents, content summaries, correspondence, and transcripts. [catalog record] [online presentation]

AFS 24,302B1: One tape containing an interview with a 65-year old black woman from Northport, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Collected by Lawrence Foley of James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1968-1969. Partial transcript included. [audio] [transcript]

AFS 24,302B2: One tape containing an interview with a 70-year old white female from Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, discussing old things she has around the house. Recorded 1968-69. Collected by Lawrence Foley of James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia. Partial transcript included. [audio] [transcript]

AFS 24,302B3: One tape containing an interview with a 71-year old white female from Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, disucussin her 8 years of grammar school, parents and grandparents from the area, limited social contacts, catfish, and fishing. [audio] [transcript]

AFS 24,321A1: One tape containing an interview with two black sisters, retired school teachers from Atlanta, Georgia, and Birmingham, Alabama, respectively, reminiscing about family activities and teaching in Birmingham. Recorded for the "Working Lives" radio program from 1983 to 1985. Collected by Brenda McCallum of the Archive of American Minority Culture at the University of Alabama. Full transcript.

AFS 24,321A2: One tape containing an interview with a 65-year old black woman, a retired schoolteacher from Bessemer, Alabama, reminiscing about life in the old days. Recorded for the "Working Lives" radio program from 1983 to 1985. Collected by Brenda McCallum of the Archive of American Minority Culture at the University of Alabama.

AFS 24,321B3: One tape containing an interview with a 45-year old black man, a steelworker from Birmingham, Alabama, talking of life during the Depression. Recorded for "Working Lives" radio program from 1983 to 1985. Collected by Brenda McCallum of the Archive of American Minority Culture at the University of Alabama. Partial transcript.

AFS 24,321B4: One tape containing an interview with a 75-year old black man, a retired ironworker from Birmingham, Alabama, discussing ironworking and the Depression. Recorded for "Working Lives" radio program from 1983 to 1985. Collected by Brenda McCallum of the Archive of American Minority Culture at the University of Alabama. Partial transcript.

AFS 24,322A1: One tape containing an interview with a 65-year old black woman, a retired domestic worker from Jasper, Alabama, and her husband, a retired coal miner, recalling coal mining life during the Depression. Recorded for "Working Lives" radio program from 1983 to 1985. Collected by Brenda McCallum of the Archive of American Minority Culture at the University of Alabama. Full transcript.

AFS 24,322A2: One tape containing an interview with a 65-year old retired white steelworker from Birmingham, Alabama, discussing the steel industry. Recorded 1983-1985. Recorded for "Working Lives" radio program from 1983 to 1985. Collected by Brenda McCallum of the Archive of American Minority Culture at the University of Alabama. Full transcript.

AFS 24,331A3: One tape containing an interview with Hugo Black, a Supreme Court Justice from Harlan, Alabama, discussing his judicial views. Collected by Maurice Crane of Michigan State University's Voice Library. [audio]

AFS 24,336A1: One tape containing an interview with a 64-year old white man from Mountain Creek, Alabama. Recorded 1975-1980. Collected by Joseph Mele of the University of South Alabama. [audio]

AFS 24,336A2: One tape containing an interview with a 61-year old white woman from Brently, Alabama. Recorded 1975-1980. Collected by Joseph Mele of the University of South Alabama. [audio]

AFS 24,336A3: One tape containing an interview with a 60-year old black woman from Choctaw County, Alabama. Recorded 1975-1980. Collected by Joseph Mele of the University of South Alabama. [audio]

AFS 24,355A1: One tape containing an interview with a 91-year old white woman from Bullock County, Alabama, discussing her life and the Methodist church. Recorded September 1978. Collected by Annie Mae Turner of Union Springs, Alabama. Full transcript.

AFS 24,355A2: One tape containing an interview with an 86-year old black man from Bullock County, discussing his family and his pension. Recorded 1977. Collected by Annie Mae Turner of Union Springs, Alabama. Full transcript.

AFS 24,355A3: One tape containing an interview with an 84-year old black woman from Bullock County, Alabama, telling of receiving divine revelation and her life as a midwife. Recorded February 1977. Collected by Annie Mae Turner of Union Springs, Alabama. Full transcript.

AFC 1988/015: Brierfield Ironworks Collection on Alabama Fiddlers
Alabama old-time fiddlers perform tunes for collector Joyce Cauthen, who planned to use selections of the material for an LP. Various accompanists. Sponsored by Brierfield Ironworks park with additional funding from the Alabama State Council on the Arts. Project Director: Joyce Cauthen. Folklorist: Joey Brackner. Record Album produced from tapes Possum up a Gum Stum: Home, Field, and Commercial Recordings of Alabama Fiddlers Past and Present, 1988. Side 2 includes field recordings. Originals at the Department of Manuscripts and Archives of the Birmingham Public Library. (AFS 26,177-26,200) (RXA 7618-7641).

AFC 1989/004: Alabama State Council on the Arts Collection on Gandy Dancers
Transcriptions of interviews with black railroad workers who worked as gandy dancers (members of section gangs before the mechanization of track maintenance). Interviews focus on the occupational art of railroad chanting known as "calling." Recorded in fall 1988. [catalog record]

AFC 1989/010: Center for Popular Music / Roots of American Popular Music
One audiocassette from the "Roots of American Popular Music" radio documentary, containing recordings made by John Wesley Work III, plus one issue of the Tennessee Folklore Society Bulletin (LIII, no. 3) containing an article on Work's field recordings by Bruce Nemerov. The Work recordings include those in the Archive of Folk Culture including those of Ned Frazier and Frank Patterson, Alabama Colored Sacred Harp singing, Heavenly Gate Quartet, Muddy Waters, etc. Commentary also by Alan Lomax, Paul Oliver, and surviving musicians.

AFC 1991/043: Bill Martin Song Manuscript Collection
Two manuscript boxes of words to 2,515 popular and traditional songs that comprise the personal repertory of the donor, Bill Martin, of Birmingham, Alabama. Includes song title index.

AFC 1993/001: Ethnic Heritage and Language Schools in America Project Collection
Twenty-four 5-inch tapes, 60 7-inch tapes, and 288 audiocassettes from the Ethnic Heritage and Language Schools in America Project, a survey of 23 ethnic schools from 22 ethnic groups. Recorded in various locations throughout the United States by Elena Bradunas and 23 fieldworkers, April-July 1982, sponsored by the American Folklife Center. The collection includes fourteen linear feet of slides, photographs, and reports. Includes documentation of a Lebanese school in Birmingham, Alabama, founded in 1915; and a Greek school in Birmingham, Alabama, founded in 1902. [catalog record] [finding aid]

AFC 1995/045: Tommie Bass: A Life in the Ridge and Valley Country
Documentary video produced by Allen Tullos of Emory University and Tom Rankin of the University of Mississippi profiling herbalist/mountain man Tommie Bass of Leesburg, Alabama. (52 min.)

AFC 1996/002: Wiregrass Sacred Harp Singers Videocassette
One videocassette of Wiregrass Sacred Harp Singers, an African American group from southeastern Alabama, ca. 1990.

AFC 1997/011: Lands' End All-American Quilt Collection
Lands' End in cooperation with Good Housekeeping magazine sponsored quilt contests in 1992, 1994, and 1996. The collection consists of visual images, entry blanks, and essays written by entrants, as well as Lands End administrative files and correspondence pertinent to the promotion of the contest. Approximately 13,100 entries for the three contests came from all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Numerous types and styles of needlework, quilting, patchwork, applique and embroidery are represented among the visual images. [catalog record] [finding aid]

AFC 1998/032: "Shape-note singing" concert / with Hugh McGraw and members of the Sacred Harp Singers from Georgia and Alabama
Performance titled "Shape-Note Singing" by Hugh McGraw and members of the Sacred Harp Singers from Georgia and Alabama. Sponsored by the American Folklife Center and other divisions within the Library of Congress. July 24, 1998, in conjunction with the Library's exhibition on "Religion in Early America." [catalog record]

AFC 2000/001: Local Legacies Project Collection
Four hundred and five linear feet (approximately 90,000 manuscript pages, 475 sound recordings, 13,000 graphic materials, 330 electronic media, and 75 artifacts) of documentation of local festivals, fairs, parades, and other community-based events from each U.S. state, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories and trusts. The Local Legacies Collection was donated through the efforts of individuals, organizations, and institutions asked to participate by members of Congress. This project was part of the Library of Congress Bicentennial celebration in the year 2000. [catalog record] [online presentation] [Alabama Local Legacies]

AFC 2002/012: The Blind Boys of Alabama Concert Collection
One videocassette of the Blind Boys of Alabama Concert, recorded at the Library of Congress, June 5, 2002. The collection includes black-and-white photographs, a concert log, program flyer, and publicity materials. [catalog record] [webcast, part I] [webcast, part II]

AFC 2004/004: Alan Lomax Collection
Eight hundred forty-five linear feet (appx. 150 linear feet manuscripts; 10,000 sound recordings; 5500 graphic images; 5000 moving images created and collected by Alan Lomax and others in their work documenting song, music, dance, and body movement from many cultures. Includes field recordings and photographs he made in the Bahamas, the Caribbean, England, France, Georgia, Haiti, Ireland, Italy, Morocco, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Spain, the United States, and Wales, 1930s-2004. Includes material from Alabama. [catalog record] [Alan Lomax Archive]

AFC 2006/003: Motif Index to a Collection of American Tall Tales by J. Russell Reaver
Typescript (photocopy) of motif index to over 2,000 manuscripts in the J. Russell Reaver Collection of American Tall Tales (AFC 1972/002). The tales were collected by the magazine "The Progressive Farmer," through its offices in Birmingham, Alabama, and Dallas, Texas in 1949 and 1950. Motif index is undated, but was donated with related correspondence between Michael Taft and J. Russell Reaver, and one letter from Reaver to David Hufford, 1974. [catalog record]

AFC 2006/012: Michael Richter Huntsville, Alabama, Fiddling and Bluegrass Collection
Four audiocassettes of the September 16 and 17, 1976, Fiddling and Bluegrass Convention held in Huntsville, Alabama, organized by the Cahaba Shrine Temple. Recorded by Michael Richter.