2005.36.238: Unknown to Pierce M.B. Young, unknown
subject: Not Dated; New York; Request For A Visit
description: 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.
creator: Unknown
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: Unknown
contributor: Shari L. Williams Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.290: Tom Jones to Kate, 1858 September 18
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: Tom Jones
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1858 September 18
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.318: Robert Young to P.M.B. Young, 1860 Feb 29
subject: 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
description: 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
creator: Robert Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1860 February 28
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.302: P.M.B. Young to Sister, 1860 July 8
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: P.M.B. Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1860 July 9
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.174: Louisa Young Jones to P.M.B. Young, 1857 July 10
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: Louisa Young Jones
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1857 July 10
contributor: Graham R. Neeley Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.276: Tom Jones to Kate, 1858 April 15
subject: 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
description: 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
creator: Tom Jones
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1858 April 15
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.363: P.M.B. Young to Father, 1860 September 16
subject: 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
description: 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
creator: P.M.B. Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1860 September 19
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.145: P.M.B. Young to Mother, 1856 March 8
subject: 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
description: 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
creator: P.M.B. Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1856 March 8
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.626: Robert Young Legal Document, 1858
subject: 1858; Bill of Sale; Property; Real Estate; Cotton; Legal Document; Germany; Champion; Robert Young; Chatham County; Georgia; Transcription
description: Robert Young is filling out a legal bill of sale to Germany and Champion, this is some form of legal document. 3 handwritten pages
creator: Robert Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1858
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Legal Document

2005.36.80: L.L. Young to Washington Jones, 1856 May 21
subject: 1856; Traveling; New Doctor; Washington Jones; Thad H. Jones; L.L. Young; Martin's Depot; South Carolina; Louisiana; Transcription
description: 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.
creator: L.L. Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1856 May 21
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.123: Louisa to Tom, 1859 August 31
subject: 1859: Sick Children; Mental illness; Physical illness; Shame; Meeting; Love; Longing; Visiting; Family Matters; Transcription
description: 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
creator: Louisa Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1859 August 31
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.99: George Young to Father, 1858 April 8
subject: 1858; Sickness; Disease; Medical Theory; Medical History; Cures; Drugs; Prescriptions; Sadness; Hope; Medical Discourse; Mental Health; Transcription
description: 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
creator: George Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1858 April 8
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.281: Thomas H. Jones to Kate, 1858 March 29
subject: 1858; Thomas Jones; Kate; Love Letter; Affection,; Checking-In; Reuniting; Communication; Celebration; Leisure; Marching; Nature; Barnsley; Food; Drink; Transcription
description: 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.
creator: Thomas H. Jones
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn Univeristy
date: 1858 March 29
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.13: J.W. Jones to Jeni, 1857 July 6
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: Dr. J.W. Jones
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn Universty
date: 1857 July 6
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.106: P.M.B. Young to Sister, 1859 June 12
subject: 1859; P.M.B. Young; Sister; Louisa; West Point Military Academy; Cadet Life; School Work; War of 1812; Mexican War; Graduation; Banquet; Transcription
description: 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
creator: P.M.B. Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1859 June 12
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.193: Assistant Adjutant General Roy to Pierce M.B. Young, 1865 February 7
subject: 1865; Charleston; South Carolina; Georgia; Special Orders No. 32; Iverson's Division
description: 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.
creator: Assistant Adjutant General Roy
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1865 February 7
contributor: Shari L. Williams Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.101: N. Reynolds to Tom, 1859 November 23
subject: Transcription; 1859; Mrs. Watts; Col Watts; Alick; Dr. Framer; John Wes; Mrs. Ginnie Smith; Death; Mourning; Cotton; Employment
description: 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.
creator: N. Reynolds
source: P.M.B Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1859 August 23
contributor: Danielle Funderburk Auburn Universtiy
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: PDF JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.108: Pierce M.B. Young to Louisa Young, 1859 May 15
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: Pierce M.B. Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1859 May 15
contributor: Shari L. Williams Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.329: P.M.B. Young to Colonel W. J. Hardee, 1860 May 04
subject: 1860; Pierce Manning Butler Young; P.M.B. Young; W.J. Hardee; West Point; New York; Guard Duty; Mess Hall; Observation
description: 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.
creator: P.M.B Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1860 May 04
contributor: Graham R. Neeley Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.320: T. Farrow to Dr. Thomas Foster Jones, 1860 September 5
subject: September 3, 1860, T. Farrow; Spartanburg, South Carolina; Dr. Thomas Foster Jones; Branchville; Wedding; Transcribed
description: 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
creator: T. Farrow
source: Bartow History Museum Auburn History Department
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1860 September 5
contributor: Matthew Robinson Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.289: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 May 22
subject: 1858; Thomas F. Jones, Jr.; Kate; Dr. Mayson; Aunt Mary; Kingston; Georgia; Mill Creek; Occupation; Physician; Love; Letters; Religion; Bible; Choir; Money; Transcription
description: 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.
creator: Thomas F. Jones, Jr.
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1858 May 22
contributor: Graham R. Neeley Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.157: P.M.B Young to Mother, 1857 June 23
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: P.M.B. Young
source: P.M.B Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1857 June 23
contributor: Peter R. Thomas Jr. Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG; PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.272: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 January 16
subject: 1858; Thomas F. Jones, Jr; Kate; Kingston; Georgia; Mill Creek; Marriage; Courtship; Fear; Proposal; Parents; Transcription
description: Tom tells Kate that he has written to her parents concerning the marriage proposal and his fear of rejection. 1 handwritten page.
creator: Thomas F. Jones, Jr.
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1858 January 16
contributor: Graham R. Neeley Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.165: Josephine Young to Caroline Young, 1857 March 10
subject: 1857; Savannah; Georgia; Josephine Young; Caroline Young; Madie; Ida; Robert (Bob); Father (Robert M. Young Sr.); Health, Grandchildren; City Elegance; Family Visitation
description: 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.
creator: Josephine Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1857 March 10
contributor: Shari L. Williams Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

Hebertsample
date: 1862

2005.36.156: P.M.B. Young to Father, Dr. R. M. Young, Unknown July 15-16
subject: West Point Military Academy; Cadet Life; Sickness; Politics; Family Matters; Visiting; Cartersville; Georgia; George; Bob; Mom; sister, Dr. R.M. Young; Transcription
description: 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
creator: P.M.B. Young
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: Unknown July 15-16
contributor: Neil Humphrey Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.267: Thomas F. Jones Jr. to Kate, 1858 January 03
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: Thomas F. Jones, Jr.
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1858 January 03
contributor: Graham R. Neeley Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.167: P.M.B Young to Mother, 1854 March 25
subject: 1854; Georgia Military Institute; Marietta; Georgia; mother; Elizabeth Caroline Young; Pierce M.B. Young; sickness; death; religion; transcriptions
description: 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.
creator: P.M.B. Young
source: P.M.B Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1854 March 25
contributor: Peter R. Thomas Jr. Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG; PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.121: Mary (Jones) Thompson to Louisa Young, Unknown March 29
subject: 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
description: 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.
creator: Mary (Jones) Thompson
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: Unknown March 29
contributor: Shari L. Williams Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG PDF
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.89: W. L. Blake to Dr. Thos. F. Jones, 1856 July 04
subject: 1856; Romance; Engagements; Marriages; Illness; Transcription
description: 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.
creator: W. L. Blake
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1856 July 4
contributor: Danielle Funderburk Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: PDF JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.153: Unknown to Unknown, 1857
subject: 1857; Transcription; Captain Young; May Eleanor Nesbit; Mr. Nesbit
description: 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.
creator: Unknown
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1857
contributor: Heather M. Haley Auburn University
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

2005.36.399: James W. Watts to Lou Young, 1860 May 13
subject: 1860; Waco; Texas; Lou Young; James W. Watts; Sister; Friend; Lucy; Sally; School; Education; Drought; gentleman
description: Describe the letter in detail here . . . .
creator: James W. Watts
source: P.M.B. Young Collection, Bartow History Museum
publisher: Bartow History Museum Auburn University
date: 1860 May 13
contributor: Keith S. Hebert Auburn University
rights: Bartow History Museum
format: JPEG
language: English
type: Manuscript

Leon Vandiver Oral History Recording
subject: Montgomery; Alabama; Trenholm Court; African American; black; education; Alabama State University; Booker T. Washington High School; church; segregation; food; marching band; oral history
description: 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.
creator: Keith S. Hebert
source: To listen to the full interview, click here to access the Soundcloud file.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 2016 1953-2016
rights: Montgomery County Historical Society
format: MP3; audio recording
language: English
type: Oral History

Hugh Martin
subject: Jefferson County, Birmingham, Music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
description: 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
creator: Joy Caitlin Monroe, University of North Alabama
source: “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
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

Freddie Hart
subject: Lee County, Lochapoka, Music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
description: 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
creator: Joy Caitlin Monroe, University of North Alabama
source: “Freddie Hart.” Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (2016) http://alamhof.org/inductees/inductees/inductees-2/
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

Lionel Richie
subject: Macon County, Tuskegee, Music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
description: 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 Th…
creator: Joy Caitlin Monroe, University of North Alabama
source: 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/
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

Fess Whatley
subject: 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
description: 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…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: 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.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1895-1972
format: image, .jpeg. text

Candi Staton
subject: Hanceville, Cullman County, FAME Studios, Rick Hall, Clarence Carter, R&B music, Soul music, Gospel music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
description: 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…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: 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..
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1940-2016
format: image, .jpeg, video, web

Billy Sherrill
subject: 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
description: 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 ch…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: 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.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1936-2015
format: image, .jpeg, video, text

Spooner Oldham
subject: 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
description: 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 F…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: 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.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1943-2016
format: image, .jepg, web, video

Buddy Killen
subject: Florence, Lauderdale County, Hank Williams, Tree International, Dolly Parton, Curley Putnam, Country music, Pop music, R&B music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
description: 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 determin…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: 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.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1932-2006
format: image, video, .jpeg, image

Erskine Hawkins
subject: 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
description: 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 …
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: 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.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1914-1993
format: text, video, .jpeg, image

Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay
subject: Florence, Lauderdale County, FAME Studios, Rick Hall, Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, Sheffield, Elvis Presley, Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, Percy Sledge, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
description: Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay (August 22, 1947 - ) If anyone can lay claim to having lived a life that was marked by being in the right place at the right, Donna Jean Godchaux (pronounced “God-show) can. From growing up in the Florence/Muscle Shoals, Alabama area while the Muscle Shoals recording scene was exploding, to moving to San Francisco where she met her first husband Keith Godchaux, as well as Jerry Garcia, Donna’s life is one of opportunities taken. Born Donna Jean Thatcher on August 22, 1947, in Florence, Alabama, Donna spent her childhood years on the banks of the Tennessee River, attending Sheffield High School, where she was a cheerleader. Music has always been a passion with Donna. As she points out, “I was singing from pretty much as soon as I could talk.” That love of music eventually took her to the various recording studios that had begun to populate the Muscle Shoals area. After graduating from high school in 1965, Donna began singing with her best friend Jeanie Greene in a group that they eventually called Southern Comfort. Jeanie’s husband Marlin was a music producer, working with Rick Hall’s FAME Studios. In 1966, Donna and Jeanie sang backup on Percy Sledge’s megahit “When a Man Loves a Woman,” which Marlin produced for FAME before producing a rerecording at Norala Studios in Sheffield, Alabama. The song spent two weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and four weeks on the Billboard R&B singles chart. In 1969, she and Jeanie hit solid gold again when they sang back-up on Elvis Presley’s number one hit, “Suspicious Minds.” Other albums on which she sang backing vocals include “3614 Jackson Highway” by Cher (1969), on which she also appeared on the album cover, “Boz Scaggs” (1969) by Boz Scaggs (both albums recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio), and “From Elvis in Memphis” (1969), by Elvis Presley, which featured the top five hit “In The Ghetto,” penned by country artist Mac Davis. In 1970, Donna decided it was time for a change of s…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: “Donna Jean MacKay interview, 3/28/1998” http://www.levity.com/gans/Donna.980328.html/ Accessed December 2, 2016 “Donna Jean Godchaux interview, 2/24/2016” http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2016/02/donna_jean_godchaux_alabama_mu.html/ Accessed December 2, 2016 “Donna Jean Godchaux Band with Jeff Mattson official website” http://donnajeangodchauxband.info/index.html/ Accessed December 2, 2016 “Hall of fame another stop on Godchaux Mackay's long strange trip” http://www.timesdaily.com/life/hall-of-fame-another-stop-on-godchaux-mackay-s-long/article_f9186616-c058-5771-a530-3521cd97fd3d.html/ Accessed December 2, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1947-2016
contributor: text, video, .jpeg, web

Eddie Floyd
subject: Montgomery, Montgomery County, Stax Records, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Jerry Wexler, Blues music, R&B music, Soul music,
description: Eddie Floyd (June 27, 1937 - ) The “Memphis sound” that mixed Southern soul with R&B, jazz, with a little country and gospel thrown in, was an important and influential sound in the 1960s. Led by such singers as Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, and Wilson Pickett, none was more influential to the sound coming out of the Stax recording studios than singer-songwriter Eddie Floyd. Edward Lee Floyd was born in Montgomery, Alabama, on June 25, 1937. Six weeks later, his family moved to Detroit, Michigan. As a youth, Eddie often migrated between Michigan and Alabama. His exposure to both Southern soul and blues, and to the burgeoning R&B sound that would grow into the Motown sound of the 1960s, no doubt influenced both his singing and songwriting. In 1955, Eddie co-founded The Falcons, an R&B group considered to be the musical godfather to such later Motown groups asThe Temptations and The Four Tops. The group had a top twenty hit with “You’re So Fine” in 1959. A year later, Wilson Pickett joined the group and, with him, they recorded “I Found a Love” in 1960, backed by the singing group the Primettes, who would later change their name to the Supremes. In 1963, Pickett left the group and The Falcons disbanded. In 1965, Eddie moved to Memphis to work at Stax Records as a songwriter and producer. While at Stax, Eddie wrote “Comfort Me” for Carla Thomas, the title song of her album which peaked at #11 on the R&B chart in 1965. In 1966, Eddie co-wrote “Knock On Wood” with guitarist Steve Cropper, a member of Stax’s house band, Booker T. and the M.G.’s, and was originally intended to be recorded by Otis Redding. However, record executive Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records, the distributor for Stax, convinced the president of Stax to release Eddie’s demo version instead. Wexler’s instincts proved to be correct, as “Knock On Wood” sold over a million singles and reached #28 on the Billboard Hot 100, as well as spending a week at #1 on the Soul Singles chart. His recording career reborn, …
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: Eddie Floyd: Alabama Music Hall of Fame http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/2003/eddie-floyd/ Accessed November 29, 2016 Eddie Floyd Official Website http://eddiefloyd.com/ Accessed November 29, 2016 Eddie Floyd bio allmusic.com http://www.allmusic.com/artist/eddie-floyd-mn0000168958/ Accessed November 29, 2016 Soulsville, USA: The Story of STAX Records https://books.google.com/books?id=XLdsRwpZ9oYC&printsec=frontcover&dq=soulsville&sig=ACfU3U0srTq7YeEyniP8y-FMSFpArxeB8w#v=onepage&q=soulsville&f=false/ Accessed December 5, 2016 Eddie Floyd historyofrock.com http://www.history-of-rock.com/eddie_floyd.htm/ Accessed December 5, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Center
date: 1937-2016
format: text, web, video, .jpeg, image

Cleveland "Cleve" Eaton
subject: Fairfield, Jefferson County, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame, Jazz music, Bass (instrument), Big Band music, Ike Cole Trio, Ramsey Lewis Trio, Count Basie
description: Cleveland "Cleve" Eaton (August 31, 1939 - ) In his long career in music, it is difficult to find a genre or an entertainer or act that Cleve Eaton has either not recorded or toured with. The man dubbed “the Count’s Bassist” because of his long association with Count Basie and his orchestra, Eaton has also worked with such artists as jazz pianist Ike Cole (Nat’s brother), pop artist Minnie Riperton, R&B group The Dells, as well as Julie London, Sammie David, Jr., Herbie Hancock, and The Temptations…and that just touches the surface. Born in Fairfield, Alabama on August 31, 1939, Cleveland Eaton grew up in a house full of musical influence. Between the ages of five to fifteen, Cleve mastered the piano, saxophone, trumpet, and tuba. But it was the string bass with captured Cleve’s interest and, as they say, the rest is history. After earning a degree in music at Tennessee A & I State University, Cleve first connected with Ike Cole in Chicago, become a part of his trio. In 1965, Cleve began a decade-long stint with the Ramsey Lewis Trio, playing bass on such albums as “Wade In The Water” (1966), “Goin’ Latin” (1967), and the number one jazz album “Sun Goddess” (1975). While the Ramsey Lewis Trio was where Cleve made his mark on the national scene, it was his 17-year association with The Count Basie Orchestra that cemented his spot as the preeminent bassist of his time. Eaton’s work with Basie began just two weeks after he left Lewis in a salary dispute. Cleve can be heard on such albums as “Kansas City Shout” (1980), “88 Basie Street” (1983), which won the 1984 Grammy for Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Big Band, and on Basie’s last album, “Fancy Pants” (1983). Eaton continued his association with The Count Basie Orchestra after Basie’s death in 1984, including on “Big Boss Band” (1990), by George Benson, which featured the Basie orchestra. During this time, Cleve was also heading his own project, Cleve Eaton and Co., which evolved, in 2004, into Cleve Eaton and th…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: “Cleveland Eaton – Alabama Music Hall of Fame” http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/2008/cleveland-eaton/ Accessed December 1, 2016 “Cleveland Eaton Official Website” http://clevelandeatonmusic.com/home/ Accessed December 1, 2016 “Cleve Eaton Interview – The Birmingham Times 2/5/15” http://www.birminghamtimes.com/2015/02/the-cleve-eaton-story-god-is-in-control/ Accessed December 1, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1939-2016
format: text, video, web, >jpeg, image

Clarence Carter
subject: Montgomery, Montgomery County, FAME Studios, Candi Staton, Rick Hall, Alabama School for the Blind, Alabama State College, Rock music, R&B music, Blues music, Soul music, Grammy Awards
description: Clarence Carter (January 14, 1936 - ) The best way to describe Clarence Carter’s style is that he is a soul and blues preacher of love, most specifically, the cheating kind. Carter’s vocals, at times soaring and at times down in the gutter, combined with a mischievous chuckle that threatens to reveal more that it should, makes him a truly unique individual in the blues and soul world. Clarence Carter was born on January 14, 1936, in Montgomery, Alabama. Blind at birth, Clarence was a student at Alabama School for the Blind in Talladega, Alabama, and later matriculated at Alabama State College (now University) in Montgomery, earning a degree in music. Teaming with a fellow ASC student, Calvin Scott, who was also blind, they formed the singing duo of Clarence & Calvin, later renamed the C & C Boys. Recording first for Fairlane Records, then Duke Records, their recordings failed to have much success. In 1965, they traveled to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record at FAME Studios with owner/producer Rick Hall. The song “Step By Step” caught the ear of executives with Atlantic Records, who signed the duo and released the song as a single. While it, too, generated little buzz, “Step By Step” saw the beginning of a collaboration between Carter and Hall which would prove to be most successful. Shortly after the release of “Step By Step,” Scott was seriously injured in an auto accident, effectively ending the duo of Carter and Scott. Clarence continued as a solo act, recording albums for Hall’s Fame label at FAME Studios. 1967 saw Clarence release, “Tell Daddy,” his first hit, reaching #35 on the R&B chart. The song was recorded a year later, as “Tell Mama,” by Etta James, and was her biggest pop hit. The success of the song led to Clarence signing with Atlantic Records, and resulted in a string of hits, starting with “Slip Away” (#2-R&B, 1968), “Too Weak to Fight” (#3-R&B, 1968), and “Patches” (#2-R&B, 1970). By the mid-1970s, with disco coming on the scene, Clarence’s career be…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: “Clarence Carter” http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/2003/clarence-carter/ Accessed December 1, 2016 “Soul Blue Music – Clarence Carter” http://www.soulbluesmusic.com/clarencecarter.htm Accessed December 1, 2016 “FAME Studios history” http://www.fame2.com/our-history/ Accessed December 1, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey
date: 1936-2016
format: text, video, web, >jpeg

William Lee Golden
subject: Escambia County, Brewton, Music, Alabama Music Hall of Fame
description: William Lee Golden Golden was raised in a farming family in Brewton, Alabama. At age seven he began singing and performing regularly on his grandfather’s weekly radio show, along with his sister. From this experience, Golden grew to love harmony, and by the time he was a teenager, he had an appreciation for Country, Gospel, Doo-Wop, and Pop Quartets. In 1965, Golden joined with the Oak Ridge Boys, a gospel group that went on to win 10 Dove awards and 5 Grammys. In 1975, the group switched to country and was awarded Country Music Association Vocal and Instrumental Group of the Year and Best Country Crossover Group of the year. Golden sang baritone for the Oak Ridge Boys for 22 years, releasing hits such as “Trying to Love Two Women,” “Ozark Mountain Jubilee,” and “Thank God for Kids.” In 1986 he released a solo album, “American Vagabond,” and in 1987, he left the group. He toured solo and with his sons Rusty and Chris as The Goldens. In 1996, Golden rejoined the Oak Ridge Boys. In 1997, Golden was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame and received its Life Work Award for Performing Achievement. In 2011, the Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into The Grand Ole Opry and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. They were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2015. Click the link to listen. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdFghZmdwXk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=474Q4oRJPUI
creator: Joy Caitlin Monroe, University of North Alabama
source: “William Lee Golden Biography.” (2016) https://www.williamleegolden.com/william-lee-golden-biography “William Lee Golden.” Alabama Music Hall of Fame. (2016) http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1997/william-l-golden/
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resource Survey

Buddy Buie
subject: Dothan, Houston County, Eufaula, Barbour County, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, Rock music, Southern rock music, Classics IV, Atlanta Rhythm Section,
description: Buddy Buie (January 23, 1941 - July 18, 2015) Buddy Buie may not be a name that most folks recognize, but his impact on the music scene of the 1960s to the 1990s is one that transcends name recognition. As a songwriter, producer, and concert promoter, Buddy had a hand in showcasing the talents of such artists as Roy Orbison, Wynonna Judd, B.J. Thomas, The Classics IV, and, most of all, The Atlanta Rhythm Section. Born January 23, 1941, in the small town of Marianna, Florida, Perry Carlton Buie (pronounced Boo-ee) moved with his family to the town of Dothan, Alabama when he was still a child. After dropping out of Auburn University, Buddy moved north to New York City to focus on a career in music, but soon settled back in the south in Atlanta, Georgia, where he resided for much of his music career. In the early 1960s, Buddy became the road manager for Roy Orbison. A few years later, he became the producer for the Classics IV, whose guitarist, J.R. Cobb, became a frequent songwriting partner with Buddy. While based in Atlanta, Buddy spent his songwriting time in a small fishing trailer that he had in Eufaula, Alabama. It was during this period that Buddy and Cobb wrote such hits as “Stormy,” “Spooky,” and “Traces.” While the success that he had with the Classics IV set him on steady ground, it was his founding of the group Atlanta Rhythm Section that best-defined Buddy’s influence and success on the music scene. In 1970, Buddy had opened a recording studio in Atlanta. Combining members of the Classics IV and the Candymen, Atlanta Rhythm section established themselves as a Southern Rock band in the realm of the Allman Brothers Band and Lynryd Skynryd. Buddy managed and produced many of their albums, and co-wrote their hit “So Into You,” along with keyboardist Dean Daughtry and Robert Nix. The 1980s and 1990s, while not as productive as the years with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Buddy, along with Cobb, was still actively writing, his most significant hit being Wynonna Judd’…
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: Buddy Buie: Alabama Music Hall of Fame http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/2011/buddy-buie/ Accessed October 31, 2016 Buddy Buie obituary, al.com http://www.al.com/entertainment/index.ssf/2015/07/hall_of_fame_songwriter_buddy.html Accessed October 31, 2016 Buddy Buie obituary, Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/perry-buddy-buie-songwriter-and-producer-dies-at-74/2015/07/23/b3f62650-30c7-11e5-8353-1215475949f4_story.html?utm_term=.0609191a1b97 Accessed October 31, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
publisher: Alabama Cultural Resources Survey
date: 1941-2015
contributor: image, .jpeg, web, text

David Briggs
subject: Killen, Lauderdale County, Rock music, Elvis Presley, FAME Music Studio, Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Arthur Alexander, Rick Hall, Alabama Music Hall of Fame, CMA Awards
description: David Briggs (March 16, 1943 - ) David Briggs has had a career that can best be described as impressive, topped off by working with Elvis Presley as his studio keyboardist, and later going out on tour with the King. But lest one think that he would rest on his laurels, David delved into new avenues of the music business, with success at every turn. David Paul Briggs was born March 16, 1943, in the small town of Killen, Alabama, located less than 20 miles from Muscle Shoals and its, at the time, nascent music industry. Music was an early part of Briggs’ life, and he took part in his first recording session at the ripe old age of 14. Soon, he was working with Jerry Carrigan, Terry Thompson, and Norbert Putnam, becoming a part of the original rhythm section for Rick Hall’s FAME Music Studio in their original studios in Florence, Alabama, and at the present studio, in Muscle Shoals. It was here that Briggs was able to work with such artists as Arthur Alexander (“You Better Move On”), Jimmy Hughes (“Steal Away”), and Tommy Roe (“Everybody”). In 1964, Briggs left the Shoals area, moving to Nashville. It was here that David happened to be in the right place at the right time. While recording his gospel album, “How Great Thou Art,” Elvis Presley asked David to fill in on keyboard as Floyd Cramer was running late. Impressed with David’s style and versatility, Elvis had him stay and play organ, even after Cramer had resumed his duties on the piano. It was a collaboration that would last until just before Presley’s death in 1977, and included Briggs joining Elvis in his 1975 Las Vegas engagement, and later, all his concert dates from 1976 through February, 1977. It was also during the time that he met Presley that David and fellow FAME rhythm section member Norbert Putnam opened Quadrafonic Studios in Nashville, recording with some of the biggest names in music, among them Neil Young, Joan Baez, Jimmy Buffet and the Jackson Five. Briggs sold his part of the studio in 1976 and …
creator: John Griffin, University of North Alabama
source: David Briggs: Alabama Music Hall of Fame http://alamhof.org/inductees/timeline/1999/david-briggs/, Accessed November 20, 2016 House of David website http://www.houseofdavidstudios.com/, Accessed November 20, 2016 Interview, David Briggs http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/articles/tcb-band-david-briggs.html. Accessed November 20, 2016 All images courtesy of Mr. George Lair and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, unless otherwise noted.
date: 1943-2016
format: image, .jpeg, text, web