MS 050 - Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads Archives

Collection

Identifier: MS 050

Staff Only

Abstract

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center established its Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads program in 1982 as an annual gathering of performers, students and scholars of western music. Its purpose was to encourage and enable participants to share songs, musical styles and techniques, and information; to encourage public performance by traditional cowboy singers and musicians; to provide a basis for field research leading to the discovery of traditional cowboy music; and to promote public awareness and appreciation of cowboy music as a regional and living tradition. Cowboy songs are richly reflective of the lifestyle, attitudes, values and events of the cowboy--mythical, romanticized, actual, past and present. Originating as work songs, they are expressive and representative of one of the most significant labor groups chosen to symbolize the American West. The program was discontinued in 2009.

Dates

Created: 1982-2009

Creator

Buffalo Bill Historical Center (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

McCracken Library staff may determine use restrictions dependent on the physical condition of manuscript materials. Restrictions may exist on reproduction, quotation or publication. Contact McCracken Research Library for more information.

Extent

18.00 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement Note

The Cowboy Songs and Range Ballads collection (No. 50) is arranged chronologically as follows: Outline of Series Arrangement Series 1: Papers and Photographs Various Un-dated Year Sub-series within Papers and Photographs include: Mission statement; Other programs; Advertisements (includes press releases); Brochures (usually trifold advertisements that can be mailed); Postcards (Rack cards that are also postcards); Posters; Rack cards (that are not postcards); Announcements (things said at the beginning and during the programs usually by the MC); Bibliography; Committee (includes all in-house correspondence/notes, planning & logistics of housing and flight plans. Does not include any financial reports of hotels and flights, these are included in the financial folders. Includes Xeroxed selections of books, magazines, etc. as well as research materials.); Correspondence (all letters created for mailing for schools, etc.); Database; Donors & Support; Fact Sheet; Fashion Show (happened in 1995); Financial (Includes grant proposals); Handouts (things handed out to audience members); Independent contractors; Lyrics/Sheet Music; Mission Statement (for individual year); Music CD Production; Performer Feedback; Performers (including permission forms for Wyoming Public Television, bios, phots, A-V information and Questionnaire, Sing for Your Supper Assignments); Permission Forms; Commemorative CD 25 yrs; Programs; Record Keeping (includes attendance); Recording Log; Restricted files (NWCC class enrollment 1993); Schedule (including blank schedules); School program; Signage; Solicitations; Student photography project (only 1992); Supplies & Spaces needed; Symposium; Tickets & coupons; Visitor feedback; Volunteers; Photographs Series 2: A/V Recordings: Audio and Video Series 3: Objects Sub-series: pins