Burton Wilson graduated in 1941 from the Rhode Island School of Design where he
studied sculpture. While a student, one of his sculptures was accepted and displayed
at the 1940 World’s Fair in New York City. Following World War II, Wilson returned
to the Rhode Island School of Design to take some ceramics classes. During 1965-1967
Wilson studied photography at the University of Texas under famous documentary
photographer, Russell Lee. His personal interest in jazz and blues music led Wilson
to music photography. Wilson was house photographer for the Vulcan Gas Company
concert venue between 1967 and 1970. He then became house photographer for the
legendary Armadillo World Headquarters. As a house and freelance photographer,
Wilson has photographed such notable musicians as Willie Nelson, Bruce Springsteen,
Frank Zappa, Doug Sahm, Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Muddy Waters, and many others.
In 1971, Wilson published Burton’s Book of
Blues, a collection of photographs taken of musicians in Texas
and California. Eakin Press published his most recent book, The Austin Music Scene Through the Lens of Burton Wilson,
1965-1994, in 2001.
The Burton Wilson Collection, [ca. 1920-2000], contains photographs of musicians,
primarily at Vulcan Gas Company and Armadillo World Headquarters. Wilson’s extensive
personal collection of early jazz and blues records forms the bulk of the
collection. Furthermore, the collection includes examples of Wilson’s writings, such
as his newsletter, which recounts his reminiscences and documents all aspects of his
daily life and career. These newsletters often contain clippings and photographs.
Unrestricted access.
Audio recordings may be used only by appointment with the Sound Archivist.
Burton Wilson Collection, circa 1920s-2000, Dolph Briscoe Center for American
History, University of Texas at Austin.
This collection was processed by
Amy Armstrong, January 2008. Subsequent revisions were made by Megan Mummey, June 2010.
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Inventory |
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| 3S246 |
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Photographs: Burton Wilson Photograph Exhibit |
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| 3S187.1 |
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Exhibit photograph |
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| 3Y193 |
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Photographs |
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| 4Za166 |
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Dolph Briscoe Center for American History Exhibit, “From the
Vulcan to the Armadillo: Burton Wilson Photographs,
1967-1974” |
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Burton Wilson Newsletters: |
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1960-1994 |
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1991-2000 |
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2001 |
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Burton’s Book of the Blues (clippings,
correspondence) |
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Japan (correspondence), 1976-1977 |
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Mance, (correspondence with Glenn Myers, biographer of Mance
Lipscomb), 1976-1982 |
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Photos in ads and texts |
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Binns (ceramic lectures by Charles F. Binns) |
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Burton Wilson 78s (inventory of phonodiscs in
collection) |
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| 2.325/S102 |
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Clippings |
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Black and White Photographic Prints: |
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La Zona Rosa, Joe Ely, Snuff Johnson, Kurt Van Sickle, Frank
Zappa, Jerry Lee Lewis, Grey Ghost |
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Willie Nelson’s First Picnic |
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Joe Ely, Emmylou Harris, Dr. John, Grey Ghost |
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The Vulcan Gas Company, October 1967-April 1970 |
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Writings: |
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Miscellaneous |
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“Ivy Dome” by Burton Wilson (photocopy of manuscript), April 1994 |
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“It’s Snow Time” by Burton Wilson (photocopy of manuscript), 1993 |
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Photograph Log |
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Calendars (featuring Wilson photos), 1991, 2000 |
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Publications: |
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Design Quarterly, 1958 |
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Shelter II, 1978 |
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VHS tape: |
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“The Photography of Burton Wilson,” July 1999 |
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Texas Entertainment News, Show #6 Broadcast (Promo for Show
#7 at end), February 24-25 1996 |
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“Rock N’ Roll Cities – Austin, Texas” (VH-1
series) |
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Armadillo World Headquarters Photo Essay, KXAN, September 8, 1988 |
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Audiocassette tape: |
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Mance Lipscomb at Vulcan Gas Company |
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Assorted Documents (regarding music and pottery and photograph
career) |
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| 2.325/D32a |
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Oversized Music Posters and Clippings |
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| 4Za167 - 4Za171 |
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78 rpm 10-inch phonodiscs: |
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Alabama Sam |
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Albennie Jones |
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Arkansas Travellers |
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Albert Ammons |
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Albert Ammon & Rhythm Kings |
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Albert Clemens & Joe Williams |
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Alex Hill |
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Alfoncy Harris |
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Alonzo Yancey |
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Amos Milburn |
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Andy Boy |
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Arbee Stidham Orchestra |
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Ardell Bragg |
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B. B. King |
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Blind Darby |
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Bessie Smith |
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Boyd Senter |
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Boyd Senter & his Senterpedes |
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Blind John Davis |
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Blind Blake |
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Blind Lemon Jefferson |
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Blind Mack |
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Bob Wills & his Texas Playboys Cannon’s Jug
Stompers |
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Bumble Bee Slim |
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Cab Calloway Orchestra |
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Bertha “Chippie” Hill |
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Bessie Smith |
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Bessie Smith & Down Home Trio |
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Big Bill |
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Big Bill Johnson |
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Big Bill & his Chicago Five |
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Billie Holiday |
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Bo Carter |
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The Blind Pilgrim |
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Blue Jay Boys |
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Brownie McGhee |
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Bunk Johnson & Yerba Buena Jazz Band |
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Charley Jordan |
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Charioteers |
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Charlie Patton |
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Cab Calloway |
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Carl Martin |
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Carter Family |
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Casey Bill |
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Charles Thompson |
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Clara Smith |
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Cleo Brown |
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The Clovers |
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Cow Cow Davenport |
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Delmore Bros. |
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Dink’s Good Time Music Ma Rainey |
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Dizzie Dean |
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Doctor Clayton |
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E. E. Hack String Band |
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Ed Lang & Lonnie Johnson/Mamie Smith |
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Eddie Hill |
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Edith Wilson & J. Dunn JazzHounds |
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Elijah Jones |
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Ethel Waters |
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Ethel Waters and Ebony Four |
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Eva Taylor |
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Eva Taylor & Clar. Williams Blue 5 |
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Frisky Foot Jackson & his Thumpers |
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Georgia Tom |
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Georgia White |
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Golden Gate Quartet |
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Ham Gravy |
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Hank Williams |
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Henry Thomas |
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Harlem Hamfats |
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Honey Hill |
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Hot Lips Page Trio/Huddy Leadbelly |
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Howlin’ Wolf |
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Huddie Leadbelly |
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Jay McShann |
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JB & Bayou Boys |
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Jabo Williams |
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Jabo Williams/Wesley Wallace |
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Jimmy McCracklin |
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Jelly Roll Morton/Levee Serenaders |
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Jelly Roll Morton |
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Jess Stacy |
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Jimmy Yancey |
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Joe Sullivan |
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Joe Turner |
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Joe Venuti & Orchestra |
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Joe Venuti’s Rhythm Boys |
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Joe Venuti Blue 4 |
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Johnny Dodds |
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Johnny Dodds/Jelly Roll Morton |
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Johnnie Temple |
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Josh White |
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Jelly-Roll Morton/Red Hot Peppers |
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Jim Jackson |
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Jimmie Rodgers |
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Jimmie Yancey & Faber Smith |
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John Estes |
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Joe Turner & Pete Johnson |
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Kansas City Bill Weldon |
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Kokomo Arnold |
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Leadbelly |
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Lee Brown |
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Lee Morse |
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Leroy Carr |
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Leroy Carr & Scrapper Blackwell |
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Lee Morse & her South. Serenaders |
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Lee Morse & her Blue Grass Boys |
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Lee Wiley |
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Lemon Jefferson |
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Leona Williams & Her Dixie Band |
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Leroy’s Buddy (Bill Gaither) |
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Lightening [sic] Hopkins |
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Little Brother |
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Little Brother/Leroy Carr |
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Little Brother & Tampa Red |
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Little Brother Montgomery |
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Little Sylvia Vanderpool & Mickey Baker Band |
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Lonnie Johnson |
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Ma Rainey & her Georgia Band |
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Mamie Smith & her Jazz Hounds |
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Mary Stafford & Jazz Band |
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Meade ‘Lux’ Lewis |
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Memphis Jug Band |
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Memphis Slim |
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Minnie Wallace & the Night Hawks |
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Mobile Strugglers |
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Montana Taylor |
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Muddy Waters |
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Ollie Shepard |
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Papa Charlie McCoy |
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Peetie Wheatstraw |
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Pete Johnson |
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Pete Johnson Band |
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Pete Johnson & Albert Ammons |
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Pete Johnson & Boogie Woogie Boys |
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Pink Anderson & Simmie Dooley |
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Piron’s New Orleans Orchestra |
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Ray Charles |
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Red Lowery |
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Richard M. Jones |
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Rob Cooper |
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Romeo Nelson |
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Roosevelt Sykes |
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Sam Price & His Texans |
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Sam Price & Texas Blusicians |
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Scrapper Blackwell |
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Sister Rosetta Tharpe |
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Sister Vera Copeland |
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Sleepy John Estes |
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Sodarisa Miller |
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Sophie Tucker |
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Spike Jones & His City Slickers |
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State St. Ramblers |
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St. Paul Church Choir of L.A. |
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T-Bone Walker |
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Tampa Blue Jazz Band |
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Tampa Red |
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Tampa Red and Chicago Five |
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Tampa Red & Georgia Tom |
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Texas Alexander |
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Teddy Bunn |
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Texas Bill Day & Billiken Johnson |
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Tiny Parham & his Musicians |
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Tiny Parham and Orchestra/Jelly-Roll Martin |
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Tiny Parham/Boots & Buddies |
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Trixie Smith |
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Vic Meyers Orchestra |
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Victor Military Band |
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Walter Davis |
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Walter Roland |
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Washboard Rhythm Kings |
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Washboard Wonders |
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Washboard Sam and Band |
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Walter Vincent |
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Will Batts |
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Yas Yas Girl |
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Yas Yas Girl & the Jazz Boys |
