Guide to Wichita Blues Project

Collection Summary

Title: Wichita Blues Project
Call Number: MS 98-8
Size: 1.25 linear feet
Acquisition: Purchased from Patrick J. O'Connor.
Processed by: JLY, 01/2001


Literary Rights

Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.

Content Note

The collection consists of oral history recordings, performance recordings, and photographs of the prominent Blues musicians in Wichita, Kansas. The materials were researched and collected by Patrick J. O'Connor who developed his findings into the book Wichita Blues: Discovery published in 1998 by the Wichita Blues Project (which can be found in Special Collections, SC 4989). The research also developed into an exhibit at the First National Black Historical Society of Kansas (now known as the Kansas African American Museum) where many of these musicians performed.

Administrative History

Not available.

Series Listing

Series 1 Box 1 Audio Recordings. This series contains 24 cassette tapes with interviews and performances of African American musicians from Wichita's Blues scene. The tapes are listed with performers name, date, and a brief description of recording. ***There is a tape log in Box 3 FF4 which corresponds to these recordings, but the tapes are copies of the originals and although content of material and dates are accurate, other information such as "Tape Side" do not always match the recording.
Series 2 Box 2 Video Recordings. This series contains 3 VHS video cassette recordings including the opening of the exhibit "The Tradition of Blues in Wichita: African-Americans Tell Their Stories" and performance by Harold Cary.
Series 3 Box 3 FF 1-2 Photographs. The files in this series contain black and white photographs for many of Wichita's most influential Blues musicians.
Series 4 Box 3 FF3 - 6 Printed Materials. The files in this series contain short musician biographies, a tape log, exhibit notice, background of the project and newsletters from the Wichita Blues Society.
 

Box and Folder Listing

Series 1 -- Audio Recordings
     
Box 1 Jesse Anderson, 6/5/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Arthur Bates (2), 7/11/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Harold Cary (2), 6/17/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Jerry Childers, 5/29/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Jerry Childers, 6/15/96, performance with Childers, Hammond B3 Organ/vocals; Mickey Sheaks, drums; Rickey Brothers, harmonica; Berry Harris, guitar/vocals; Jerry Jackson, vocals on "Stormy Monday".
Box 1 Donald Dunn, 6/10/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Shirley Green, 6/21/96, memories of music career and saxophone selections.
Box 1 "Harmonica Chuck" (Charlie Phillips), 6/13/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Berry Harris, 6/11/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Remona Hicks "Miss Blues", 6/17/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Barbara Kerr, 7/17/96, memories of music career. and history of the founding of the First National Black Historical Society.
Box 1 Joe Lotson, 7/8/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Gene Metcalf, 6/6/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Franklin Mitchell (2), 6/27/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Walton Morgan, 6/4/96, memories of music career and music on saxophone with taped accompaniment.
Box 1 Perry Reed, 5/23/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Albert Tucker, 6/18/96, memories of music career and guitar playing with vocals.
Box 1 Ray Valentine, 6/24/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Charles Walker, 6/25/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Henry Walker, 7/2/96, memories of music career.
Box 1 Overview. Tape has 90 seconds of each interview spliced together.
 
Series 2 -- Video Recordings
     
Box 2 Musical Performance at Exhibit Opening (2), The First National Black Historical Society, 3/22/97.
Box 2 Harold Cary, Performance at the Wichita Art Museum, 10/96.
 
Series 3 -- Photographs
     
Box 3 FF 1 Black and White 5 x 7s: Ira Milton "Bo" Jones; Jerald Burns; Jive Five circa 1975 includes Stanley House, Eddie Gains, Woodrow Cooper, Lee Williams, Berry Harris, Herbie Welch; Sam Lynch; Gilmer Lewis Walters; Kathryn Elrena Smith; Eddie J. Taylor, Jr.; "Big Dave" Carr; negatives for aforementioned photographs.
Box 3 FF 2 Black and White 8 x 10s: Jesse Anderson; Arthur Bates; Harold Cary; Jerry Childers; Donald Dunn; Shirley Green; Harmonica Chuck- Charlie Phillips; Berry Harris; Remona Hicks "Miss Blues"; Barbara Kerr; Joe Lotson; Gene Metcalf; Franklin Mitchell; Walton Morgan; Perry Reed; Albert Tucker; Ray Valentine; Charles Walker; Henry Walker.
Oversized- Located in Map Case Black and White 11 x 14s: Jesse Anderson, Jerry Childers, "Harmonica Chuck"- Charlie Phillips, Berry Harris, Joe Lotson, Franklin Mitchell, Perry Reed, Albert Tucker, Ray Valentine, Charles Walker, (2) unidentified.
 
Series 4 -- Printed Materials
     
Box 3 FF 3 Short biographies of the nineteen performers who appear on the 8 x 10s.
Box 3 FF 4 Tape Log listing title, cassette size, date/time of recording, place of recording, setting and circumstance, and a brief overview of recording. ***This log corresponds to the interview tapes found in Box 1.***
Box 3 FF 5 Exhibit opening notice and brief background of project.
Box 3 FF 6 Wichita Blues Society Newsletters: March, 1997; February, 1998.