Special Collections

Adelaide Hall Collection feature image The collection contains photographic materials, articles, programs and ephemera related to Hall's performance career.
Al Hobbs Interview feature image Video recording of an interview with the legendary gospel music pioneer Al Hobbs by Keith McCutchen and Fredara Hadley at Hobbs' Indianapolis home in June of 2007.
Albert Six photographs from the 1950s, representing the Regals as well as the new Orioles group formed in 1955 by the merger of the Regals with the original Orioles, and featuring Al "Diz" Russell who remained with the group until 2016.
Angela Brown Collection feature image The collection consists primarily of programs, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, awards, correspondence, memorabilia, audio recordings and video related to Angela Brown's career.
Anthony Gomes Performance, 1998 feature image A live performance of the Anthony Gomes Band followed by a discussion at Indiana University on November 18, 1998.
Arizona Dranes Papers feature image The collection consists primarily of contracts and correspondence between Arizona Dranes and the Consolidated Music Publishing House (owner of the Chicago OKeh Records franchise) from 1926-1929. Contracts for Nov. 15, 1926, include one song not commercially released (and possibly not recorded), "He's Got Better Things for You." Also included are articles about Dranes and this collection by the donor, Malcolm Shaw, and gospel historian Dr. Daniel E. Walker.
Bala Baptiste Collection feature image The collection consists primarily of interviews and articles regarding radio stations and music in New Orleans, including information about the first African American deejays in New Orleans and the Poppa Stoppa radio program.
Black Grooves Collection feature image Press releases and administrative materials pertaining to the AAAMC website Black Grooves. The majority of material in this collection and on the website pertain to recordings in the AAAMC's general collections.
Black Music magazine feature image 35 print issues published between December 1973 and July 1977 of the magazine Black Music.
Black Radio : Telling It Like It Was, circa 1920s-1997, bulk 1991-1995 feature image Production materials documenting Smithsonian's thirteen-part program on the role of radio in transforming the African American community in the twentieth century. The program was produced in 1996 by Jacquie Gales Webb for Smithsonian Productions, with assistance from the AAAMC. The collection contains over 400 hours of interviews and historical aircheck tapes in addition to articles, research files, program scripts, and transcripts. The audio interviews feature conversations with over 150 well-known disc jockeys, radio professionals, record company executives, journalists, and scholars. The historical airchecks include station identifications and jingles, radio interviews with prominent Black figures, coverage of historical events, and programs highlighting or influenced by the contributions of Black performers, disc jockeys, and other important persons in radio.
Blondell Hill Gospel Music Collection, 1916-1964, bulk 1940-1964 feature image This collection consists of gospel song books and sheet music, song texts, photographs, and other ephemeral material related to Blondell Hill's participation with choirs in Richmond, Indiana, Petoskey, Michigan, and Harbor Springs, Michigan.
Bobby Jones Collection feature image Personal memorabilia and awards documenting the career of gospel music legend Dr. Bobby Jones.
Brian Lassiter Southern Rap Collection, 1986-2013 feature image The Brian Lassiter Southern Rap Collection contains 3 series made up of various promotional materials, magazines and various media types related to the topic of Southern Rap music.
Calloway Collection feature image This collection documents the music and business careers of the Calloway family, including brothers Reggie, Vincent, and Gregory and their mother Gloria Calloway Larson, primarily during their years of residence in Cincinnati, Ohio. Family members formed and/or managed the groups Sunchild, Midnight Star, Calloway and Sharp, and initiated other business ventures as well as community projects and youth talent shows in Cincinnati. Included are personal papers, correspondence, business and financial records, tour itineraries, fan club mailing lists, publicity materials, press clippings, magazines, scrapbooks, photographs, and time-based media in both published and unpublished audio and video formats.
Carl MaultsBy Collection feature image The materials in this collection relate to Carl MaultsBy's activities as a composer, arranger, conductor, organist, keyboardist, singer, author and former music industry executive. Included are scores and recordings of his compositions as well as concert programs, photographs, notated music, sound recordings, videos and information about his performances and recordings.
Carl Tancredi Collection feature image Periodicals covering popular and rhythm & blues musicians and recordings, but primarily collected for their articles focusing on vocal harmony groups and quartettes of the 1950s-1960s. Also included are articles by Tancredi and airchecks from his internet radio program, "Work With Me Annie."
Charles Coleman Collection, 1929-1991 feature image This collection consists of printed and manuscript scores of music by Charles Coleman, including sacred and secular choral works, as well as ephemeral materials related to the composer.
Charles Connor Collection feature image Materials documenting the period Charles Connor, known as "Little Richard's original drummer," spent on the road with Little Richard, Sam Cooke, Dee Clark, Larry Williams, Chuck Willis, and others. Included are more recent articles, interviews, and audio recordings of Connor and an unpublished book manuscript.
Charles Sykes Collection feature image Research on the Motown Record Corp., including photographs, Motown-related videos and television programs, and audio and video interviews with vocalists, instrumentalists, arrangers, songwriters, producers, technical staff, management, and consumers. Interviews include Thomas "Beans" Bowles (saxophonist and first road manager of the Motor Town Revue), Maxwell Powell (image specialist at Motown's Division of Artist Development), Bobby Rogers and Ronald White (vocalists with the Miracles), Sylvia Moy (songwriter), and Michael McLean (audio technician).
Craig Seymour Collection feature image The collection consists of articles, clippings, and interviews compiled during research for Seymour's book, Luther: The Life and Longing of Luther Vandross (2004), and subsequent research on topics related to R&B musicians, black music genres, the black gay community and gay musicians. Also included are audiocassettes containing interviews conducted by Seymour with Luther Vandross, various R&B musicians and record company personnel, as well as a large collection of mixtapes and commercial CDs.
Craig Werner Interviews Collection feature image The collection consists of interviews conducted by Craig Werner with various musicians, including Bobby Womack, Ruth Donahue, Eddie Thomas, Johnny Meadows, and original members of Creedence Clearwater Revival.
David A collection of photographs of rhythm and blues musicians originally donated for use by Dr. Portia K. Maultsby and the Smithsonian Institution for the 1986 symposium and accompanying booklet and exhibition Rhythm and Blues, 1945-1955.
David Honeyboy Edwards Performance, 1998 feature image Honeyboy Edwards performing live at Indiana University for Professor Glenn Gass's History of Rock Music class, videotaped by the Archives of African American Music and Culture in Ballentine Hall 013.
Debbie May Collection feature image This collection consists of commercial gospel music videocassettes, commercial audio recordings, paper documents, schedules, promotional materials, photographs, and other ephemeral material related to Debbie May's career as a music producer.
Deborah Smith Pollard Collection feature image The Deborah Smith Pollard collection includes more than 200 gospel music magazines and other publications from the 1980s to 2000s. The collection also includes Pollard's gospel music television specials, over 50 interviews she conducted with gospel artists and industry figures, airchecks of Pollard's radio program "Strong Inspirations" and radio programs hosted by other announcers.
Denise Dalphond Collection feature image A collection of recorded interviews and transcripts, photographs, press clippings, posters, and research materials related to Detroit techno music. The bulk of the collection materials span the years 2007-2011 and include audio and written interviews with notable Detroit techno artists such as Derrick May, Juan Atkins, Carl Craig, Mike Banks, Anthony Shakir. Also included are video footage from Movement Festival and photographs from Dalphond's dissertation research.
DMC-USA Collection feature image Video documentation of the first decade of the annual DJ competitions in the United Stated and abroad, hosted by DMC (Disco Mix Club) and Technics. Includes World DJ Championships, World Mixing Championships, USA DJ Championship, and American Mixing Championship Finals.
Donald Porter Collection of The Spaniels Photographs feature image Photographs of Pookie Hudson and the Spaniels, including the Original Spaniels (whose members were from Gary, Indiana), the post-1956 Spaniels, and various later groups performing under the name Spaniels.
Donna Lawrence Collection feature image Materials documenting audiovisual exhibits produced by Donna Lawrence Productions.
Ed Castleberry Collection, 1951-1999 feature image The collection consists of personal papers, photographs, and a video documenting the career Ed Castleberry, a pioneering black radio disc jockey and newscaster.
Eddie Gilreath Collection feature image Eddie Gilreath was one of the first African American music industry professionals to hold executive level marketing and sales positions with major record labels including Motown, Warner Bros., Elektra Entertainment, Geffen, and MCA/Universal Distribution, promoting major artists across multiple genres. Included are personal papers and correspondence, marketing reports, press clippings, photographs, certified gold and platinum album plaques, clothing, and time-based media in both published and unpublished audio and video formats.
Edith Casteleyn Dutch Gospel Choirs Collection feature image Includes the personal papers of Edith Casteleyn, founder and director of Dutch community gospel choirs in the Netherlands, as well as scrapbooks, recordings, videos, clippings, programs, publicity materials, and photographs documenting the Soesterberg Gospel Choir, Friendship Gospel Choir, Life Line Gospel Choir, Alive! Gospel Choir, Rainbow Gospel Singers, and other choirs directed by Casteleyn.
Ericka Blount Danois Collection feature image Personal papers documenting her journalism career, including recordings of over 100 interviews conducted for her book, Love, Peace, and Soul: Behind the Scenes of America's Favorite Dance Show Soul Train (2013), as well as interviews with many other R&B, jazz, rock and rap musicians.
Evelyn Simpson-Curenton Collection feature image This collection spans the active career (1964-) of Evelyn Simpson-Curenton as well as holds materials highlighting the renowned Singing Simpsons, and Evelyn's sister, Joy Simpson. It consists of CDRs, LPs, DVDs, and home-video tapes; along with several concert programs, photographs, personal letters and more.
Every Voice and Sing Collection feature image Every Voice and Sing: The Choral Music Legacy of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities is a 5-part series on Black choral music that explores the social/political context of the Civil War/Reconstruction era that brought about the formation of these Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their amazing Singing Groups. The project is collaborative production of EVT Educational Productions, Inc. and JAZZ88.3FM WBGO Radio of Newark, New Jersey. The series was broadcast by over 240 public radio stations.
Extensions of the Tradition concert series feature image Extensions of the Tradition is an annual event featuring a concert of music by black composers with related exhibits and programs, co-sponsored by Indiana University's African American Arts Institute, the AAAMC, and the Jacobs School of Music. The event is documented through program booklets, flyers, photographs, and video and audio recordings.
Gayle Wald Collection of Rosetta Tharpe Materials feature image This collection includes clippings, sheet music, and one photograph related to gospel musician Rosetta Tharpe.
A large collection of publicity photographs compiled by the AAAMC, primarily of singers, musicians, and musical groups from the 1970s to 1990s.
George Nelson Collection, approximately 1950-1982 feature image Collection consists of black and white photographs from the 1950s through the early 1980s related to KYOK in Houston. Including are images documenting the activities of KYOK's deejays in the studio and surrounding communities, particularly in connection with listener contests and station-sponsored events such as dances and the "We Love You" concert. Also included are photographs of KYOK publicity materials and publicity photographs of many of the rhythm and blues artists, jazz, and blues artists featured on the station.
Gertrude Rivers Robinson Collection feature image The papers of Gertrude Rivers Robinson contain music manuscripts and sketches, correspondence, press clippings, class notes and coursework, lecture materials, audio recordings, photographs, slides, films and videos documenting her life and career as a composer, ethnomusicologist and pedagogue, including her research on the Balinese gamelan tradition.
Gospel News Journal feature image The collection includes 11 issues of the periodical Gospel News Journal. The collection does not contain a complete run of the Journal, but includes issues from Volumes 2-5, dating from 1966-1968.
Harry Allen Collection feature image Articles, magazines, radio programs, and interviews on hip hop music and culture by journalist and "media assassin" Harry Allen. The bulk of the collection documents Allen's visits to Indiana University and work with the Archives of African American Music & Culture.
Heather Augustyn Collection feature image The collection consists primarily of interviews regarding ska music and musicians conducted by Heather Augustyn. Also included in the collection are interview summaries, research files and ephemera, published books and recordings, and photographic prints and slides.
Helaine Victoria Press Postcard Collection feature image This collection consists of postcards focusing on women of the Harlem Renaissance, along with documentation, correspondence and research pertaining to Helaine Victoria Press.
Hot Buttered Soul Lecture Collection feature image Collection documenting the AAAMC's 2014 panel discussion and exhibit, Hot Buttered Soul: The Role of Foodways & Musicmaking in Building and Sustaining African American Communities, which explored the intersections between sacred and secular music genres and traditional foodways as signifiers of African American life and culture. Featured panelists include Psyche Williams-Forson, Tyron Cooper, Alisha Lola Jones, and Mellonee Burnim. Includes audio, video, image, and research files.
IU Soul Revue Alumni Interviews feature image This collection consists primarily of audio and video files of interviews with alumni of the IU Soul Revue and African American Arts Institute at Indiana University, including students, administrators, and directors of performing ensembles. The majority of the interviews were conducted with individuals who were members of the IU Soul Revue during its first ten years, under the direction of Dr. Portia K. Maultsby.
Jack A collection documenting the career of Black radio pioneer "Jockey Jack" Gibson. Includes a complete set of Mello Yello, the oldest black trade magazine targeted to Black radio and the music industry, published by Gibson from 1976-1996. Also included are original air-check tapes, an unreleased video documentary about Gibson, audio and video interviews with Jack Gibson and various colleagues, souvenir programs from "The Family Affair" (the oldest black radio and black music convention hosted by Jack Gibson), and photographs of radio personalities and rhythm & blues artists.
Materials documenting Gales Webb's career as an award-winning producer and host of "Sunday Afternoon Gospel Music Program" on 96.3 WHUR in Washington, DC. Includes interviews and production materials used in the public radio series Remembering Slavery and Jazz Singers, the television documentary Melodies from Heaven, the video for the Smithsonian Institution's exhibit Beyond Category: The Music of Duke Ellington, and her materials related to SC 39: Black Radio: Telling it Like it Was (a radio series also produced by Gales Webb).
James Brown Memorial Service Collection (Augusta, Georgia) feature image This collection documents the week surrounding the death of James Brown and the proceeding funeral ceremony. It also consists of documentation highlighting Brown's performance on the Indiana University, Bloomington campus a few months prior to his death.
James Spooner Collection, approximately 2000-2007 feature image Collection consists of casting, production, and promotional materials used by James Spooner in the production of his film White Lies, Black Sheep and materials associated with the film Afro-Punk including interview footage, promotional materials, film festival awards, and periodicals in which the film and/or Spooner was highlighted.
Jared Nickerson Collection feature image The Jared Nickerson Collection consists of one series relating to the press materials, magazines, newspaper clippings, and business transactions of the Black Rock Coalition (BRC) from 1987-1997.
Jock Hickman Photograph Collection feature image A collection of photographs of rhythm and blues musicians originally donated for use by Dr. Portia K. Maultsby and the Smithsonian Institution for the 1986 symposium and accompanying booklet and exhibition Rhythm and Blues, 1945-1955.
Jocko Henderson Collection, 1971-2003 feature image Doug "Jocko" Henderson was a pioneering "rapping" deejay primarily associated with Philadelphia radio station WDAS in the 1970s. Collection primarily documents Henderson's Get Ready company, which published materials to be used in schools to teach American history, spelling, and the dangers of drug abuse using rap lyrics. Also included is material documenting Henderson's bid for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in Pennsylvania. Materials include audiocassettes, teaching manuals, correspondence, photographs, business cards, press clippings, flyers, and other memorabilia.
Jodie Hearon Collection feature image Thirty-nine photographs depicting rural life in Mississippi circa 1953-1964.
John A. Jackson Collection feature image The collection consists of materials collected by Jackson during research for his book A House On Fire: The Rise and Fall of Philadelphia Soul. Includes audiocassettes of interviews conducted by Jackson primarily by telephone, interview transcripts, related articles, and book drafts.
John Richbourg Collection feature image Clippings, photographs, and audiocassette copies of airchecks compiled as "Sounds of the Fifties & Sixties" - radio programs as broadcast by well known WLAC deejay John R.
More than 300 record albums from the late 1950s through the early 1980s by various blues, gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock, funk, and disco artists; a video taped performance of Johnny Griffith and jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell; personal recordings and a musical score by Griffith; and a taped interview with Griffith and an interview transcript.
Johnny Otis and Bill Griffith Video Collection feature image Original video masters for thirteen Johnny Otis Show television programs, taped in a Los Angeles studio by Griffiths circa 1975 and featuring such guest artists as Delmar "Mighty Mouth" Evans, Marie Adams & the Three Tons of Joy, Joe Turner, Shuggie Otis, Pee Wee Crayton, and Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson. Also included are five hours of unedited footage from Johnny Otis's Oldies But Goodies musical revue, a live show in L.A. that featured popular artists of the rock & roll era lip-synching to their hit recordings. Taped by Griffith from 1975-1977, over 100 songs are performed by artists such as Emma James, Richard Berry, the Penguins, the Coasters, Shirley & Lee, Ted Taylor, Bobby Day, and the Medallions.
Johnny Otis Collection feature image Approximately 800 radio aircheck tapes of radio programs of black popular music (live and prerecorded), hosted by Johnny Otis, and featuring live interviews with blues and rhythm & blues artists from the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. Artists interviewed include Little Esther Phillips, Al Frazier, Mary Wells, Zola Taylor, the Coasters, Horace Silver, the Robins, Etta James, Big Jay McNeely, Bobby Day, Bumps Blackwell, Pee Wee Crayton, Jimmy McCracklin, and Joe Liggins. Also included are photographs, memorabilia, books, and compact discs.
Karen Shearer Collection, 1935-1996, bulk 1974-1992 feature image Collection consists primarily of interview transcripts, program transcripts, and artist publicity materials used in the production of the Westwood One Radio programs Special Edition, That's Country Music, Rock Chronicles, My Top Ten, and History of Rock 'n Roll. It also contains materials from various specials including programs on Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones.
Katherine Lewis Collection, approximately 1949-1999 feature image Collection consists of materials related to Lewis's work at the WERD radio station in the 1950s and '60s. Founded by Jesse B. Blayton, Sr. in October 1949 in Atlanta, Georgia, WERD was the first black owned and operated radio station in the United States. The collection materials comprise 7 black and white and 7 color photographs documenting WERD's early history. Content includes the exterior of the WERD studio building, publications related to WERD such as photographs of an issue of The Printed WERD, and a portrait of J.B. Blayton Sr.
Lee Bailey Collection, 1990-1998 feature image The collection consists primarily of audio tapes of two radio programs produced by Bailey Broadcasting Services: The Hip Hop Countdown & Report (1991-1998) and RadioScope: The Entertainment Magazine of the Air (1990-1996). Press releases for RadioScope broadcasts are also included.
Scrapbook, press materials, and recordings documenting Tillery's career as lead singer for the Los Angeles rock band The Loading Zone, as well as her work with the Cultural Heritage Choir and other groups.
Logan H. Westbrooks Collection feature image The collection of music industry professional Logan H. Westbrooks contains professional and personal papers, photographs, sound recordings, video recordings, digital files, posters, books, memorabilia, artifacts and other material documenting his life and work from the 1930s through the 2010s. Professional papers pertain to his employment at Capitol Records, Mercury Records, CBS Records, CBS International, Soul Train Records, Source Records, and his management firm Ascent Music Inc. Personal papers pertain to his upbringing in Memphis, TN, the Church of God in Christ, lectures at California State University and Indiana University, philanthropic activities, and civic service. Topics include African American music industry executives; record labels; recording industry in United States, Africa, and Jamaica; African American musicians; black churches; rhythm and blues, soul, jazz, and funk music; radio and African American disc jockeys.
The collection consists of materials related to Smithsonian Institution programs, including the Duke Ellington Youth Project, in addition to gospel sheet music and related research materials from George's personal collection.
The collection spans the years 1955-2020; The earliest materials are LPs released between 1955 and 1974, while the papers are dated from 2012 and after. Materials consist primarily of records, radio interviews, and magazines discussing the Pastor Maceo L. Woods, as well the Charles Harrison Mason Historical Society.
Marietta Simpson Collection feature image The collection consists primarily of programs, newspaper and magazine clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, awards, correspondence, memorabilia, posters, clothing, audio recordings and video related to Marietta Simpson's career.
Music promoter Mark del Costello has assembled archival footage of black performers, as well as souvenir programs, posters, and photographs related to shows he has produced.
The collection consists primarily of materials collected during research for Mahon's book Right to Rock: The Black Rock Coalition and the Cultural Politics of Race (Duke University Press, 2004). Includes photographs, promotional postcards and fliers, posters, newspaper clippings, concert programs, and ephemera. Audiovisual media includes commercial CDs and audiocassettes, and videocassettes with television and live performance clips.
The collection includes Burnim's dissertation research on African American religious music conducted primarily in Indiana between 1976-1979 with an emphasis on gospel music performance and practice; and post-dissertation research on African and African American religious music conducted between 1980-1996 in the U.S., Cuba, Liberia, and Malawi. Also included is documentation of the 1984 Smithsonian American Folklife Festival and gospel sheet music. The collection was primarily recorded on analog audio formats and includes audiocassettes, open reel tapes, videocassettes, open reel video, slides, sheet music, song texts, and additional documentation.
Michael Graham Photograph Collection feature image A collection of 26 photos copied from the personal collection of Michael Graham for use by Portia K. Maultsby and the Smithsonian Institution for the 1986 symposium and accompanying booklet and exhibition, Rhythm and Blues, 1945-1955.
Michael Jackson Commemorative Publications Collection feature image A collection of Michael Jackson commemorative publications assembled by staff.
Michael Lydon Collection, 1977-1997, bulk 1995-1997 feature image Collection includes audiocassette recordings of interviews about Ray Charles for Lydon's book Ray Charles : Man and Music (2004), a radio series about Ray Charles based on Lydon's book, complete or partial transcripts for many of the interviews organized loosely into book chapters, interviews with and about other African American musicians, class lectures given by Lydon at Indiana University and related publicity materials, and original music performed by Lydon.
The Michael McAlpin Collection consists primarily of print materials used in the production of the PBS television documentary Record Row: the Cradle of Rhythm and Blues. Included are production materials and interview transcripts created during Dr. Portia Maultsby's collaboration on the project as AAAMC director as well as VHS tapes of the rough cut, final broadcast version, and local coverage of the documentary.
Michael Nixon Collection feature image The Michael Nixon collection is comprised of papers relating to his entertainment company, various collected magazines with subjects pertaining to hip hop, RnB, and black culture. The collection also has photographs depicting his life and career as a management executive.
Michael Woods Collection feature image Programs, press releases, audio recordings, and manuscript charts for jazz compositions composed by Hamilton College music professor Michael "Doc" Woods.
Mickey Tucker Collection feature image Papers, photographs, music manuscripts of original jazz and classical compositions, sound recordings and videos documenting the career of jazz pianist Mickey Tucker.
This collection consists of books, papers, sheet music, posters, photographs, CDs, and DVDRs documenting the artistic life of Mike Johnson, "Country Music's No. 1 Black Yodeler."
A collection of commercial compact discs, audio cassettes, videotapes, LPs, and books on rap music and hip hop culture. Also included is a copy of White's MA thesis, "The High Fidelity Turntable System and the Creation of Hip Hop Music" (Univ. of Washington, 1996), supplemented by video footage of DJs demonstrating turntable techniques.
The complete catalog of Mr. R&B Records, a reissue label based in Sweden, including nearly 200 LPs of blues, rhythm and blues, jazz, and gospel music from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Magazines and articles collected by Murray Forman during research for his book, The 'Hood Comes First: Race, Space, and Place in Rap and Hip-Hop (Wesleyan University, 2002).
The collection consists primarily of materials collected during research for Nelson George's book Where Did Our Love Go?: The Rise and Fall of the Motown Sound (St. Martin's Press, 1985). This includes interviews (audiocassettes and transcripts), photographs, newspaper clippings, magazines, photocopies of legal documents, manuscripts, and correspondence.
Personal papers consisting of published and unpublished articles and liner notes by Nations, primarily on the topics of early rhythm and blues and gospel music. Also included are the audio files for nearly 500 gospel music CDs issued by Nations on his Pewburner Records label.
Patrice Rushen Lectures at Indiana University feature image This collection includes press clippings, publicity materials, photographs, programs, CDs, and audio and video documenting Patrice Rushen's lectures and performance at Indiana University in April 1997.
Research materials and recordings collected by Turner for her two groundbreaking discographies Afro-American Singers: An Index and Preliminary Discography of Long-Playing Recordings of Opera, Choral Music, and Song (1977) and the Dictionary of Afro-American Performers: 78 rpm and Cylinder Recordings of Opera, Choral Music, and Songs, c. 1900-1949 (1990). Includes 78 rpm records, cylinder recordings and sheet music, many documenting the works of early Black composers, as well as interpretations of their music by white artists. Though primarily focused on classical vocal music and musical theater, recordings also include performances by jubilee and gospel quartet groups, blues, rhythm and blues, and jazz musicians. Research files include 5 boxes of programs, clippings and photographs of Black artists and composers.
Selection of DVDs documenting the Indianapolis television series "Hit Makers Showcase," a local talent show produced by Middlebrook that aired from 1983-1989. Also includes a DVD with a performance by the Indianapolis group The PHDs, and the CD Old School Songs of Love by Middlebrook.
PBS Artist Publicity Photographs feature image A collection of 100 publicity photographs of Black artists featured in PBS television programs from approximately 1972-1989.
Personal papers, audio and video recordings, posters, costumes and memorabilia documenting the career of the country soul singer-songwriter.
The Phyl Garland Collection consists primarily of personal papers, including original typescripts for Garland's columns in Ebony and Stereo Review, and related research and photographs. Also included are 41 original audiocassette recordings of interviews conducted by Garland (except as noted) primarily with various African American musicians, artists, and filmmakers. Topics include African American composers and musicians as well as various genres of music including, but not limited to, jazz, R&B, soul, rock, classical, and blues. Record company publicity materials include publicity photos and press releases for over 900 artists.
Series G, "Music Industry Interviews," consists of transcripts and audiocassettes of interviews primarily conducted by Portia K. Maultsby between 1981-1986 as part of her research on the Black music industry. The remainder of the series in this collection are still in the process of being accessioned and are unavailable for general research and public use.
Prince Commemorative Publications, 1991-2018 feature image A collection of Prince commemorative publications assembled by the AAAMC following the artist's death on April 21, 2016.
Research on the Black gospel quartet tradition including recorded interviews, transcripts, programs, sheet music, hymnals, subject files, sound recordings and videos.
This collection consists of documentation and one-on-one interviews from the AAAMC's two-day conference on Black rock hosted on the Indiana University-Bloomington campus on November 13-14, 2009. The conference and related activities were open to local and regional musicians, scholars, students, and brought together Black rock musicians from different generations and regions with music critics and scholars to discuss the socio-political history, musical developments, and the future of Black rock.
Regina Jones Collection of SOUL Magazines feature image A collection of SOUL and Soul Illustrated magazines published in Los Angeles from 1966-1982.
Materials compiled during the production of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation's Let the Good Times Roll, a series of hour-long radio programs hosted by Jerry "The Iceman" Butler and distributed by National Public Radio. Included are photographs, transcripts of interviews with various musicians featured on the shows, publicity materials, and a complete set of the radio programs on compact disc.
Rick Roberts Collection, approximately 1957-1979 feature image Collection consists primarily of materials related to Roberts's work at KYOK-AM in the 1960s and '70s including images of KYOK sponsored events such as the "We Love You" concert and associated publicity materials, a beauty pageant, radio contests, and on-site broadcasts throughout Houston. Also included are photographs of KYOK radio personalities and staff as well as candid and publicity photographs of visiting R&B artists.
Rita Organ Photograph Collection feature image Publicity photographs, including movie and television stills, of African American musicians representing classical, jazz, gospel, soul and rhythm and blues genres.
Bob Marovich is a gospel music historian, author, and radio host. This collection consists of one series made up of recordings and transcripts of interviews that Marovich conducted with a variety of gospel music pioneers while writing A City Called Heaven: Chicago and the Birth of Gospel Music. The interviews discuss the musicians' lives and careers, as well as spirituality and the gospel genre as a whole.
Ronald C. Lewis Collection feature image The Ronald Lewis collection contains press releases, article clippings, concert flyers, posters, advertisements, sound recordings and video documenting Lewis' career as a musician, record label owner, and producer in Louisville, KY.
The collection consists of research materials, including press releases, newspaper and magazine clippings, and interviews related to Sarig's book Third Coast: OutKast, Timbaland, and How Hip-Hop Became a Southern Thing (Da Capo Press, 2007). The collection documents Southern hip hop ranging from Houston to Miami to Virginia Beach, and focuses on key artists in each state.
Collection documenting the AAAMC's October 2006 conference at Indiana University featuring Detroit deejays Juan Atkins, Mike Clark, Terrence Parker, Cornelius Harris, DJ Minx, Theo Parish, Rick Wilhite, Malik Pittman. Moderators include Denise Dalphond and Beverly May. Included are photographs and video files of the conference panels and the closing concert at the Second Story Night Club, research materials, and commercial recordings donated by participants.
Rowena Stewart IU Lectures feature image Press materials, itinerary, promotional materials, and media recordings from Rowena Stewart's 2001 lecture at Indiana University, "Music: An Interpretative Voice in the Extraordinary World of Museums."
Skipper Lee Frazier Collection, approximately 1970s-1980s feature image Photographs documenting the career of Houston deejay Skipper Lee Frazier, copied from his personal collection. Additional photo descriptions with biographical information transcribed from an interview with Frazier are available in accession folder. The collection consists of 12 b&w photographs with negatives primarily documenting Skipper Lee Frazier's activities in connection with KCOH in Houston during the 1970s and '80s.
This collection consists primarily of interviews conducted by AAAMC assistant director Stephanie Shonekan and director Portia K. Maultsby for the exhibit, Something in the Water : The Sweet Flavor of Dayton Funk, hosted by the National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center in Wilberforce, Ohio. The exhibit was organized by NAAMCC curator Michael Sampson and Portia K. Maultsby with consultation by Ricky Vincent and was on display from October 3, 1998 through February through February 1999.
Soul and Funk: the Naptown Sound Collection feature image The collection consists primarily of interviews conducted by AAAMC Project Manager Jason Housley for the 2005-2006 Indiana Historical Society Exhibit, "Soul and Funk: The Naptown Sound," as well as related production materials and photographs.
Selection of 45rpm singles issued in the 1960s-1980s on record labels owned by Stan Lewis in Shreveport, Louisiana. Includes rhythm and blues, blues, and gospel music on Jewel Records and Stan's Record Division subsidiary labels Ronn Records, Paula Records, Susie Q Records, and Head.
Collection of recorded performances and interviews with blues musicians conducted from 1995-1998 in Bloomington, Indianapolis, and Chicago that were utilized in Oehler's dissertation, "Aesthetics and Meaning in Professional Blues Performances: An Ethnographic Examination of an African American Music in intercultural Context" (Indiana University, 2001). Also included are several tapes recorded in Ghana in 1995 that document Ghanaian performing arts.
Assorted magazines and memorabilia on various topics related to Black culture.
Teresa Hairston Collection feature image Collection includes magazines published by Teresa Hairston including Gospel Today, Gospel Industry Today and Score, as well as materials used in the production of the magazine including interviews (audio), publicity photographs, and press releases related to gospel artists, preachers, organizations, and the music industry. There is extensive documentation (images, videos) of the annual Gospel Heritage Festival, the Gospel Today television series, Gospel Heritage Praise & Worship Conference, and other events and productions managed by Hairston. Also included are over 5000 commercial sound recordings (CD, LP, audiocassette) and commercially produced videos and DVDs of gospel music and religious programs. The latter are being added to IUCAT and can be searched using the keywords "Teresa Hairston Collection" (follow this link to search results)
The Afro-American in Indiana radio series feature image Audio recordings of taped radio show episodes, primarily from the series The Afro-American in Indiana, but also including the additional programs Reflections in Black and Black Heritage, as well as a radio special and recordings from a NAACP convention. The radio shows, hosted by Fr. Boniface Hardin, featured multiple high-profile guests. The episode topics includes sports, music, education, historiography, slavery, the American Civil War, Reconstruction, segregation, the Indiana Constitution, the United States Constitution, church, religion, the NAACP, WWI, WWII, medicine, black businesses, the Institute of Afro American Studies, prison, labor history, and more.
The Black Composer Speaks Collection, 1958-1987, bulk 1970-1977 feature image This collection includes interviews and research materails used for the production of the book The Black Composer Speaks (1978), a project initiated by the Afro-American Arts Institute at Indiana University, and co-edited by Lida M. Belt, David N. Baker and Herman C. Hudson. The majority of the interviews were conducted by Lida Belt (Baker).
Tom Draper Collection, 1970-1998 feature image Draper's collection documents the career of an African American music executive and covers his tenures at RCA Records and Warner Bros. Records.
Books and videos documenting black music in Los Angeles.
Tony Douglas Collection of Jackie Wilson Photographs feature image A small collection of photographs from the 1950s-1960s. The bulk of the photographs feature Jackie Wilson. Also included is early Motown recording artist Gino Parks.
Travis Gardner Collection, approximately 1960s-1970s feature image Black radio photograph collection documenting events and personnel, including photos with rhythm and blues musicians, at Houston station KCOH in the 1960s and 1970s. Photographs were copied from the personal collection of Gardner. Accompanied by a transcription of an interview with Gardner which includes descriptions of each photograph.
Undine Smith Moore Collection feature image This collection consists of published and manuscript scores of Moore's music, as well as photographs of Moore and videos containing performances and interviews.
Manuscript and printed scores, photographs, biographical material, and recordings by Black composers active from 1950 to present.
Vy Higginsen Collection, 1982-2012 feature image The collection consists primarily of materials related to the gospel musicals Mama, I Want to Sing ; Mama, I Want to Sing II; and Born to Sing! Mama 3. It includes scripts, programs, promotional materials, posters, photographs, videos, and sound recordings. Records of the Mama Foundation include programs, press clippings, publicity, and posters.
Wade in the Water Collection feature image A 26-part series on gospel music conceived and hosted by Bernice Johnson Reagon and produced by National Public Radio. The series is accompanied by a curriculum guide.
Over 200 radio programs on black popular music from the 1970s and 1980s produced by Karen Shearer Productions for Westwood One. The programs include narration, interviews and recordings by artists such as the O'Jays, Tina Turner, Bobby Bland, Curtis Mayfield, Natalie Cole, B. B. King, Little Richard, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool & the Gang, War, Patti LaBelle, the Staple Singers, the Spinners, Isaac Hayes, Diana Ross, the Jacksons, Peabo Bryson, the Commodores, Ashford & Simpson, Larry Graham, Isley Brothers, Barry White, George Benson, Aretha Franklin, the Pointer Sisters, Patrice Rushen, the Dells, Al Green, the Chi-Lites, Parliament-Funkadelic, Deniece Williams, the Ohio Players, Jerry Butler, Johnnie Taylor, the Four Tops, Teddy Pendergrass, Herbie Hancock, Booker T. and the MGs, Quincy Jones, the Temptations, Donna Summer, Zapp, and Luther Vandross. Transcriptions are available for some interviews and programs. This collection is jointly held with the Archives of Traditional Music at Indiana University.
What Must Be Done radio series, 1968 feature image These materials comprise a thirteen-part radio series of public service broadcasts produced by Sam Chase for WLIB radio in New York in cooperation with Newsweek Magazine.
Collection documenting the AAAMC's 2011 conference Why We Sing: Indianapolis Gospel Music in Church, Community, and Industry. Participants include Al Hobbs, Leonard Scott, Sherri Garrison, Rodnie Bryant, Lamar Campbell, Thomas A. Hill, Liz Dixson, and Tracy Williamson. Conference documentation includes photographs and video files of the three panels, pre-conference interviews with panelists, and the closing concert. Also included are images and research files related to the accompanying exhibit, and audio and video files of post-conference interviews with Carla Poindexter, Kenneth Woods, Jr., and Rev. Melvin B. Girton about the history of gospel music in Indianapolis.
William Banfield Collection feature image This collection consists of manuscript scores of Banfield's music, promotional and ephemeral material relating to Banfield, and recordings and transcripts of interviews that Banfield conducted with a variety of African-American composers as well as recordings of Banfield's radio show, Landscapes in Color.
Personal papers related primarily to Black radio, including press clippings, published and unpublished articles, and other research materials used by Barlow for his monograph Voice Over: The Making of Black Radio (Temple University Press, 1999). Also included are Barlow's interviews with various blues artists and some recorded performances, collected during the course of research for his book "Looking Up at Down": The Emergence of Blues Culture (Temple University Press, 1989).
This collection documents the activities of Dr. Winona Fletcher as Producing Director of the Indiana University Afro-American Arts Institute's 1986 revival of the Federal Theatre Project's 1939 production Prelude to Swing, entitled Prelude to Swing +50.
The collection consists primarily of CD-R copies of the radio series "Lessons in Jazz," produced by Kevin Anderson for MD Illegal Rap Radio. The series began airing in 2002 on Hampton University's student radio station WHOV 88.1 FM. Co-hosts of the series are Marcel "Big Cel" Canady and Montez "The Wiz" Martin.