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This collection has access restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This collection has use restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the Duplication Policy section for more information.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 8.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 4050 items) |
| Abstract | Betty Johnson was born on 16 March 1929 in Guilford County, N.C. As a child, Johnson traveled throughout the South as a member of the Johnson Family Singers, a gospel and popular music group. Betty Johnson's solo career as a pop-standard and cabaret singer took off in 1954 when she joined the Csida-Grean management company. Throughout the 1950s, Johnson recorded songs, appeared on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club radio show, and performed on various television shows. From 1957 to 1962 she was a cast member of Jack Parr's Tonight Show in New York, N.Y. Betty Johnson stopped performing in 1964 when she married New York City investment banker Arthur Gray Jr. and moved to New Hampshire. In 1993, Johnson re-entered show business with a cabaret act at The Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel in New York. In the mid-1990s, she launched her own record label, Bliss Tavern Records, based in Haverhill, N.H., which distributes new and re-released records by Betty Johnson, her daughters Lydia and Elizabeth Gray, and the Johnson Family Singers. The collection consists of manuscript and published orchestral scores of popular songs; drafts and an audiobook version of Betty Johnson's autobiography, In Her Own Words; a complete discography; a small amount of correspondence, chiefly between Betty Johnson and her brother Kenneth Johnson regarding acquisition of rare recordings for deposit into the Southern Folklife Collection; commercially produced music recordings of Betty Johnson's singles, albums, demonstration samples, associated compilations, and a few radio programs featuring Johnson; and published non-fiction books, chiefly regarding popular music and the performing arts, that mention or relate to Betty Johnson. |
| Creator | Johnson, Betty, 1929- |
| Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection. |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Processing Information
Processed by: Sara Mannheimer, October 2012
Encoded by: Sara Mannheimer, October 2012
Updated by: Anne Wells, June 2019
Finding aid updated by Amanda Loeb in March 2014 because of addition.
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Biographical Information
Betty Johnson was born on 16 March 1929 in Guilford County, N.C. As a child, Johnson was a member of the Johnson Family Singers, a gospel and popular music group that included her father Jesse Deverin ("Pa") Johnson, mother Lydia Florence ("Ma") Craven, and her three brothers, Kenneth Marshall Johnson and twins Bob and Jim Johnson. The family had a contract with WBT AM radio, a CBS affiliate in Charlotte, N.C., from 1938 to 1951.
Betty Johnson embarked on a solo career as a pop-standard and cabaret singer in 1952, and joined the Csida-Grean management company, which also handled the careers of Eddy Arnold and Bobby Darin, in 1954. After recording songs with Columbia Records (1951-1952), Bell Records (1954), and RCA-Victor Records (1955), Johnson moved to Chicago, Ill., to appear on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club radio show. The show led to a contract with the small record company Bally Records, on which she released her first hit song, "I Dreamed," in 1956. Throughout the late 1950s, Johnson performed on television on the Ed Sullivan Show, Eddy Arnold Time, and as a spokesperson for Borden milk, before joining the cast of Jack Parr's Tonight Show in New York, N.Y., from 1957 to 1962. In 1957, Johnson signed a contract with Atlantic Records and recorded the Billboard chart-topping song "Little Blue Man" and several other hits with the label.
Betty Johnson was married three times. In 1949, she married Dick Redding and had a son, Harold Richard ("Dicky") Redding; the couple divorced in 1954. In 1957, Johnson married the producer Charles Grean; the couple divorced in 1961. In 1964, after marrying New York City investment banker Arthur Gray Jr., Johnson stopped performing and moved to New Hampshire to raise a family and attend college.
In 1993, Johnson re-entered show business with a cabaret act at The Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel in New York City. The performance, and a subsequent interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air, galvanized renewed public interest in Johnson's music. In the mid-1990s, Johnson launched her own record label, Bliss Tavern Records, based in Haverhill, N.H., which distributes new and re-released records by Johnson, her daughters Lydia Gray and Elizabeth Gray, and the Johnson Family Singers.
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Scope and Content
The collection consists of manuscript and published orchestral scores of popular songs; drafts and an audiobook version of Betty Johnson's autobiography, In Her Own Words; a complete discography; a small amount of correspondence, chiefly between Betty Johnson and her brother Kenneth Johnson regarding acquisition of rare recordings for deposit into the Southern Folklife Collection; commercially-produced music recordings of Betty Johnson's singles, albums, demonstration samples, associated compilations, and a few radio programs featuring Johnson; and published non-fiction books, chiefly regarding popular music and the performing arts, that mention or relate to Betty Johnson.
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Papers, 1947-2012.
Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Manuscript and published orchestral arrangements of popular songs; drafts and audiobook version of Betty Johnson's autobiography, In Her Own Words; a complete discography; diplomas; a small amount of correspondence; and other materials.
| Folder 1 |
Correspondence, 2012Correspondence between Betty Johnson and Kenneth Johnson, chiefly regarding the acquisition of rare Johnson Family Singers recordings for deposit into the Southern Folklife Collection; also includes a fan letter and letters from music royalty distribution company CD Baby. |
| Folder 2 |
Diplomas, 1947 and 1980From Harding High School in Charlotte, N.C., and the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H. |
| Folder 3 |
Discography, 2012Prepared by Kenneth Johnson. |
Folder 4-8
Folder 4Folder 5Folder 6Folder 7Folder 8 |
Enclosures from books, 1997, 2009, 2012Chiefly clippings and short letters regarding the books; there is also a packing list of books donated to the Southern Folklife Collection, 2012 (Folder 6). |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10139 |
In Her Own Words, 2007Audiobook version, comprised of eight compact discs, of Betty Johnson's autobiography, narrated by the author and intercut with musical tracks by Johnson and the Johnson Family Singers. Enclosures separated: See folder 8. |
Folder 9-19
Folder 9Folder 10Folder 11Folder 12Folder 13Folder 14Folder 15Folder 16Folder 17Folder 18Folder 19 |
In Her Own Words, drafts, circa 2003-2005Three draft manuscripts of Betty Johnson's autobiography. Version one includes Betty Johnson's discography, 2003 emails from former WBT radio employee Jack Burney, and obituaries of unknown relationship to the collection for Kenneth O. Jones and Denise Grey. Suggestions for tracks by Johnson and the Johnson Family Singers, to be included in the audiobook, are scattered throughout the manuscripts. |
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Series 2. Scores, 1957-1959 and undated.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by title.
Chiefly manuscript orchestral arrangements by Betty Johnson, Jack Andrews, Joe Lipman, Charles Grean, Luther Henderson, and others, of gospel and popular songs. There is a small amount of published sheet music. Also included are packing lists from Betty Johnson's mailed donations to the Southern Folklife Collection that list the song titles included in each shipment and the folders she used for storing scores for performances.
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Series 3. Music Recordings, 1954-2007 and undated.
Arrangement follows discography prepared by Kenneth Johnson, 2012 (see folder 3).
Commercially-produced recordings, including 45s, 78s, 12-inch and 16-inch transcription discs, 12-inch lacquers, and compact discs. Except where noted, all recordings are by Betty Johnson. The recordings are chiefly singles and demonstration samples, with a few albums, compilations, and radio program transcriptions.
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Subseries 3.1. Bell Records, New York, N.Y., 1954.
| 78-rpm Disc 78rpm-20316/19281 |
"Cuddle Me," 195478 rpm released by Music Hall Records, Argentina. |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/9 |
Rendezvous with Betty Johnson, 195445-rpm record Varieton, Germany: POP-33 Previously listed as 45-9231 |
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Subseries 3.2. Bally Records, Chicago, Ill., circa 1956-1957.
| 78-rpm Disc 78rpm-20316/19282 |
"1492"/"Little White Lies," circa 1956-195778 rpm |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/4 |
"I'm Beginning to Wonder"/"The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love," circa 1956-195745-rpm record London Records, Australia: 45-HL-1248 Previously listed as 45-9226 |
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Subseries 3.3. Atlantic Records, New York, N.Y., 1958-1960.
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/13 |
"Winter in Miami"/"The Little Blue Man," circa 1958-196045-rpm record London Records, Australia: 45-HL-1325 Previously listed as 45-9235 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/3 |
"Dream"/"How Much," 195845-rpm record London Records, United Kingdom: 45-HL-E 8678 Previously listed as 45-9225 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/11 |
"There's Never Been a Night"/"Dream," circa 1958-196045-rpm record London Records: 45-HL 7065 Previously listed as 45-9233 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/8 |
"Hoopla Hoola"/"One More Time," circa 1958-196045-rpm record demonstration sample, London Records, Australia: 45-HL-1446 Previously listed as 45-9230 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/6 |
"Little Blue Man," circa 1958-196045-rpm record London Records, United Kingdom: MSM 2273, HLE 8557 Previously listed as 45-9228 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/10 |
"The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love," circa 1958-196045-rpm record demonstration sample, London Records, United Kingdom: MSM 2274, HLE 8557 Previously listed as 45-9232 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/1 |
"Dream," circa 1958-196045-rpm record demonstration sample, London Records, United Kingdom: MSM-2724, HLE 8678 Previously listed as 45-9223 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/2 |
"Hoopa Hoola," circa 1958-196045-rpm record demonstration sample, London Records, United Kingdom: MSM-2946, HLE 8725 Previously listed as 45-9224 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/5 |
"Little Blue Man"/"The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love," circa 1958-196045-rpm record London Records, United Kingdom: 45-HLE 8557 Previously listed as 45-9227 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/7 |
"Hoopla Hoola,"/"One More Time," circa 1958-196045-rpm record Versailles Records, France: 45/6673 Previously listed as 45-9229 |
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Subseries 3.4. Other Labels, 1954-1963.
| 78-rpm Disc 78rpm-20316/19283 |
"The Touch," from the film Touchez Pas Au Grisbi, 195478 rpm from Duchess BMI, France. |
| Instantaneous Disc FD-20316/1297 |
"The Story of Betty's Goose," recorded 5 December 195512-inch lacquer transcription disc from NBC and American Broadcasting Company, New York, N.Y. |
| Instantaneous Disc FD-20316/1 |
"Candid Camera," 196212" Instantaneous Disc Fine Recording, Inc., New York, N.Y. Includes 3 takes of the song. Previously listed as FD-20316/1294 |
| 45-rpm Disc 45rpm-20316/12 |
"Wednesday's Child"/"What's the Matter Little Girl," 196345-rpm record World Artists Records/Dutch CNR Records, Netherlands: F 360, M5245 A Previously listed as 45-9234 |
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Subseries 3.5. Betty Johnson's Retirement Career, 1997-2007.
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10143 |
The Johnson Family Singers: We Sang for Our Supper, compact disc companion to the book by Kenneth M. Johnson, 1997Produced by Bliss Tavern Music, Haverhill, N.H. Released by American Made Music, University Press of Mississippi. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10146 |
Sunday Morning in Dixie, The Johnson Family Singers, 2002Collected and remastered by Bliss Tavern Records, Haverhill, N.H. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10144 |
Make Yourself Comfortable, 2004Full-length album from Bliss Tavern Records, Haverhill, N.H. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10147 |
Take Me Along, 2006Full-length album from Bliss Tavern Records, Haverhill, N.H. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10145 |
Singing on the Mountain, The Johnson Family Singers, 2007Collected and remastered by Bliss Tavern Records, Haverhill, N.H. |
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Subseries 3.6. Other Compact Disc Releases, 1999-2005 and undated.
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10141 |
Early Girls, Volume 4, 2005From ACE Records, United Kingdom; includes "Little White Lies," by Betty Johnson, 1957. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10142 |
Hard to Find 45s on CD: Volume 3, The Mid-Fifties, 1999From Eric Records, San Leandro, Calif; includes "Frankie Laine" and "The Tarriers," by Betty Johnson. |
| Music Compact Disc CD-20316/10140 |
Creatures from Outerspace!, undatedIncludes The Little Blue Man by Betty Johnson; produced by Canetoad Records, Australia. |
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Subseries 3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated.
Includes Department of Defense and Treasury Department releases.
| Transcription Disc TR-20316/1380 |
Armed Forces Radio and Television Service Station Library (Department of Defense), Betty Johnson, undated16-inch transcription disc from the Office of Armed Forces Information and Education, Department of Defense. One side contains Betty Johnson performing "Hoopa Hoola," "The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love," "How Much," "One More Time," and "Dream," with Charles Grean and his orchestra; and "I'm Beginning to Wonder" with the Lew Douglas Orchestra. The flip side contains Mindy Carson. |
| Transcription Disc TR-20316/1382 |
"Guest Star," 26 October 195816-inch transcription disc of radio recording number 605, from the Treasury Department, U.S. Savings Bonds Division. Songs listed on the original sleeve are "Dream" and "Mr. Brown is Out of Town," by Betty Johnson, and "It Never Entered My Mind" and "You're Mine You," by Jane Russell. |
| Transcription Disc TR-20316/1381 |
"Guest Star," 11 November 196216-inch transcription disc of a radio recording from the Treasury Department, U.S. Savings Bonds Division. |
| Instantaneous Disc FD-20316/2 |
Stars for Defense, program number 73 with Betty Johnson narration, 17 January, 195812" Instantaneous Disc Gotham Recording Company, New York, N.Y. Previously listed as FD-20316/1295 |
| Transcription Disc TR-20316/544 |
Stars for Defense, program number 250 with Betty Johnson, 16 July 196112-inch transcription disc from the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. The flip side contains program number 249 with Johnny Mercer, 9 July 1961. |
| Transcription Disc TR-20316/545 |
Stars for Defense, program number 337 with Betty Johnson, 17 March 196312-inch transcription disc from the Office of Civil Defense. Hand-written notation on the original sleeve indicates that the disc includes the Betty Johnson songs "Who Cares," "How Little We Know," "Wake Up," and "My Favorite Things." The flip side contains program number 338 with the Buffalo Bills, 24 March 1963, including the songs "Two Blue Pigeons," "Your Eyes Have Told Me So," "Riverboat Shuffle," and "You Don't Need Her." |
| Instantaneous Disc FD-20316/1296 |
Stars for Defense, program number 375 with Betty Johnson, 5 November 196312-inch lacquer transcription disc from Gotham Recording Company, New York, N.Y. |
| Transcription Disc TR-20316/546 |
Stars for Defense, program number 539 with Betty Johnson, 5 February 196712-inch transcription disc from the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. The flip side contains program number 540 with Arthur Prysock, 12 February 1967. |
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Series 4. Published Books, 1993-2012.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by title.
Published non-fiction books that refer or relate to Betty Johnson. Topics are chiefly popular music and the performing arts. A few books are signed by the authors.
| Box 11 |
The Back Stage Handbook for Performing Artists, Revised and Enlarged Third Edition, 1995By Sherry Eaker. New York, N.Y.: Back Stage Books. |
The Brady Families of Randolph County, N.C., 2007By Laverne Brady-Davis. Southern Pines, N.C.: Self-published. Enclosures separated: See Folder 4. |
|
Eddy Arnold: Pioneer of the Nashville Sound, 1997By Michael Streissguth. New York, N.Y.: Schirmer Books. Enclosures separated: See Folder 7. |
|
Finding Her Voice: The Saga of Women in Country Music, 1993By Mary A. Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann. New York, N.Y.: Crown Publishers. |
|
The Johnson Family Singers: We Sang for Our Supper, 1997By Kenneth M. Johnson. Jackson, Miss.: University Press of Mississippi. Enclosures separated: See Folder 5 and CD-20316/10143. |
|
Living Legends and Ultimate Singers, Musicians, and Entertainers, Volume II (H-Z) of World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music, and Entertainment, 2007By Maximillien J. de Lafayette. New York, N.Y.: iUniverse, Inc. |
|
The Persian Room Presents: An Oral History of New York's Most Magical Night Spot, 2012By Patty Farmer. New York, N.Y.: Vantage Press. |
|
Queens College of Charlotte Alumni Directory, 1986, 1996, 2001Purchase, N.Y.: Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company, Inc. |
|
Raised on Radio, 1998By Gerald Nachman. New York, N.Y.: Pantheon Books. |
|
Roads Less Traveled, 2009By John Walters. Concord, N.H.: Plaidswede Publishing. |
|
Showbiz, Pioneers, Best Singers, Entertainers, and Musicians from 1606 to the Present: Historical, Thematic, and Biographical: Volume IV of the World Who's Who in Jazz, Cabaret, Music, and Entertainment, 2007By Maximillien J. de Lafayette. New York, N.Y.: Federation of American Musicians, Singers, and Performing Artists (FAMSPA). Enclosures separated: See Folder 6. |
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Addition of February 2013: Betty Johnson Website.
Website of singer Betty Johnson and her family. The site includes information about her albums and songs, photographs, biographical materials, and information about her family.
| Digital Item DI-20316/1 |
Website (betty-johnson.com)Harvested using Archive-It, beginning in October 2013. |
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Items Separated