Timeline extended for launch of Wilson Library facilities work.

Collection Number: 20520

Collection Title: David Deese Collection, 1961-1980

This collection has access 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.


Archival processing of the David Deese Collection was made possible through a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Collection Overview

Size 1 foot of linear shelf space (approximately 35 items)
Abstract The David Deese Collection consists of audio recordings of bluegrass and country music and related documentation compiled by banjo player, David Deese. Audio recordings, 1961-1980, are made up of personal recordings, festival recordings, radio programs, and dubs of commercial recordings. Of particular note is a tape of commercial recordings sent to David Deese when he served in the Vietnam War. Related documentation consists of tape logs of recordings found in the collection and elsewhere.
Creator Deese, David (Clonnie David), 1941-2011.
Curatorial Unit University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.
Language English
Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Information For Users

Restrictions to Access
Use of audio or moving image materials may require production of listening or viewing copies.
Access to streaming audio or moving image materials may be restricted to researchers who can authenticate with an ONYEN or who are physically present on campus. For further information about access to streaming audiovisual materials, contact Research and Instructional Services staff at Wilsonlibrary@unc.edu
Restrictions to Use
No usage restrictions.
Copyright Notice
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], in the 20520 #David Deese Collection, Southern Folklife Collection, The Wilson Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Acquisitions Information
Received from Connie Dee Christman in December 2015 (Acc. 102487).
Sensitive Materials Statement
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the North Carolina Public Records Act (N.C.G.S. § 132 1 et seq.), and Article 7 of the North Carolina State Personnel Act (Privacy of State Employee Personnel Records, N.C.G.S. § 126-22 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill assumes no responsibility.
Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Processing Information

Processed by: Brad San Martin and Anne Wells, January 2018

Encoded by: Anne Wells, January 2018

Archival processing of the David Deese Collection was made possible through a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse 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.

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Biographical Information

Clonnie David Deese (1941-2011) was a banjo player born in Salisbury, N.C. Deese played in Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys band and was part of the Bluegrass Cut-Ups with bluegrass and country musician, Red Smiley. He also played alongside The Jones Brothers, Arthur Smith, and WBT Briarhoppers, among others. Along with all of the WBT Briarhoppers, Deese was inducted into the WBT Radio Hall of Fame and was recognized by the North Carolina State Legislature under a special bill acknowledging the band's importance in state history and American music. And along with his fellow Blue Grass Boys band members, Deese was named a Kentucky Colonel, a title of honor bestowed by the Governor of Kentucky. Deese served in the Vietnam War and was an accountant and tax service preparer for more than 37 years, owning Deese Accounting and Bookkeeping.

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Scope and Content

The David Deese Collection consists of audio recordings of bluegrass and country music and related documentation compiled by banjo player, David Deese. Audio recordings, 1961-1980, are made up of personal recordings, festival recordings, radio programs, and dubs of commercial recordings. Of particular note is a tape of commercial recordings sent to David Deese when he served in the Vietnam War. Recordings are on 1/4" open reel audio. Related documentation consists of tape logs of recordings found in the collection and elsewhere. Tape logs include artist names, song titles, and timecode.

Back to Top

Contents list

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series Quick Links

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 1. Audio Recordings, 1961-1980 and undated.

26 items.

Arrangement: Original order has been maintained.

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/1

Tape 1: Various artists

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Country Gentlemen, the Monroe Brothers, Patsy Cline, Peter Paul and Mary, Reno and Smiley, Blue Sky Boys, and others

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/2

Tape 2: Shows 1, 2, and 3, 9 January 1961

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Arthur Smith Show (9 January 1961) with David Deese, Jim Buchanan, Arthur Smith, Ralph Smith, Tommy Faile, Wayne Haas, Lois Atkins, Ray Atkins, and Clyde McLean and Red Smiley and the Bluegrass Cut-ups with Red Smiley, John Palmer, Gene Burrows, Bobby Lester, David Deese, Red Smiley and the Bluegrass Cut-ups with Red Smiley, John Palmer, Gene Burrows, Tater Tate, David Deese; Last four songs: Porter Wagoner, Don Warden, Mel Tillis, and Dolly Parton

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/3

Tape 3: Red Smiley WWVA Radio Shows 4, 5, and 6, plus commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Mac Wiseman, the Virginians (Bill Harrell, Buck Ryan, Smitty Ervin, Smiley Hobbs), Bill Emerson, Hank Cochran, Jim and Jesse, Glen Campbell, Glen Campbell and Larry McNeely, Lewis Family, Wade Ray

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/4

Tape 4: Red Smiley WWVA Radio Shows 7, 8, and 9, plus commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Wade Ray, Carl Story, Jim Eanes, Bill Monroe, Lewis Family

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/5

Tape 6: Red Smiley WWVA Radio Shows 13, 14, and 15, plus commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Mac Wiseman, Dan Crary, Loretta Lynn, Johnny and Jack, Ray Price

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/6

Tape 7: Red Smiley WWVA Radio Shows 16, 17, and 18, plus commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Ray Price, Jim Reeves, the Greenbriar Boys, Reno and Smiley, Freddie Willard, Kenny Baker and Joe Greene

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/7

Tape 9: Red Smiley WWVA Radio Shows 22, 23, and 24 plus commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Flatt and Scruggs, Charlie Pride, Bill Monroe, The Browns

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/8

Tape 10: Red Smiley WWVA Radio Shows 25, 26, and 27, plus commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: The Browns, Osborne Brothers (with Red Allen), Roger Miller, Doyle Holly, Bobby Goldsboro, John Greene, The Undergrads, Mel Tillis

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/9

Tape 11: Red Smiley on WDJB-TV, plus commercial recordings, 1967

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Mel Tillis, Willie Nelson, Willie Nelson, Osborne Brothers, Lonesome Travelers, Tommy Faile, Don Reno and Benny Martin, Peter Paul and Mary, Patsy Cline, Don Gibson, Country Gentlemen, Stanley Brothers. Includes one page of notes with Side 2 tracklisting that differs from log (Jimmy Martin, Carl Story, Flatt and Scruggs, Red Allen and Don Reno, Reno and Smiley, Jim and Jesse, Bill Monroe, Scott Stoneman). Mono.

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/10

Tape 12: Various commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Jim and Jesse, Bill Clifton, Mel Tillis, Jimmy Martin, Smothers Brothers, Marty Robbins, Bill Cosby, Del Reeves, Bill Cosby, Gene Sullivan, Johnny Horton, Marty Robbins, Eddy Arnold, Stanley Brothers, Lewis Family, Bill Monroe, Carl Story, Bill Clifton, Johnny Cash, Larry Fuller

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/11

Tape 13: Various commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Red Smiley, Don Gibson, Osborne Brothers, George Jones, Don Gibson, Porter Wagoner, Kenny Price, Grandpa Jones, Morris Herbert and Luther Blackwelder, Bill Monroe, Johnny Cash, Jimmy Dickens, Hank Williams, Fiddlin' Red Herron, Eddy Arnold, Red Ingle and the Natural Seven, Ernest Tubb, Tex Williams, Bailes Brothers, Andy Griffith, Henry Mancini, Jim Eanes, Country Gentlemen

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/12

Tape 14: Bob Hope Christmas Show in Vietnam, plus Various commercial recordings, 1967 December 25

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Greenbriar Boys, Country Gentlemen, Bill Johnson

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/13

Tape 15: Vietnam tape from dad

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Flatt and Scruggs and Doc Watson, Bill Monroe, Reno and Smiley, Bill Monroe, Jim Eanes, Roger Sprung, Crossroads Quartet

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/14

Tape 16: Various commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Butch Robbins, Jimmy Martin, McLain Family, Jim and Jesse, Randall Collins, Mac Wiseman, Pinnacle Boys, Red White and Bluegrass, Walter Brennan, Dan Reno and Benny Martin, Reno and Smiley, and Johnny Sea, Tommy Faile, Arthur Smith, Gordon Terry, Jim and Jesse, Green Valley Trio, Renfro Valley Gathering, Bluegrass 76, Brothers in Bluegrass, Country Gentlemen, Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman, Country Gazette, Ray McMillan, Lester Flatt

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/15

Tape 19: Miscellaneous Commercial and non-commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: The Country Gentlemen, Wilburn Brothers and Loretta Lynn, Reno and Smiley, David Deese Glenn Brown Tom Deese Paul Hills Bub Withers (non-commercial), Glen Campbell and John Hartford, Don Bowman, Ray Lumpkin and Bluegrass Ramblers

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/16

Tape 20: Miscellaneous Commercial and non-commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Tommy Collins, Reno and Smiley, Johnny Paycheck, The Browns, Buck Owens, Charlie Louvin, Red Smiley and the Bluegrass Cut-ups, The Bill Heffner Show (with Lois Atkins, Lincoln County Partners, David Deese Interview - non-commercial), Porter Wagoner, Buck Trent, Mel Tillis, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Speck Rhodes, Dolly Parton, Mack Magaha, David Deese Glenn Brown Carl Coble Tom Deese Bub Withers, Don Bowman, Jimmy Gately and Red Hayes, Roger Sprung and Doc Watson, Red Allen and the Kentuckians, David Deese, Glenn Brown, Tom Deese, Paul Hill, Dick Jones, Bub Withers (non-commercial), Jim and Jesse, Lewis Family, George McCornick

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/17

Tape 21: Various commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Bill Monroe, Bill Clifton, Red Allen, Dolly Parton, Porter Wagoner, Reno and Smiley, Mac Wiseman and Osborne Brothers, Flatt and Scruggs, Jim Eanes, Benny Martin, Wally Traugott, Ken Clark and Don "Chubby" Anthony, Mel Tillis, Charlie Louvin, Buck Trent, Tom T. Hall, Marty Robbins, Glen Campbell and John Hartford, George Winn

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/18

Tape 22: Various commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Don Reno, Reno and Smiley, Harry Snyder, Nancy Sinatra, Ray Lumpkin and the Bluegrass Ramblers

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/19

Tape 24: Commercial, TV, and home recordings, 1968

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Bluegrass Blend, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Benny Martin, Knoxville Grass, Lester Flatt, Jim and Jesse, Reno and Harrell, Country Gazette, Gordon Lightfoot, Osborne Brothers, Glenn Campbell, Larry McNeely, and Roger Miller, Doc and Merle Watson, Crossroads Quartet, Red Allen, Jones Brothers, the Kendalls, Lester Flatt, Blue Denim, Lester Flatt and Mac Wiseman, Cliff Waldron, Carolina Travelers; Home recordings include: David Deese, Tom Deese, and Shorty Robinson, David Deese, Glenn Brown, Tom Deese, Paul Hill, Bub Withers, David Deese, Glenn Brown, Tom Deese, Paul Hill, Bub Withers, David Deese, Glenn Brown, Tom Deese, Paul Hill, Bub Withers; TV recordings include: Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dolly Parton, Roy Clark, Junior Samples, Ferlin Husky, Hee Haw, Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Bonnie Owens, Archie Campbell, Morris Herbert, Merle Haggard, Jimmy Martin

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/20

Tape 25: Commercial, TV, and home recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

TV recordings include: Stringbean, Wagonmasters, Johnny Cash and Jeanie C. Riley, Junior Samples; Commercial recordings include: Bill Monroe, Carl Story, Stanley Brothers, Hylo Brown, Flatt and Scruggs; Home recordings include: David Deese, Paul Hill, and Bub Withers, Glenn Brown

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/21

Tape 26: Commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: John Hartford, Mac Wiseman, Boone Creek, Flatt and Scruggs, Carter Family, Vassar Clements, David Grisman, Southbound, Flatt Scruggs and Doc Watson, Don Gibson, Ray Lumpkin and the Bluegrass Ramblers (John Eagle, Ray Lumpkin, George Winn, Gene Roberts, Sonny Meade), Red Smiley, Luke the Drifter (Hank Williams), Lincoln County Partners, Don Bowman, Johnny Standley, Crossroads Quartet, Charlie Monroe, Claude Boone, Carl Story, Marty Robbins, Mary McGreggor, Freddie Hart, Jack Greene and Jeanie Seeley, Buck Owens, "Unknown Country", Red White and Bluegrass, Knoxville Grass, Vic Jordan

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/22

Tape 27: Commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Red Foxx, Red Allen, Stoneman Family, Bill Clifton, Jim Eanes, Jim and Jesse

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/23

Tape 31: Commercial, home, and TV recordings, 1969-1980

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Commercial recordings include: Kenny Baker, Ted Lundy, Bob Paisley, and the Southern Mountain Boys, Bob Hickman, Lost and Found, Doug Dillard, Cliff Waldren, Jim and Jesse, Randall Collins, Doc Watson, the Lewis Family, Flatt and Scruggs, Reno and Smiley, Bill Monroe, Crossroads Quartet, Walt Hensley, Red Smiley and the Bluegrass Cut-Ups (John Palmer, Gene Burrows, Tater Tate, Billy Edwards), Glen Campbell and the Smothers Brothers, Glen Campbell and John Hartford, Bluegrass Cardinals, Pete Wernick, Conway Twitty, Mike O'Rourke, Red White and Bluegrass; Home recordings include: Ray Lumpkin and the Bluegrass Ramblers (June 1969), David Deese, Von Brown, Dick Jones, and Bub Withers, David Deese, Von Brown, Carl Coble, Dick Jones, and Bub Withers, Renfro Valley Sunday Morning Gathering (6 July 1980)

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/24

Tape 37: Commercial recordings

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Includes: Doc Watson, George Jones, George Jones and Melba Montgomery, Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Freddie Hart, Charlie Pride, Dillards, Gordon Terry, Charlie Louvin, Tompall with the Glaser Brothers, Osborne Brothers, Buck Owens, Sammi Smith, Donna Fargo, Bill Monroe, Dolly Parton, The Rambos, Tommy Hill, Bill Wimberly, Ken Clark and Don "Chubby" Anthony, Country Gentlemen, Tommy Jackson, Reno and Smiley, Stanley Brothers, Doc Watson

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/25

unidentified sound recording

1/4" Open Reel Audio

SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20520/26

unidentified sound recording

1/4" Open Reel Audio

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Series 2. Documentation, circa 1960s-1980s.

7 items.

Arrangement: Original order has been maintained.

Processing information: Logs books have been removed from their original binders.

Log books and scattered tape logs created by David Deese. The first log book (folders 1-24) is arranged by original tape number, while the second log book (folders 25-67) is arranged alphabetically by artist. Tape log books include artist names, song titles, and timecode. The series also contains additional tape logs (folder 68) found with select audio recordings in the collection.

Folder 1-24

Folder 1

Folder 2

Folder 3

Folder 4

Folder 5

Folder 6

Folder 7

Folder 8

Folder 9

Folder 10

Folder 11

Folder 12

Folder 13

Folder 14

Folder 15

Folder 16

Folder 17

Folder 18

Folder 19

Folder 20

Folder 21

Folder 22

Folder 23

Folder 24

Log book: tape 1-241

Folder 25-67

Folder 25

Folder 26

Folder 27

Folder 28

Folder 29

Folder 30

Folder 31

Folder 32

Folder 33

Folder 34

Folder 35

Folder 36

Folder 37

Folder 38

Folder 39

Folder 40

Folder 41

Folder 42

Folder 43

Folder 44

Folder 45

Folder 46

Folder 47

Folder 48

Folder 49

Folder 50

Folder 51

Folder 52

Folder 53

Folder 54

Folder 55

Folder 56

Folder 57

Folder 58

Folder 59

Folder 60

Folder 61

Folder 62

Folder 63

Folder 64

Folder 65

Folder 66

Folder 67

Log book: A-Y

Folder 68

Tape logs: FT-20520/4-19

Back to Top

expand/collapse Expand/collapse Items Separated

Back to Top