QUICK LINKS:
Collection Processed by:
Jorge Arévalo Mateus, PhDCollection Guide Prepared by:
Original finding aid was prepared by Jorge’ Arevalo Mateus, PhD; updated by Kate L. Blalack, July 2014.Date Range:
1935-1958 (1940-1958, bulk)
Extent:
6.5 linear feet (six record storage boxes and one document box)
Provenance:
Woody Guthrie Archives ; Accessions # 2009-16.01 – .93 (artificially created collection)
Scope and Content:
The Woody Guthrie Archives Audio Collection holds 76 ¼-inch reel-to-reel audiotapes containing original musical recordings, performances, and radio shows featuring Woody Guthrie and Guthrie family members dating between 1940-1975. In their original format, these reels could not be played back at the Woody Guthrie Archives. Due to a generous 2010 grant provided by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, all of these 76 reels are available in digital format for in-house research.
p>Language:
Materials Entirely in English
Access restrictions:
There are no access restrictions.
Use restrictions:
All material is subject to copyright.
Arrangement:
Items arranged by venue type.
Related Materials:
Woody Guthrie Archives Record Collection
The Ludwig K. Rubinsky Collection of Record Albums
Woody Guthrie’s Personal Record Collection
Woody Guthrie Historic Family Recordings
List of Series:
Series 1: Commercial Recordings
Series 2: Live Performances
Series 3: Radio Shows
Container Lists:
SERIES I: COMMERCIAL RECORDINGS:
consists largely of copies of commercial recordings containing Guthrie’s songs. The content of many of these tapes is unclear, as there are a number of reels titled “Folk Music Collection” which may or may not be copies of each other. However, tapes containing Guthrie performing his songs are included. Whether these are copies of commercial recordings is unclear.| Title | Date | Original Format | Research Format |
| Adversity Performers: Woody Guthrie (music); Jack Peters (words) ID#: 50 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 202 (polyester backed) | Audio CD |
| The Alex Bennett Show WMCA (New York, NY) Marjorie Guthrie, interviewee ID#: 3 Content Note: from Lee Hays | Broadcast September 20, 1969 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 200 double length (polyester backed) | Audio CD |
| The Alex Bennett Show: Reel 1 WMCA (New York, NY) ID#: 2 | Broadcast August 22, 1970 Recorded August 12, 1970 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 200 double length (polyester backed) | Audio CD |
| The Alex Bennett Show: Reel 2 (radio show) WMCA (New York, NY) ID#: 1 | Broadcast August 22, 1970 Recorded August 12, 1970 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 200 double length (polyester backed) | Audio CD |
| Car-Car; Talkin Dust Bowl Performer: Woody Guthrie ID#: 10 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel Scotch/3M Technical note: copied to DAT 11/25/91 | Audio CD |
| Cisco Houston Sings the Songs of Woody Guthrie Performer: Cisco Houston ID#: 17 Content Note: Given by Dwaine Clay Storie to Marjorie Guthrie. Likely a copy of Vanguard Record. Box unopened | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel 7 1/2 ips Technical note: 4 tracks | Audio CD |
| Don’t You Push Me Down; Take Me Riding in a Car; Talking Dust Bowl Performer: Woody Guthrie ID#: 63 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel Scotch/3M 111 (acetate backed) 7 1/2 ips Technical note: full track | Audio CD |
| Folk Music Collection: Reel 1 ID#: 57 Content Note: content listing in box | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel Scotch/3M 200 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Folk Music Collection: Reel 1 ID#: 6 Content Note: content listing in box | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M Technical note: appears to be copy of item 57 | Audio CD |
| Folk Music Collection: Reel 1 (dub) ID#: 83 Content Note: box labeled ” Music After Seven ‘Mark Twain’” | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 111 RPL (polyester) Technical note: may be copy of item 57 | Audio CD |
| Folk Music Collection: Reel 2 ID#: 58 Content Note: content listing in box | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel Scotch/3M 200 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Folk Music Collection: Reel 2 ID#: 7 Content Note: content listing in box | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M Technical note: appears to be copy of item 58 | Audio CD |
| Folk Music Collection: Reel 2 (dub) ID#: 84 Content Note: Box Labeled “Music After Seven ‘Ladies’ Night’” | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 111 H (polyester) Technical note: appears to be copy of item 58 | Audio CD |
| Hard Travelin’: Programs 5-8 ID#: 14 Content Note: may be from soundtrack of 1984 film | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel 3 3/4 ips | Audio CD |
| Hard Travelin’: Programs 9-12 ID#: 15 Content Note: may be from soundtrack of 1984 film | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel 3 3/4 ips | Audio CD |
| Hard Travelin’: Program 13 ID#: 16 Content Note: may be from soundtrack of 1984 film | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel 3 3/4 ips | Audio CD |
| Untitled (“Woody Guthrie – ?”) ID#: 26 Content Note: unknown contents | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 3 3/4 ips | Audio CD |
| V.D. Songs ID#: 37 Content Note: content listing in box | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 111 (acetate) 7 1/2 ips Technical note: mono | Audio CD |
| Vietnam Teach-in/Northern Line/We Shall All Be Free Performers: Leslie Flab [sp?] ID#: 73 Content Note: folk music sent to Marjorie Guthrie | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 3″ reel Jay-James 3 3/4 ips | Audio CD |
SERIES II: LIVE PERFORMANCES:
Contains musical and theatrical performances, at venues ranging from college campuses such as the University of Southern California to Vincennes University to Dudley Rigg’s Experimental Theater Company in Minneapolis, MN. Of particular significance are reels containing stereo masters and outtakes for the album “A Tribute to Woody Guthrie, Part 1” and “A Tribute to Woody Guthrie, Part 2.” These albums were created with recordings culled from live performances of Guthrie’s songs at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood Bowl (Los Angeles) by artists such as Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Richie Havens and Joan Baez. The 1968 Carnegie Hall concert was especially significant because it was the first time that Bob Dylan – backed by The Band – performed after his motorcycle accident in 1966.| Title | Date | Original Format | Research Format |
| Adversity Performers: Woody Guthrie (music); Jack Peters (words) ID#: 50 | undated | Audio CD | |
| A Report of Activities of Marjorie Mazia: Reel 1 Performers: Marjorie Guthrie Venue: Glassboro, NJ ID#: 61Content Note: “Questions/interviews with children MG’s seeing for first time. Teaching demo of dance class for pre-school children” | Recorded April 13, 1957 | Recorded April 13, 19571/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel | Audio CD |
| A Report of Activities of Marjorie Mazia: Reel 2 Performers: Marjorie Guthrie Venue: Glassboro, NJ ID#: 62 Content Note: “Questions/interviews with children MG’s seeing for first time. Teaching demo of dance class for pre-school children” | Recorded April 13, 1957 | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel | Audio CD |
| Born to Win; We Ain’t Down Yet; Thinking About You; The Prophet Singer; No Beaches in Magic City; Gifts from the Sea; Pushing the Clouds Away; Home to the Sea Performers: Jess Pearson ID#: 64 Content Note: Jess Pearson reads prose selections by WG; content listing on box; 17 minutes | Recorded December 5, 1968 | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel | Audio CD |
| Sam Goody TM-900 3 3/4 ipsAudio CDI Remember Woody Performers: Earl Robinson, introduction by Sidney Harmon Venue: Oakwood School, North Hollywood, CA ID#: 9 Content Note: singing lecture | Recorded January 8, 1968 | Recorded January 8, 19681/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Audiotape Formula 10 – All Purpose (mylar) 3 3/4 ips Technical note: recorded only on one side | Audio CD |
| Speech Class at Dance Studio Performers: Irene Malin ID#: 60 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel Scotch/3M 200 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| The Life of Woody Guthrie: California to the New York Island ID#: 25 Content Note: may be a c ollege concert | Recorded 1975 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel BASF | Audio CD |
| Untitled (“Woody #2”) Venue: University of Southern California ID#: 48 Content Note: Theatrical adaptation of Woody Guthrie’s work; program in box | Recorded 1970 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Sony PR-150 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Hootenanny: Reel 1 Venue: Town Hall (New York, NY) ID#: 38 | Recorded April 17, 1965 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Technical note: recorded on both sides | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Hootenanny: Reel 2 Venue: Town Hall (New York, NY) ID#: 39 | Recorded April 17, 1965 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Hootenanny: Reel 3 Venue: Town Hall (New York, NY) ID#: 40 | Recorded April 17, 1965 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Carnegie Hall (January 20, 1968) Performers: Arlo Guthrie; Will Geer; Robert Ryan; Odetta; Bob Dylan; Judy Collins; Richie Havens; Tom Paxton Venue: Carnegie Hall ID#: 87 Content Note: revised safety, side B; content listing in box | Dated November 5, 1971 | 1/4″ Reel-to-reel tape | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Carnegie Hall (January 20, 1968) Performers: Arlo Guthrie; Will Geer; Robert Ryan; Odetta; Bob Dylan; Judy Collins; Richie Havens; Tom Paxton Venue: Carnegie Hall ID#: 90 Content Note: stereo outtakes; content listing in box | Dated November 5, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 202 H (polyester)1/4″ Reel-to-reel tape | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Carnegie Hall (January 20, 1968) Performers: Arlo Guthrie; Will Geer; Robert Ryan; Odetta; Bob Dylan; Judy Collins; Richie Havens; Tom Paxton Venue: Carnegie Hall ID#: 86 Content Note: stereo safety side A; content listing in box | Dated November 5, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 202 H (polyester)1/4″ Reel-to-reel tape | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Carnegie Hall (January 20, 1968) Performers: Arlo Guthrie; Will Geer; Robert Ryan; Odetta; Bob Dylan; Judy Collins; Richie Havens; Tom Paxton Venue: Carnegie Hall ID#: 88 Content Note: stereo safety side D; content listing in box | Dated November 5, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 202 H (polyester)1/4″ Reel-to-reel tape | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Carnegie Hall (January 20, 1968) Performers: Arlo Guthrie; Will Geer; Robert Ryan; Odetta; Bob Dylan; Judy Collins; Richie Havens; Tom Paxton Venue: Carnegie Hall ID#: 89 Content Note: stereo safety side D; content listing in box | Dated November 5, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 202 H (polyester)1/4″ Reel-to-reel tape | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Hollywood Bowl (September 12, 1970) Performers: Judy Collins; Robert Ryan; Tom Paxton; Richie Havens; Joan Baez; Peter Fonda; Country Joe McDonald; Will Geer; Earl Robinson; Jack Elliott; Odetta Venue: Hollywood Bowl ID#: 92 Content Note: stereo master | Dated June 16, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Ampex 434 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Hollywood Bowl (September 12, 1970) Performers: Judy Collins; Robert Ryan; Tom Paxton; Richie Havens; Joan Baez; Peter Fonda; Country Joe McDonald; Will Geer; Earl Robinson; Jack Elliott; Odetta Venue: Hollywood Bowl ID#: 93 Content Note: stereo master | Dated June 18, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 202 H (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Tribute Concert: Hollywood Bowl (September 12, 1970) Performers: Judy Collins; Robert Ryan; Tom Paxton; Richie Havens; Joan Baez; Peter Fonda; Country Joe McDonald; Will Geer; Earl Robinson; Jack Elliott; Odetta Venue: Hollywood Bowl ID#: 91 Content Note: stereo remix; content listing in box | Dated June 15, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 202 H (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie: Child of Dust: Reel 1 Performers: Tom Taylor Venue: Vincennes University (Vincennes, IN) ID#: 22 | Recorded May 17, 1977 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Certron 7 ips | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie: Child of Dust: Reel 2 Performers: Tom Taylor Venue: Vincennes University (Vincennes, IN) ID#: 23 Content Note: theatrical performance | Recorded May 17, 1977 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Sony PR-150 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Woody Sez Performers: Phillip Rayher (Compiler and Director) Venue: Dudley Rigg’s Experimental Theater Company (Minneapolis, MN) ID#: 24 Content Note: theatrical performance | Recorded January 1976 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Memorex 3 3/4 ips | Audio CD |
| The Woody Guthrie Story/George Lorrie’s Grand Concert of Folk Music WNCN (New York, NY) Millard Lampell, host ID#: 59 Content Note: copies of 78 rpm discs | Broadcast April 13, 1959 | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel Scotch/3M 200 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Adversity Performers: Woody Guthrie (music); Jack Peters (words) ID#: 50 | undated | Audio CD |
SERIES III: RADIO SHOWS:
contains recordings of radio shows ranging from 1940 to 1975. Most of these shows are memorial and tribute programs broadcast shortly before or after Guthrie’s death in 1967 on stations across the continental United States. A significant number also include interview segments with Marjorie Mazia Guthrie. The collection also includes rare recordings of Guthrie performances on radio stations in the United States and abroad, including “Woody Guthrie’s Children’s Hour,” recorded for the British Broadcasting Company in London in 1944 while Guthrie was on active duty with the Merchant Marine, and a recording of Guthrie performing “High Floods Low Waters” on Oscar Brand’s WNYC radio show in 1940.| Title | Date | Original Format | Research Format |
| Bound for Glory Kerry Fagelman, producer and director ID#: 47 Content Note: “a radio program on Woody Guthrie, his music, his writing, and the man”; 2 1/2 hoursundated1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Sunset (Interphoto Corp) 1800A (acetate) 3 3/4 ipsAudio CDBound for Glory: Reel 1 National Public Radio ID#: 33 | Broadcast 1975 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 7 1/2 ips | Audio CD |
| Bound for Glory: Reel 2 National Public Radio ID#: 34 | Broadcast 1975 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 7 1/2 ips | Audio CD |
| Bound for Glory: Reel 3 National Public Radio ID#: 35 | Broadcast 1975 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 7 1/2 ips | Audio CD |
| Bound for Glory: Reel 4 National Public Radio ID#: 36 | Broadcast 1975 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 7 1/2 ips | Audio CD |
| Bound for Glory: Reel 1 British Broadcasting Company Ann Catchpole, producer Recorded on ID#: 31 | April 10, 1968 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel 7 1/2 ips Technical note: recording information in box. Tape number LLN42TQ877 | Audio CD |
| Bound for Glory: Reel 2 British Broadcasting Company Ann Catchpole, producer ID#: 30 | Broadcast April 10, 1968 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Emitape 7 1/2 ips Technical note: Tape number LLN42TQ877 | Audio CD |
| Grand Concert of Folk Music Millard Lampell, host ID#: 11 Content Note: content listing on box | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Lafayette Radio | Audio CD |
| High Floods Low Waters WNYC (New York, NY) Woody Guthrie, performer; Oscar Brand, host ID#: 74 Content Note: from Oscar Brand | Recorded 1940 | 1/4″ audiotape, 3″ reel RCA 15A1 PM | Audio CD |
| Broadcast July 19641/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M LR 1278 7 1/2 ips Technical note: mono; experimental binder formulationAudio CDMarjorie Guthrie: Reel 1 ID#: 44 Content Note: Produced by Columbia Records | Recorded May 31, 1972 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel 7 1/2 ips | Audio CD |
| Audio CDThe Many Faces of Folk Music Program #5: Reel I United States Armed Forces Radio Service , KFOX (Long Beach, CA) Hugh Cherry, host ID#: 27 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M | Audio CD |
| The Many Faces of Folk Music Program #5: Reel II ( radio show ) United States Armed Forces Radio Service , KFOX (Long Beach, CA) Hugh Cherry, host ID#: 21 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel | Audio CD |
| The Martins & The Coys British Broadcasting Company ID#: 8 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Audiotape Formula 10 – All Purpose (acetate | Audio CD |
| Observation Point Marjorie Guthrie, interviewee; Duncan McDonald, host ID#: 12 Content Note: content listing on box | Broadcast July 25, 1966 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 111 (acetate) | Audio CD |
| The Passing Scene #393 Voice of America Woody Guthrie, performer; Bing Crosby, performer; Logan English, performer; Valentine Pringle, performer; Jim Parisi, host ID#: 85 Content Note: index and transcript in box | Broadcast May 4, 1966 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 111 (acetate) | Audio CD |
| Si Zentner Show KLAV (Las Vegas, NV) Marjorie Guthrie, interviewee ID#: 66 | undated | 1/4″ audiotape, 5″ reel | Audio CD |
| Something to Say WFLFN (Philadelphia, PA) Taylor Grant, host ID#: 75Content Note: Editorial tribute to Woody Guthrie, one day after Guthrie’s death | Broadcast October 4, 1967 | 1/4″ audiotape, 3″ reel Audiotape 3.25 PB (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Untitled radio show: Reel 1 WQXR (New York, NY) ID#: 4 | Broadcast July 17, 1966 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M RB-7 (polyester) | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie “Folk Music” WQXR (New York, NY) ID#: 82 Content Note: dub | Broadcast August 9, 1964 | 1/4″ audiotape, 10 1/2″ reel Scotch/3M 111 (acetate) | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Children’s Hour British Broadcasting Company Woody Guthrie, performer ID#: 32 Content Note: access copy exists | Broadcast July 7, 1944 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 7 1/2 ips | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Day CBS Radio Mike Wallace, host ID#: 43 | Broadcast July 14, 1971 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Sony R7-A | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Memorial Program WAVA-FM (Washington, DC) ID#: 20 Content Note: letter in box | Broadcast October 29, 1967 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel | Audio CD |
| Woody Guthrie Memorial Program: Reel 1 WQXR (New York, NY) ID#: 28 | Broadcast March 1964 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M 7 1/2 ips | Audio CD |
| Woody’s Children WQXR (New York, NY) ID#: 19 | Broadcast July 12, 1969 | 1/4″ audiotape, 7″ reel Scotch/3M (polyester backed) | Audio CD |