Birmningham, Jefferson County, Big Band music, trumpet, Alabama State Teachers College,Fess Whatley, Ensley, Tuxedo Junction, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame Watch and Listen: "After Hours" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CYQ6YZHMEE "Tuxedo Junction" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFeFaZoj2QY "Tippin' In" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWc0ObIJydc
Erskine Hawkins (July 26, 1914 - November 11, 1993) When philanthropists donate money to various organizations, schools and charities, most often the result is either a building named in in their honor, or a scholarship, or even a seat on a board of directors. Alabama industrialist Erskine Ramsay took this one step further, by opening savings accounts for families who would name their newborn sons after him. And while most of children did not achieve any amount of celebrity, one did, as a bandleader and trumpeter whose contemporaries included Louis Armstrong. Erskine Ramsay Hawkins was born on July 26, 1914, in Birmingham, Alabama. Erskine early on demonstrated musical proficiency. As a student at the Tuggle Institute, a private African-American boys school in Birmingham, Erskine learned to play the drums, trombone and saxophone. But it was the trumpet that would eventually elevate Hawkins to the heights he eventually reached. Under the tutelage of famed director J.T. “Fess” Whatley, Erskine not only learned how to master the trumpet, but how to read music, as well. After graduating from Tuggle, Hawkins attended the Alabama State Teachers College in Montgomery, Alabama, on an athletic scholarship. Soon, Erskine was spending more time on the stage than on the ballfield. Leading first, the ‘Bama State Revelers, then the ‘Bama State Collegians, Erskine started to show the ability to reach notes on the trumpet thought too high to reach. This ability later led his being called “The Twentieth Century Gabriel.” As the band became more and more popular, causing the group, all students at the college, to miss more classes than they attended, they all soon left school to pursue their musical careers full-time. Leaving Alabama, “Erskine Hawkins and his ‘Bama State Collegians” soon found themselves as one of the house bands at the famed Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. Famed as the place where the “Lindy Hop” was developed, the Savoy was one of the premier venues for music during and after the Harlem Renaissance. It was here that Erskine and the band, now simply called “Erskine Hawkins and His Orchestra” signed with RCA Victor and began cutting records on their Bluebird label. It was also here that Erskine co-wrote what would become his signature song, “Tuxedo Junction.” The title of the songs refers to an area in the Ensley neighborhood of Erskine’s hometown of Birmingham. Tuxedo Park was an area where the lines of the Wylam and Pratt City streetcars crossed, and where a jazz and dance club was located, hence, “Tuxedo Junction.” While Hawkins’ version reached #7 on the National Hit Parade in 1939, it is Glenn Miller’s #1 1940 rendition that most are familiar with. While Erskine penned other songs, like “Don’t Cry Baby” (#11 – Pop, 1943) “After Hours” (#3 R&B – 1946) and “Tippin’ In” (#1 R&B -1945) which were hits, “Tuxedo Junction” is his most famous. Often, when playing the Savoy, the band would sign off with that song to keep the crowds dancing as the next band came to the stage. By the 1950s, the Savoy had closed and Erskine, due to rising costs, had downsized his orchestra, although he would reunite the orchestra on special occasions. During the 1960s, he was a frequent player at the Embers Club in New York City, and, from 1967 to 1993, was the bandleader in the nightclub in The Concord Resort Hotel in Kiamesha Lake, New York, located in the Catskills of New York, about two hours upstate from New York City. Among the many honors that Erskine Hawkins received during his lifetime is an honorary doctorate in music from Alabama State Teachers College in 1947, was one of the first inductees into the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1978, and a Lifework Award and induction into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1989. Also, the park that inspired the name of Tuxedo Junction was renamed Erskine Hawkins Park in his honor. On November 11, 1993, Erskine Hawkins passed away in Willingboro, New Jersey.
John Griffin, University of North Alabama
Alabama Music Hall of Fame: Erskine Hawkins http://www.alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1989/erskine-hawkins/ Accessed December 4, 2016 Erskine Hawkins http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-1365/ Accessed December 4, 2016 Erskine Hawkins http://www.allmusic.com/artist/erskine-hawkins-his-orchestra-mn0000206380/biography/ Accessed December 4, 2016 Erskine Hawkins http://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/erskine-hawkins/ Accessed December 4, 2016 Obituary: Erskine Hawkins http://articles.latimes.com/1993-11-14/news/mn-56807_1_tuxedo-junction/ Accessed December 4, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
Florence, Lauderdale County, Hank Williams, Tree International, Dolly Parton, Curley Putnam, Country music, Pop music, R&B music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Buddy Killen (November 13, 1932 - November 1, 2006) There are countless musicians, singers and entertainers in the world that, for lack of that big break, never reach the pinnacle, in spite of the fact that they may have just as much, if not more, talent than others who become household names. Chances are that someone with the talent of Elvis Presley would have somehow reached some level of notoriety, but what remains unknown is if this would have been possible without the big break he received from Buddy Killen, who pitched him his first million-selling single, “Heartbreak Hotel." William Doyce Killen was born on November 13, 1932, in the hometown of W.C. Handy, Florence, Alabama. Growing up poor in the American South during this time was a way of life for many families and Buddy’s was no exception. As a child and into his teen years, music was his escape. His first band, the Hillbilly Pals, was formed during his childhood. The Dixie Ramblers, his second, performed on local radio. The day after graduating from high school, Buddy was offered the chance to play bass for a pair of comedians on the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville, Tennessee. Buddy never hesitated, moving to Nashville, where he soon found himself playing and traveling with such Opry stars as Hank Williams, George Morgan, Ray Price and Jim Reeves, becoming acquainted with many of the people who ran country music scene behind the stage curtain. One of those people proved to be Buddy’s big break in 1953. Jack Stapp was running his publishing company, Tree International, on his own. As Buddy tells it, “I was doing demos for Tree at $10 a session, and Jack would come into the studio and ask me to get together with this singer or that writer. It went well and Jack asked me if I would come to work for him. The job would pay $35 a week and I said yes. I began picking up songs and getting them recorded. We didn’t have an office. I would carry a tape recorder around begging for songs. It was a sheer case of determination.” That determination paid off for Buddy, as he would be made a partner in Tree, eventually rising to president, and eventually, when Stapp passed away in 1980, sole owner. Along the way, he helped several artists reap the reward of their own sheer determination, starting with Elvis Presley in 1956. Another who benefited from Killen’s confidence was 14-year-old Dolly Parton, who Killen signed to a recording contract in 1960. Roger Miller, too, was a beneficiary of Buddy’s ability to spot talent, both writing and performing. Miller would go on to write hit songs for Ray Price, Jim Reeves, and Bill Anderson. Buddy also continued to write songs himself, including the #1 hit “I May Never Get to Heaven” (Conway Twitty – 1979), as well as Ronnie McDowell's #4 hit "Watchin' Girls Go By," released in 1981. In all, Buddy had 19 Top-40 hits that appeared on Billboards Country, Pop, R&B and A/C charts between 1961 and 1986. In 1989, after almost ten years at the helm of Tree International Publishing, Buddy sold the company to CBS/Sony for a reported $30-40 million. In 1993, his autobiography, “By the Seat of My Pants: My Life in Country Music,” was published by Simon & Schuster. Along the way, Buddy picked up many accolades and awards, including being a member of the first class of inductees to the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985, along with Nat “King” Cole, Hank Williams, and W.C. Handy. Buddy Killen passed away on November 1, 2006. Watch and Listen: "Heartbreak Hotel - Elvis Presley" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4euyTDhFnk "I May Never Get to Heaven - Conway Twitty" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47D2omht1BI "Watchin' Girls Go By - Ronnie McDowell" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ychMkvLV87w "Ain't Gonna Bump No More - Joe Tex" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56tBm7nJ1QM
Buddy Killen; Alabama Music Hall of Fame http://www.alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1985/buddy-killen/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Buddy Killen http://www.allmusic.com/artist/buddy-killen-mn0000640267/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Buddy Killen obituary http://www.cmt.com/news/1544585/nashville-music-pioneer-buddy-killen-dies/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Buddy Killen obituary http://www.nashvillepost.com/home/article/20400528/buddy-killen-passes-away-at-73/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Killen, Buddy, and Carter, Tom. “By the Seat of My Pants: My Life in Country Music.” New York: Simon & Schuster, 1993. All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
Center Star, Lauderdale County, FAME Studios, Rick Hall, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Dan Penn, R&B music, Soul music, Rock and Roll Hall of fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Spooner Oldham (June 14, 1943 - ) The writing credits of Spooner Oldham read like a jukebox selection. From Percy Sledge to Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett to Janis Joplin, Spooner is at the heart of what has come to be called “The Muscle Shoals Sound.” Born June 14, 1943, in Center Star, Alabama, a community so small it hasn’t been listed on the U.S. census rolls since 1880, Dewey Lindon Oldham, Jr., comes from a family with a musical background. His father played in a band when Spooner was young child, and, per Spooner, he would just “sit over in the corner and watch them,” as his father and bandmates would practice out on the porch. It was also as a child when Spooner “accidently” acquired his nickname. Reaching for pan on the stove, he was left blind in his right eye when it was injured by a spoon. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began playing piano for local bands while in high school. After graduation, Spooner briefly attended the University of North Alabama in Florence, but dropped out soon after realizing he was skipping more classes than he attended, preferring to Rick Hall’s FAME Studios to learn his trade against that of an official classroom. It was there that Spooner started on his journey to becoming one of the premier sidemen in music. In this role, Spooner played keyboards on some of the most successful songs to come out of, first FAME Studios, then Muscle Shoals Sound Studios. Songs like Percy Sledge’s “When a Man Loves a Woman” (1966), Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally” (1966), and Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You” (1967), all saw Spooner on keyboard. Spooner also played on Franklin’s signature song, “Respect” (1967), recording at Atlantic Records Studio in New York City in 1967. Shortly afterwards, Spooner headed west to Memphis, where he connected with a songwriting partner he had met while at FAME, Dan Penn. Together they had written the James & Bobby Purify hit, “I’m Your Puppet” (1966), while both were still at FAME. Reconnecting in Memphis, the duo continued to churn out songs, including those recorded by The Box Tops (“Cry Like a Baby”-1968) and Percy Sledge (“It Tears Me Up”-1967). The assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Memphis, in April of 1968, was a turning point for Spooner. The once-open racial atmosphere of R&B and soul, where all that mattered was your skill with music, took a hit with King’s murder, especially in the South, leading Spooner to make the move to Los Angeles, where things were somewhat like they used to be. The next decade saw Spooner recording with the likes of Linda Ronstadt and Neil Young. Relocating once more, this time to Nashville, Spooner toured extensively with Young and with Bob Dylan, with whom he had worked on Dylan’s 1980 gospel album, “Saved.” 1984 saw one of Spooner’s older songs become a hit on the country charts when Steve Wariner recorded “Lonely Women Make Good Lovers,” which went all the way up to number four. In the 1990s, Spooner returned home to Alabama, settling down in Rogersville, just up Highway 72 from Center Star. Returning to his roots hasn’t slowed Spooner down, as he has gone out on tour with his writing partner Dan Penn several times, as well as going out on the road with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on their 2006 “Freedom of Speech” tour, and with the Drive-By Truckers, the Athens, Georgia-based band co-founded by Patterson Hood, the son of Spooner’s former Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section partner, David Hood. For his contributions to the music industry, Spooner Oldham was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2008, the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame in 2009, where he was inducted by Paul Shaffer, sidekick to David Letterman on both his late-night talk shows, and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2014. Watch and Listen: "I'm Your Puppet - Spooner Oldham, Dan Penn" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nnLE-aBoPQ "Paul Schafer Inducts Spooner Oldham into R&R Hall of Fame" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGQiPUTu3z4 Spooner Oldham R&R Hall of Fame Speech" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AP8B24ap0m8 "RESPECT - Aretha Franklin" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzPXozDgvYs "Two In The Morning - Spooner Oldham" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tehBrFqX1iw
Spooner Oldham Biography http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-2510/ Accessed December 2, 2016 Spooner Oldham discography http://www.allmusic.com/artist/spooner-oldham-mn0000155405/discography/ Accessed December 2, 2016 Dan Penn-Spooner Oldham interview http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music-good-ol-boys-in-the-hood-1123527.html Accessed December 2, 2016 Spooner Oldham bio - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/spooner-oldham/ Accessed December 2, 2016 Dan Penn-Spooner Oldham interview http://www.furious.com/PERFECT/pennoldham.html/ December 2, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
Phil Campbell, Franklin County, Country music, R&B music, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, Charlie Rich, Grand Ole Opry, Musicians Hall of fame, Country Music Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Billy Sherrill (November 5, 1936 - August 4, 2015) If at any point during the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s you listened to a song by George Jones, Tammy Wynette, or Charlie Rich, chances are very good that song was either written, produced, or both, by Billy Sherrill. As just a songwriter alone, his influence is considerable. But when combined with his production prowess and his ability to find new talent and guide them towards music that fit their style of singing, Billy reaches legendary status in not just the country music world, but music in general and internationally. Billy Norris Sherrill was born on November 5, 1936, in the small rural town of Phil Campbell, Alabama. His father was an evangelist who Billy would often accompany on his revival tours, playing piano for the services. After playing with various jazz and blues bands in the South in his late teens to early twenties, Billy moved to Nashville in 1962, where he took on the job of managing the Nashville studios of Sam Phillips’ Sun Records. When Phillips sold those studios in 1963, Billy moved over as a producer to Epic Records, a division of Columbia Records, which, at the time, was recording mainly country artists out of its Nashville studios. Since Billy, despite having grown up in the south, had little exposure professionally to the country sound (his main areas of expertise being blues, jazz, and rock and roll), the sound that he did produce was a hybrid of country and pop, a forerunner of the “countrypolitan” sound that would soon move country music from a regional to a national and worldwide audience. It was also here at Epic that Billy became a major player in the country music scene. His first success was with David Houston, who recorded “Livin’ in a House Full of Love,” written by Billy and Glenn Sutton, in 1965. The song reached #3 on Billboard’s country chart in that same year. Houston’s next single, “Almost Persuaded,” also penned by Sherrill and Sutton, spent 9 weeks at #1 on the country charts in 1966, winning the Grammy for Best Country & Western song in 1967, the first of two that Billy would win as songwriter. It was at around this time that Billy met the singer with whom he would be most closely associated with, Tammy Wynette. Billy signed the former hairdresser to Epic after she auditioned for him, and changed her stage name from Wynette Byrd to Tammy Wynette, thinking it would be a better move for her career. From that time, she became Billy’s student and a recording artist for whom he would write some of her biggest songs, including “You’re Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad,” “I Don’t Wanna Play House,” and her signature song, “Stand By Your Man.” In 1969, Wynette married George Jones, which led to a partnership between not only she and Jones, but also Billy and George. Producing such songs as “The Ceremony” (1972, written by Sherrill), “We’re Gonna Hold On” (1973), and “Golden Ring” (1976), Jones and Sherrill continued their collaboration long after George and Tammy divorced in 1975. In fact, while much of his commercial success came with Wynette, Billy’s relationship with Jones was the one that lasted the longest. Billy produced what would become Jones' signature song, “He Stopped Loving Her Today.” It was Jones’ first number one hit in over six years, and is the one credited with reviving a career that had begun to flounder due to issues related to his behavior and performances. During this same time period, Billy also worked with the third member of what could be called his “Blessed Triumvirate,” Charlie Rich. With songs such as “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Most Beautiful Girl,” (1973), co-written by Sherrill, a lifelong collaboration was born. While not always commercially successful, the music that Charlie Rich produced under Billy is considered to be The Silver Fox's best. The pinnacle of the partnership was when Sherrill won the 1975 Grammy for Best Country Song with Charlie Rich’s recording of “A Very Special Love Song.” The list of additional artists for whom Billy produced or wrote is a veritable Who’s Who of Music. At one time or another, Billy worked with Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Andy Williams, Ray Conniff, and Elvis Costello. In 1980, Billy was named vice-president and executive producer of CBS/Nashville, retiring a few years later. Among the many awards and accolades afforded are countless CMA and AMA awards, and enshrinement in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame (1984), the Alabama Music Hall of Fame (1995), the Musicians Hall of Fame (2008), and the Country Music Hall of Fame (2010). Billy Sherrill died on August 4, 2015. Watch & Listen: "Stand By Your Man - Tammy Wynette" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwBirf4BWew "He Stopped Loving Her Today - George Jones" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubKUP8c0FHE "The Most Beautiful Girl - Charlie Rich" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhqbESuc2v8 "Rules of the Game - Billy Sherrill" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rF5fofS_6Rk "Like Makin' Love - Billy Sherrill" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AWFYLnIzIU
AMHOF http://www.alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1995/billy-sherrill/ Accessed December 2, 2016 Billy Sherrill http://www.allmusic.com/artist/billy-sherrill-mn0000079180/biography/ Accessed December 2, 2016 Songs http://www.musicvf.com/songs.php?page=artist&artist=Billy+Sherrill&tab=songaswriterchartstab/ Accessed December 2, 2016 Billy Sherrill Dies http://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/2015/08/04/breaking-legendary-producer-billy-sherrill-dies/31110363/ Accessed December 2, 2016 Country Music HOF http://countrymusichalloffame.org/Inductees/InducteeDetail/billy-sherrill/ Accessed December 2, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
Hanceville, Cullman County, FAME Studios, Rick Hall, Clarence Carter, R&B music, Soul music, Gospel music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Candi Staton (March 13, 1940 - ) For many within the African-American community, the line between gospel and soul music is a thin one. A rhythm that pushes the music along, soaring vocals that inspire and lift the crowds out of their seats, freedom within the soul and within the music, all serve to drive both genres forward. No singer better represents this simultaneous confluence and divergence than soul and gospel artist Candi Staton. Born on March 13, 1940, in Hanceville, Alabama, Canzetta Maria Staton initially was involved in the gospel music scene from the mid-1950s to the mid-1960s. Before she was a teenager, Candi began attending the Jewell Christian Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. It was there that she and her sister, who also attended Jewell, were part of a group called the Jewell Gospel Trio. Recording several records that did little commercially, the trio toured the gospel circuit, singing along with such gospels greats as Mahalia Jackson and C.L. Franklin. By the end of the 1950s, Candy had left the group and returned home to Alabama, where she married, had four children, and then divorced her husband. It was in 1968 that, while working at a club in Birmingham, Alabama, she met Clarence Carter, who was recording for Atlantic Records at Rick Hall’s FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. Carter asked her to go on tour with him, but Candi was still married at the time. A year later, Clarence asked once again. Now divorced, she agreed. Over the course of the year, she and Clarence fell in love and were married in 1970. Her new husband also brought her to the attention of Rick Hall. With FAME Records, Candi recorded three albums. While the albums themselves were not huge sellers, they did produce four songs that reached Billboard’s R&B Top Ten charts, including a cover of Tammy Wynette’s hit, “Stand BY Your Man,” which reached #4 in 1971. In 1974, Candi, who had divorced Carter the year before, started recording for Warner Brothers, still working under the production skills of Rick Hall. Of working with Hall, Candi says that, “Rick would come to me and ask my opinion ‘Hey, do you think you can do this’. We didn’t have an arranger to come in and say ‘I’m gonna take this song and arrange it for Candi’. All of us had our opinions how the music should go, so we tried different things. If it didn’t work, we tried something else. Some day we worked on a song all day, and all night.” Her first album for Warner, “Candi,” produced the #6 R&B hit, “As Long As He Takes Care of Home.” It was her next album, "Young Hearts Run Free," that produced her sole #1 hit when the title track was released in 1976. Working with a new producer, David Crawford, and in a marriage that had turned abusive, Candi opened up to Crawford over the course of several conversations about her life. In response, he wrote the song as a way to help her give voice to her situation. Subsequent albums and singles proved to be less successful, and by 1981, disillusioned with the secular music industry, Candi had returned to her gospel roots. Married to her fourth husband, former Ashford & Simpson drummer John Sussewell, together they founded their own label, Beracah Ministries. Her return to gospel found her renewed and experiencing success once again. When the idea of returning to the world of soul music, Candi was initially reluctant. It was a conversation with her pastor sometime in the 1990s that changed her mind, in which he said, “Candi, those songs that you did in the 70s and in the 80s, they’re not bad songs. They’re good songs. Some of them you couldn’t sing because of the way you live now. Young Hearts Run Free wasn’t bad; Stand by Your Man – those songs are classics. Those songs were blessed. They raised your children, they bought you a home. Rethink it. You could go out and bless people again with those songs." Since then Candi has continued to release new material, while still revisiting her old hits that fans have come to know and love. Candi Staton was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2014, by her old friend, producer and mentor Rick Hall. Watch and Listen: "Young Hearts Run Free" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5x2PvC_PybY "He Called Me Baby" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txOo9T1jn5Y "Stand By Your Man" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbyStJWvajo "When There's Nothing Left But God" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kWVd5EMRyw "Interview - Candi Staton On Celebrating 40 Years Of Young Hearts Run Free" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPG_25-YctA
Candi Staton official website http://www.candi-staton.com/ Accessed December 6, 2016 Interview 2006 http://www.soulexpress.net/candistaton.htm/ Accessed December 6, 2016 Interview, 2011 http://www.soulexpress.net/deep2_2011.htm#candistaton/ Accessed December 6, 2016 Candi Staton discography http://www.allmusic.com/artist/candi-staton-mn0000542976/biography/ Accessed December 6, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted..
Tuscaloosa County, Birmingham, Erskine Hawkins, Cleve Eaton, Sun Ra, Big Band, Jazz, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Alabama State University
J.T. "Fess" Whatley (c. 1895 - January 12, 1972) If Alabama's musical heritage were to have a conductor, a teacher, that person would have to be J.T. “Fess” Whatley. In his tutelage of musicians, first at The Tuggle Institute in Birmingham, of which he was also a graduate, then Industrial High School in Birmingham, Whatley was influential in the careers of many who went on to play with various bands and orchestras, including those of Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Louis Armstrong. Born John Lewis Whatley sometime around 1895 in rural Tuscaloosa County, Alabama (his exact date of birth is unknown), Whatley’s father moved the family to Birmingham in 1906 so that John and his brother might be able to attend the Tuggle Institute. Originally conceived to give orphaned African-Americans a place to live and learn, the school was eventually opened to all, as racial segregation closed off many public schools to blacks. John’s time at the school greatly influenced him, not only as a student, but as an educator and musician, so much so that he changed his middle name from Lewis to Tuggle. After graduating from the school in 1913, John became its band director in 1913, a position he held until he left in 1917 to teach at Industrial High School. It was here that John picked up the nickname of “Fess,” which was short for “Professor.” Strict in his discipline, he demanded that his music students learn to read music, believing that music was one of the few avenues of success that was open to African-Americans at the time. A former student of his, jazz drummer and Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame inductee Wilson Driver, said that he demanded this of his students, otherwise they couldn’t play in his band. However, as demanding as this seemed, it was also beneficial to the musicians, as Driver said that “When guys would get to New York, they’d say, ‘You from Birmingham? You one of them Fess Whatley men? Yeah? Okay, you can read.’” Whatley’s influence reached beyond the high school at which he taught, helping to establish the ‘Bama State Collegians band at Alabama State Teachers College (now Alabama State University) in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1929, which is still an active jazz orchestra at ASU. Whatley also was an outspoken opponent to segregation and Jim Crow laws, organizing a local chapter of the American Federation of Musicians union in Birmingham in 1939 because blacks were not allowed to join the union because of segregation. In 1969, Whatley witnessed the integration of the chapter he founded with the white chapter already in existence. Whatley’s belief that music was a path to success has been proven correct over the decades since he began his career in music. Former students of Whatley's include trumpeter and band leader Erskine Hawkins, jazz drummer Wilson Driver, jazz pianist Henry Blount, better known as Sun Ra, Cleveland Eaton, bassist for the Ramsey Lewis Trio and the Count Basie Orchestra, and trumpeter Sammy Lowe, just to name a few. All the aforementioned are members of various jazz, blues, and music halls of fame nationwide. Whatley himself was a charter inductee of the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in 1978, and was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1991, joining his former student Erskine Hawkins (1989) as a member, and later joined by former students Cleveland Eaton (2008) and Sun Ra (2014). J.T. “Fess” Whatley died on January 12, 1972, in Birmingham, Alabama.
J.T. “Fess” Whatley: Alabama Music Hall of Fame http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1991/j-t-fes-whatley/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Alabama Music Office: Whatley bio http://www.alabamamusicoffice.com/artists-a-z/w/1967-whatley-john-t-fess/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Encyclopedia of Alabama: Whatley bio http://www.encyclopediaofalabama.org/article/h-3240/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame: Carrie Tuggle http://www.awhf.org/tuggle.html/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame website http://www.jazzhall.com/index.htm/ Accessed December 5, 2016 "Fess Whatley's Saxo Society Orchestra" photo http://www.chipstern.com/chip_tribal_wilson.htm/ Accessed December 9, 2016. All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
Macon County, Tuskegee, Music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Lionel Richie (June 20, 1949- ) Lionel Brockman Richie, Jr. was born on June 20, 1949 in Tuskegee, Alabama. He grew up on the campus of the Tuskegee Institute where many members of his family had worked for two generations. While in college at Tuskegee, Richie joined the Commodores, the most successful group on the Motown label during the late 1970s. Richie was the group’s saxophonist, sometime vocalist, and wrote songs like “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” and “Still”; the last two became number one pop hits. In 1980, Richie wrote and produced “Lady” for country-pop singer Kenny Rogers, which became a number one hit across the board. The next year, his duet “Endless Love” with Diana Ross topped the charts for nine weeks, becoming the most successful single in Motown history. By the end of 1981, Richie decided to pursue a solo career. His first solo album "Lionel Richie" was released in 1982 and was an immediate success. His first solo, “Truly,” became a number one hit. His next album, "Can’t Slow Down", produced five top ten singles including “All Night Long” and “Hello.” The album sold over ten million copies and won the 1984 Grammy for Album of the Year. Richie was doing so well he was invited to perform at the closing ceremonies of the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. In 1985, he worked with Michael Jackson to co-write “We Are the World” to help raise money for famine relief in Africa. By the end of the year, he released another hit single, “Say You, Say Me,” preceding his next album "Dancing on the Ceiling," which sold four million copies. Exhausted from two decades of recording and performing, Richie stepped back from making music in 1987. He also took time to care for his father. In 1992, he returned to music to release a compilation album including solo hits, Commodore tracks, and three new songs including the number one hit “Do It to Me.” Richie did not record again until 1996 following the loss of his father and the breakup of his marriage. The album, "Louder Than Words", was Richie’s attempt to update his sound; it reached the top 30 and went gold but did not produce any major singles. His 1998 album returned to his signature sound but did not do well. "Renaissance," released in the U.S. in 2001, did much better and went platinum in the U.K. Three years later, following a second divorce, he released "Just for You" which was also successful in the U.K. His 2006 album "Coming Home" included collaborations with an all-star cast and reached the Top 10 in pop and R&B. His album "Just Go", in 2009, featured collaborations with Stargate, Akon, and others. The album "Tuskegee", released in 2012, featured country versions of his past hits including “Easy,” “Hello,” and “Dancing on the Ceiling” and reached the top of the U. S. and country charts. Richie has won three Grammys, six American Music Awards, and a 1986 Oscar for Best Original Song. He has also been awarded two American Black Achievement Awards from Ebony magazine. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1997. Click the link to listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDZcqBgCS74 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqAvFx3NxUM
Joy Caitlin Monroe, University of North Alabama
Huey, Steve. “Lionel Richie Biography.” All Music. (2016) http://www.allmusic.com/artist/lionel-richie-mn0000243474/biography “Lionel Richie.” Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (2016) http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1997/lionel-richie/
Lee County, Lochapoka, Music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Freddie Hart (December 21, 1926- ) Born Fred Segrest on December 21, 1926, Hart was one of fifteen children. His parents were sharecroppers. He began playing guitar at age 5, and by age 12 he dropped out of school to work for his parents. When World War II broke out, Hart was 15. He lied about his age, joined the Marine Corps, and saw action at Guam and Iwo Jima. While in the service, he became interested in the martial arts, and after the war, he taught self-defense at the L.A. Police Academy. In 1948, Hart met Hank Williams who taught Hart about songwriting. In 1951, he joined Lefty Frizzell’s band. During his year with the band, Hart got his first recording contract with Capitol Records. In 1959, he recorded his first hit, “The Wall,” with Columbia Records. In 1971, his hit “Easy Lovin’” went to number one on the country charts and number seventeen on the pop charts. The song won two Grammy awards and was recognized as The Country Music Association as “The Song of the Year” for both 1971 and 1972. His songwriting has produced hits for many artists including Porter Wagoner and Charlie Rich. He was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Click the link to listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaU8txxC04I
“Freddie Hart.” Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (2016) http://alamhof.org/inductees/inductees/inductees-2/
Jefferson County, Birmingham, Music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
Hugh Martin (August 11, 1914-March 11, 2011) Hugh Martin was born in Birmingham, Alabama in 1914. He received musical training at the Birmingham Conservatory of Music. Over the course of his career, he wrote some of our most memorable songs and worked with some of the brightest stars of the stage and screen. Martin worked with Ralph Blane to write songs for the MGM film “Meet Me in St. Louis” including “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “The Trolley Song.” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” is among the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers Top 10 performed songs of all time. Martin produced arrangements for films such as “Girl Crazy,” “Broadway Rhythm,” “Presenting Lily Mars,” and Broadway musicals like “The Boys from Syracuse,” “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” and “Top Banana.” He also wrote the scores for the Broadway musicals “Look, Ma, I’m Dancin’,” “Make a Wish,” “High Spirits,” and for the London production of “Love From Judy.” Martin worked with many stars including Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, June Allyson, Lena Horne, Ethel Merman, Carmen Miranda, Ed Wynn, Phil Silvers, Carol Channing, Eddie Fisher, Mickey Rooney, and Ann Miller. He was nominated twice for Academy Awards. He was inducted into the Song Writers Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He died March 11, 2011 in Encinitas, California at 96. Click the link to listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjD8tpv4z1I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVag-t3aesI
“Hugh Martin.” Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (2016) http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/2001/hugh-martin/ Holden, Stephen. “Hugh Martin, Composer of Judy Garland Hits, Dies at 96.” The New York Times. (March 14, 2011) http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/15/arts/music/hugh-martin-composer-of-judy-garland-hits-dies-at-96.html
Montgomery; Alabama; Trenholm Court; African American; black; education; Alabama State University; Booker T. Washington High School; church; segregation; food; marching band; oral history
Oral interview of Leon Vandiver recorded by Keith S. Hebert in December 2016 for the Montgomery County Historical Society as part of their Alabama Bicentennial commemorations. The interview was conducted at Vandiver's home in Montgomery, Alabama. To listen to the full interview, click here to access the Soundcloud file.
To listen to the full interview, click here to access the Soundcloud file.
2005.36.399: James W. Watts to Lou Young, 1860 May 13
1860; Waco; Texas; Lou Young; James W. Watts; Sister; Friend; Lucy; Sally; School; Education; Drought; gentleman
Describe the letter in detail here . . . .
P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
1857; Transcription; Captain Young; May Eleanor Nesbit; Mr. Nesbit
This one-page handwritten note to an unidentified recipient from an unknown author offers amiable sentiments toward Captain Young following an unspecified incident with May Eleanor Nesbit.
2005.36.89: W. L. Blake to Dr. Thos. F. Jones, 1856 July 04
1856; Romance; Engagements; Marriages; Illness; Transcription
Letter recounting the writer meeting several (girl)friends and relating other friends who are engaged or married. Noted others who are sick or have died. Also mentioned monetary notes and a probated note. One handwritten envelope and four handwritten pages.
2005.36.121: Mary (Jones) Thompson to Louisa Young, Unknown March 29
Greenville; South Carolina; Uncle John; Butler; Colonel Harris; Gabe Kyne; Mr. Moon; Carrie Earle; Father (Robert M. Young Sr.); Mother (Caroline Jones) Young; Weather; Health; Courtship; Marriage; Criminal Activity; Family Visitation; Transcription
News on family health and well-being along with advice and encouragement on making courtship and marriage decisions. Requests that the family make a trip to SC for a visit. Includes a warning to Robert M. Young, Sr. to be watchful for a fugitive named Gabe Kyne, who may try to impose on the family. Original letter has 7 handwritten pages.
2005.36.167: P.M.B Young to Mother, 1854 March 25
1854; Georgia Military Institute; Marietta; Georgia; mother; Elizabeth Caroline Young; Pierce M.B. Young; sickness; death; religion; transcriptions
A short letter from Young to his mother discussing the death of a “brother cadet” at the Georgia Military Institute. Young comments on the cause of death, which was pneumonia, and how symptoms such as pleurisy induced a very painful death. Young also expresses sadness toward the fact that no family members of the dead cadet were present before his death and that few are aware of his death. Young calls on God to have mercy on his soul despite the fact that the dead cadet is not a Christian.
P.M.B Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
2005.36.267: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 January 03
1858; Kingston; Georgia; Mill Creek; Thomas F. Jones, Jr.; Kate; Cartersville; South Carolina; Paris; France; Asthma; Courtship; Marriage; New Year's Eve; Church; Religion; Bible; Transcription
Jones writes of his travels, his fear of Kate’s parents rejecting his marriage proposal, and his joining of a local church. 3 handwritten pages.
2005.36.156: P.M.B. Young to Father, Dr. R. M. Young, Unknown July 15-16
West Point Military Academy; Cadet Life; Sickness; Politics; Family Matters; Visiting; Cartersville; Georgia; George; Bob; Mom; sister, Dr. R.M. Young; Transcription
Pierce M.B. Young writes a letter from West Point to his father, Dr. R.M. Young at the Young's family home in Georgia. In it, he details the tough life he is having at West Point, providing information on military drills and a recent sickness he has had. He also discusses Georgia politics, family matters, and expects a visit soon. 4 handwritten pages and one envelope
2005.36.165: Josephine Young to Caroline Young, 1857 March 10
1857; Savannah; Georgia; Josephine Young; Caroline Young; Madie; Ida; Robert (Bob); Father (Robert M. Young Sr.); Health, Grandchildren; City Elegance; Family Visitation
Apologies made for delay in responding due to child's illness. Description of how much grandchildren miss grandparents and Aunt Lou and Uncle Pierce. Mention of wealthy, elegant Savannah city folk. Promise made to visit during the summer. Original document contains one hand-addressed envelop and two handwritten pages.
2005.36.272: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 January 16
1858; Thomas F. Jones, Jr; Kate; Kingston; Georgia; Mill Creek; Marriage; Courtship; Fear; Proposal; Parents; Transcription
Tom tells Kate that he has written to her parents concerning the marriage proposal and his fear of rejection. 1 handwritten page.
1857; West Point; New York; United States Military Academy (USMA); Camp Putnam; Cadet life; Family relations; Emotions; Military life; George; Jim Lewis; Social Relations; Homesickness; Living conditions; Personal affairs; Camp-life; Soldier activities; transcriptions
Young is writing to his mother describing homesickness, his thoughts of resignation from the United States Military Academy, pertinent day-to-day activities for cadets, and his future. He expresses a desire to come home, but also the importance as a Southerner to remain committed to the USMA. There is mention of how Northerners are more prepared for the academy than Southerners because of their levels of education. He mentions the discussions cadets have concerning assignments. He also describes how New York City is a “fussy” place, but how his mother would enjoy the beautiful landscape, river, and academy parade ceremonies.
2005.36.289: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 May 22
1858; Thomas F. Jones, Jr.; Kate; Dr. Mayson; Aunt Mary; Kingston; Georgia; Mill Creek; Occupation; Physician; Love; Letters; Religion; Bible; Choir; Money; Transcription
Tom tells Kate that he has to cancel their upcoming visit due to a rise in patient visits. He also writes about his unsuccessful quest to find two letters she had previously written to Jones. He finishes the letter by telling her of the church choir and Bible school. 3 handwritten pages.
2005.36.320: T. Farrow to Dr. Thomas Foster Jones, 1860 September 5
September 3, 1860, T. Farrow; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Dr. Thomas Foster Jones; Branchville; Wedding; Transcribed
From T. Farrow to Dr. Thomas Foster Jones in response to an invitation to Foster's upcoming wedding. Farrow informs Dr. Foster that he will be unable to make the wedding, but sends his best. 2 handwritten pages
Bartow History Museum Auburn History Department
2005.36.329: P.M.B. Young to Colonel W. J. Hardee, 1860 May 04
1860; Pierce Manning Butler Young; P.M.B. Young; W.J. Hardee; West Point; New York; Guard Duty; Mess Hall; Observation
A report by P.M.B. Young to his commanding officer, Colonel W.J. Hardee, informing him that he “observed” no infractions while on guard duty. 1 handwritten page.
2005.36.108: Pierce M.B. Young to Louisa Young, 1859 May 15
1859; West Point; New York; Father (Robert M. Young, Sr.); Mother (Caroline Young); Yankees; Abolition; Young Ladies; Financial Obligations; West Point; United States Military Academy; Business Matters; Furlough
Letter was written right before P.M.B. Young's first furlough after two years at West Point. He mentions a receipt of money from father and agreement with father's views. Includes comments about reluctance to ask someone for a favor, disdain for Yankees, and enchantment with northern young ladies but no interest in marrying any of them. Original document consists of one hand-addressed envelope and two hand-written pages.
2005.36.101: N. Reynolds to Tom, 1859 November 23
Transcription; 1859; Mrs. Watts; Col Watts; Alick; Dr. Framer; John Wes; Mrs. Ginnie Smith; Death; Mourning; Cotton; Employment
A letter from a mother-in-law to her son-in-law about the death of her daughter. She referenced a good cotton crop. And someone named Alick who was employed by Dr. Framer. She sent him a picture of Kate and referred to another photo that she had. Four handwritten pages.
2005.36.193: Assistant Adjutant General Roy to Pierce M.B. Young, 1865 February 7
1865; Charleston; South Carolina; Georgia; Special Orders No. 32; Iverson's Division
Order from Confederate Army headquarters, Dept. of SC, GA & FL assigning Major General Young to the command of Iverson's Division to assume his commission. By command of Lieutenant General Hardee. Original document consists of one handwritten page.
1859; P.M.B. Young; Sister; Louisa; West Point Military Academy; Cadet Life; School Work; War of 1812; Mexican War; Graduation; Banquet; Transcription
P.M.B. Young writes home to his sister (specific one unknown) his recent examinations, banquets for soldiers returning to campus, and graduation of a class and the ceremony that went along with it. 2 handwritten pages
1857; J.W. Jones; Jeni; Monticello; Florida; Hapevill; Georgia; Crops; War; Horse; P.M.B. Young; Willie; Dr. W. B. Griffin; Sister Margaret; Children; Sickness; Love; Luck; Transcription
J.W. Jones writes to Jeni, thanking her for corresponding because since she does so rarely his family often wonders about her. His children have been sick and he is requesting a horse to be sent to him. His crops are not doing that great, neither are Jeni's, and he hopes Jeni's situation that she wrote to him about gets better. 3 handwritten pages.
2005.36.281: Thomas H. Jones to Kate, 1858 March 29
1858; Thomas Jones; Kate; Love Letter; Affection,; Checking-In; Reuniting; Communication; Celebration; Leisure; Marching; Nature; Barnsley; Food; Drink; Transcription
Thomas writes Kate to express his love to her and his desire to be reunited with her, although he is thankful they are able to communicate through letter. He recently had a nice stay at Barnsley's, where he celebrated with music, food, and drink, and met many other ladies who can not possibly be up to Kate's standards in his opinion. In addition he also marched his troops through a wilderness, and is concerned that Kate's mom is reading their letters. 3 handwritten pages.
2005.36.99: George Young to Father, 1858 April 8
1858; Sickness; Disease; Medical Theory; Medical History; Cures; Drugs; Prescriptions; Sadness; Hope; Medical Discourse; Mental Health; Transcription
George writes to father discussing the state of health of his mother, and giving ideas for cures, prescriptions, and discussing medical theory/history as well. 8 handwritten pages
1859: Sick Children; Mental illness; Physical illness; Shame; Meeting; Love; Longing; Visiting; Family Matters; Transcription
Louisa writes to Tom, excusing herself for being in a poor mental/physical state because her recent bouts of illness. Much of her family has been sick, including children and aunts. She hopes that she can come visit him or he can come visit her soon. 3 handwritten pages
2005.36.80: L.L. Young to Washington Jones, 1856 May 21
1856; Traveling; New Doctor; Washington Jones; Thad H. Jones; L.L. Young; Martin's Depot; South Carolina; Louisiana; Transcription
L.L. Young writes to Washington Jones, telling him of his friend Thad H. Jones who is coming to Louisiana to open a new practice. 2 handwritten pages.
2005.36.626: Robert Young Legal Document, 1858
1858; Bill of Sale; Property; Real Estate; Cotton; Legal Document; Germany; Champion; Robert Young; Chatham County; Georgia; Transcription
Robert Young is filling out a legal bill of sale to Germany and Champion, this is some form of legal document. 3 handwritten pages
2005.36.145: P.M.B. Young to Mother, 1856 March 8
1856; West Point Military Academy; Cadet Life; Classes; Family Matters; Visiting; Appointments; Award; Local Georgia Politics; George; Robert; Sister; Mother; Father; Lumpkin; McConnel; Bob Stiles; Marietta; Transcription
P.M.B. writes home to his mother, and he talks about cadet life, his classes, and what he has been doing with his little spare time. Meanwhile, he talks about a merit appointment that he believes he should have been recommended for. 3 handwritten pages
2005.36.363: P.M.B. Young to Father, 1860 September 16
1860; West Point Military Academy; Cadet Life; Busy; Cadet Elections; Plums; Horse; Literature; Class; Mother; Ben Foster; Breckenridge; Lane; Douglas; Johnson; Bell; Everett; Linen; Hamlin; Transcription
PMB Young writes to his father, asking him for comments on a piece about horses that he wrote that an instructor is using in class. He sends home seeds from a plum he enjoyed, describes the events of a cadet election, and promises to write his mother soon. 2 handwritten pages
2005.36.276: Tom Jones to Kate, 1858 April 15
1858; Tom Jones; Kate; Love; Longing; Sickness; Gossip; Traveling; Col. Watts; The Dr. (Dr. Young); Miss L; Mrs. Burriss; Mrs. Johnson; Mrs. Alexander; Greenwood; Columbia; Kingston; Mill Brook; Transcription
The final page with author is not given, but from other similar letters this is Tom Jones to Kate. He misses her and hopes he can see her soon, he assures her despite the rumors he is not seeing anyone any longer in Kingston. 2 handwritten pages and 1 envelope
2005.36.174: Louisa Young Jones to P.M.B. Young, 1857 July 10
1857; Louisa Young Jones; Pierce Manning Butler Young; P.M.B Young; Walnut Grove; Georgia Daloney; Burke County; Mississippi; Cartersville; Marietta; Milledgeville; Pensacola; Florida; West Point; New York; Money; Land Purchasing; Travel; July 4th; Horseback riding; Politics
Although the letter is not signed, it appears to be Louisa writing to her brother, P.M.B. Young. She informs Young of local happenings and gossip. 4 handwritten pages.
1860; Tom Jones; Ohill; Elliot; Herris; Mother; Father; General Lane; John Breckenridge; West Point Military Academy; Cadet Life; Sister’s Marriage; Husband Options; Travels; Vacation; 4th of July; Money; Camp; Politics; President; Transcription
P.M.B. Young writes to his sister, disapproving of her choice of Tom Jones as husband and urging her to think carefully about her decision. He mentions 4th of July celebrations at West Point and that he wants money to travel to New York soon. His mentor, Gen. Lane, will be traveling to Georgia and staying with his family. He also writes of Gen. Lane's disillusionment with the U.S. Presidential race. 3 handwritten pages.
2005.36.318: Robert Young to P.M.B. Young, 1860 Feb 29
1860; Walnut Grove; Georgia; Waco; Texas; Pierce; P.M.B. Young; Robert; George; Josephine; Family; West Point Military Academy; Schooling; Challenging; Hope; Graduation; Learning; Moving; Reuniting; Summer; Home; Affection; Correspondence; Transcription
Robert writes to Pierce at West Point, encouraging him to work hard and take advantage of the time he has to make the most of his studies, which will put him in the best possible position to have a good life after he graduates. He lets him know he is moving to Texas but looks forward to reuniting the family in Georgia over the summer. 4 handwritten pages
2005.36.290: Tom Jones to Kate, 1858 September 18
1858; Georgia; Carolina; Greenwood; Kate; Tom Jones; Col. Watts; Mr. Cochran; Miss Measley; Little Sally; Dr. Cart; Mrs. Sproull; Frank; Marg; Whitlock; Love; Longing; Marriage Postponed; Convincing; Worrying; Overthinking; Friend’s Business; Local Life; Transcription
Tom writes Kate a long letter wracked with insecurities after having their wedding has been postponed a week, hoping that Kate will look at him and marriage favorably and convincing her to wait and not overthink the predicament. He ends with discussing the local business with friends he has seen/interacted with. 4 handwritten pages.
2005.36.238: Unknown to Pierce M.B. Young, unknown
Not Dated; New York; Request For A Visit
A note to Pierce M.B. Young requesting his visit during Young's stay in New York. Unknown author mentioned that his brother was renting author's furnished house and the author was boarding with his family at 17 East 31st Street. 1 handwritten page.
2005.36.158: Thomas Laurens Jones to Caroline Jones Young, 1856 December 8
1856: Edmund Jones; Death; Suicide; Bereavement: Mental Illness; Faith; Consolation
Letter from Thomas L. Jones to his sister Caroline regarding the suicide of their brother Edmund Jones. Thomas recounted Edmund's affliction and expressed shock and dismay. He wrote words of consolation, and encouragement to have faith. I envelope and 6 handwritten pages.
2005.36.279: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 February 26
1858; Carolina; Dr. Dozier; Mill Creek; Love; Affection; Kingston; GA Presbyterian Church; Communion Meeting
A love letter from Dr. Thomas F. Jones, Jr. to Kate expressing concern about her recent illness, his joy and delight in her, and his love and longing to see her again. He mentioned a communion meeting at the church and an adversarial situation involving a Dr. Dozier. He expressed his determination to not make himself liable to censure by Dr. Dozier or anyone else. 3 handwritten pages.
2005.36.98: I.G. Blevins to Pierce M.B. Young, 1857 June 29
1857; Marietta GA; West Point, NY; Milledgeville GA; Point Twiggs; Mutual Friends; Cadets Hallowes- Conyers- Persons - Jones- Holcomb-Remdle and Hogan; Moina; Anna; Coleman; Misses Nesbitt; Mrs. P; Miss Lon North; Ms. Julia Smith; The Joneses; Clark S.; Gossip; Festivities; Flirtatious Young Women; Volunteer Gathering at Milledgeville GA; United States Military Academy
Blevins chided Pierce for being away and missing out on a part, a picnic, other festivities, and for missing out on being around the young ladies. 4 handwritten pages.
2005.36.166: Mary (Jones) Thompson to Pierce M.B. Young, 1857 May 13
1857; Greenville SC; West Point NY; United States Military Academy; Grandmother; John; Uncle Judge Butler; Miss Thompson; Flo; Advice; Encouragement; Illness; Matchmaking
A letter of encouragement from Aunt Mary to Pierce. She offered admonishment and advice to Pierce as he embarked on his commission to attend West Point. She shared news of Uncle Butler being very ill with mumps, and of Miss Thompson, a beautiful girl who spent a great deal of time with Aunt Mary. She enticed him to meet Miss Thompson. She asked Pierce to come to Greenville for a visit as soon as he could. 4 handwritten pages.
2005.36.264: Tom Jones to Kate, 1858 January 26
1858; Tom Jones; Kate; Mrs. Johnson; Celestia; Father; Dr. Leland; Mrs. B; Miss Wilson; Miss Carter; Miss Leday; Miss Lester; Miss Henderson; Mrs. Melissa; Billy Johnson; Mr. E.N. Johnson; New Superintendent; Ginie; Love; Desire; Longing; Marriage; Friendship; Affection; Hopeful; Father’s Permission; Gossip; Sickness; Pneumonia; Doctoring; Local News; Horses; Riding Accident; Social Gathering; Dancing; Dreams; Transcription
Tom Jones writes to Kate telling her is suffering from pneumonia and is tired because he has been caring for other sick patients the past week. He hopes she still loves him and wishes to get married; he still madly loves her and hopes to hear the status of their marriage soon. He had fallen off his horse, but was fine enough to attend a coalition. 4 handwritten pages.
2005.36.294: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1857
1857; Monticello FL; Love; Admiration; Separation; Worry; Health
A love letter from Thomas to Kate expressing his concern about the long delay in receiving a letter from her and his high anxiety and worry about her health. He expressed how much he missed her and longed to hear from her. He asked Kate to write him back to share her love for him. 3 handwritten pages.
2005.36.316: John M. Jones to Thomas F. Jones Jr., 1860
1860; Greenville; South Carolina; Louisa Young; Wedding Invitation
John M. Jones wrote to his cousin to Thomas to express his regret for having to decline an invitation to Thomas and Louisa's wedding, as well as an invitation to be a groomsman. 3 handwritten pages.