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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.
Size | 5 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 1095 items) |
Abstract | The collection of Calin Coburn documents the performance career of his grandfather, the western singer-songwriter and film actor Bob Nolan, who was leader of the musical group Sons of the Pioneers and author of western song classics including "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" and "Cool Water." Collection materials include promotional photographs, family photographs, posters for western movies, Sons of the Pioneer song catalog with lyrics sheets, sheet music, volumes of Bob Nolan materials compiled by Coburn and Elizabeth Drake McDonald, periodicals and newsletters, copyright documents, and slight, scattered correspondence. The collection also contains audiovisual materials consisting of live performances, demos, studio recordings, test pressings, movie clips and soundtracks, and award ceremony tributes and appearances. |
Creator | Coburn, Calin. |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection. |
Language | English |
Processed by: Laura Hart and Anne Wells, March 2017
Encoded by: Laura Hart and Anne Wells, March 2017
Back to TopThe 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.
The collector Calin Coburn of Las Vegas, Nev., is the grandson of western songwriter Bob Nolan. Nolan was born 1 April 1908 in Point Hatfield, New Brunswick, Canada. He was a founding member of the musical group Sons of the Pioneers, a country western singer-songwriter, the award winning composer of an extensive catalog of western songs such as the classic standards "Tumblin' Tumbleweeds" and "Cool Water," and a film actor who appeared in more than 80 Hollywood western films during the 1930s and 1940s. Nolan died in 1980.
Back to TopCollection materials include promotional photographs, family photographs, posters for western movies, Sons of the Pioneer song catalog with lyrics sheets, sheet music, volumes of Bob Nolan materials compiled by Coburn and Elizabeth Drake McDonald, periodicals and newsletters, copyright documents, and slight, scattered correspondence. The collection also contains audiovisual materials consisting of live performances, demos, studio recordings, test pressings, movie clips and soundtracks, and award ceremony tributes and appearances. Audio recordings are on audiocassette, 1/4" open reel audio, instantaneous disc, and Waveform Audio File (.wav) format, while video recordings are on VHS.
Back to TopProcessing Information: Papers, printed materials, photographs, and digital objects have been placed in folders for use in the reading room and the Carolina Digital Repository. The materials have not been analyzed, arranged, or fully described.
Box 1 |
Sons of the Pioneers song catalog with lyricsSong titles A-O. Includes an index. |
Box 2 |
Sons of the Pioneers song catalog with lyricsSong titles P-Z. Box also contains other loose sets of lyrics and sheet music. |
Digital Folder DF-20529/18 |
Digitized covers of song folios, 1934-1940 and undated24 image files (.jpg) |
Box 3-4
Box 3Box 4 |
Bob Nolan, compilations of lyrics, sheet music, and poemsVolumes compiled by Elizabeth Drake McDonald and Calin Coburn. |
Digital Folder DF-20529/20 |
Guide to the material on Bob Nolan3 Microsoft Word (.doc) files Guide to the scans, music CDs and videos from Calin Coburn and Elizabeth Drake McDonald. |
Box 5-6
Box 5Box 6 |
Periodicals and newslettersIssues and short runs. Titles include Sons of the Pioneers Historical Society Journal, Pioneer News, Song of the West, JEMF Quarterly, The Round-up, Pioneer News, Western Music Advocate, Country Music News, Country Sounds, Tumbleweed Times, and The Society (Sons of the Pioneers Historical Society). Also included are material pertaining to Nolan's posthumous induction into the New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame and the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. |
Box 7 |
Correspondence and other papersCorrespondence is slight, but does include letters received and written by Pearl, Ione, and Bobbie between 1929 and 1936. The correspondent Pearl is likely Nolan's first wife. Other papers include copies of liner notes, newspaper clippings, Sons of the Pioneers ephemera, a small personal account book (1939), a signed guest book from "A Western Musical Evening Under the Starts Sunday July 27, 1980 at the Diamond X Ranch...to honor Bob Nolan," a typescript titled "Bobbie's Dictionary" with words and definitions, as well as papers found with select analog audio recordings, including tape logs, handwritten track listings, and ephemera. |
Box 8 |
Copyright and royalties documents |
Oversize Paper Folder OPF-20529/1 |
Small movie posters and other papersOther papers include New Brunswick Country Music Hall of Fame items, a 1941 issue of Tumbleweed Topics, a sheet of lyrics with guitar chord changes for an unidentified song, and original record sleeves for select instantaneous discs found in the collection (FD-20529/9, FD-20529/11 and FD-20529/18). |
Image Box IB-20529/1 |
PhotographsBlack-and-white prints Chiefly promotional images and stills from Hollywood movies. Some personal and family photographs included. |
Image Box IB-20529/2 |
PhotographsBlack-and-white prints Color prints Chiefly promotional images and stills from Hollywood movies. Some personal and family photographs included. Also included and filed together are images from two photograph albums, which were disassembled for preservation of the photographs. |
Digital Folder DF-20529/5 |
Digitized images, 1930-19346 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/6 |
Digitized images, 1935-19368 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/7 |
Digitized images, 1937-193811 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/8 |
Digitized images, 193917 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/9 |
Digitized images, 19404 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/10 |
Digitized images, 194228 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/11 |
Digitized images, 1943-194411 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/12 |
Digitized images, 1945-19478 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/13 |
Digitized images, 1948-195512 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/14 |
Digitized images, 1971-197914 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/15 |
Digitized images, 1980-19863 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/16 |
Digitized images, 2004 and undated2 image files (.jpg) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/17 |
"Bob Nolan and That Old Outlaw -Time"75 image files (.jpg) 1 audio file (.mp3) Images and audio for slide show. |
Digital Folder DF-20529/1 |
Songs A-E34 audio files (.wav) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/2 |
Songs F-L32 audio files (.wav) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/3 |
Songs, unidentified titles29 audio files (.wav) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/4 |
Songs, unidentified titles32 audio files (.wav) |
Digital Folder DF-20529/19 |
Quotations7 audio files (.wav) Bob Nolan speaking. |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/31 |
Rex Allen Jr., "Riders in the Sky"Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/1 |
John Barrett presents Sundance, Las Vegas, Nev.Audiocassette Published by John Barrett |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/2 |
Classics of Bob Nolan Performed by Leon ButtsAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/3 |
Gene DavenportAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/4 |
Ben Frampton, Cool Sensi, Kingston, JamaicaAudiocassette Published by Ben Frampton |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/5 |
Bob NolanAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/6 |
Bob Nolan, Sons of the Pioneers, Republic Pictures movie soundtracksAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/7 |
Bob Nolan, "My Mistress, The Desert," 8 June 1980; KLAC Tribute; Bob Nolan and the Reinsmen at Bob Wagoner's, Bishop, Calif., 1978-1989. masterAudiocassette Published by KLAC |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/8 |
Bob Nolan, "My Mistress, The Desert," 8 June 1980; KLAC Tribute; Bob Nolan and the Reinsmen at Bob Wagoner's, Bishop, Calif., 1978-1989Audiocassette Published by KLAC |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/9 |
Bob Nolan, "My Mistress, The Desert," 8 June 1980; KLAC Tribute; Bob Nolan and the Reinsmen at Bob Wagoner's, Bishop, Calif., 1978-1989Audiocassette Published by KLAC |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/10 |
Bob Nolan, "My Mistress, The Desert," 8 June 1980; KLAC Tribute; Bob Nolan and the Reinsmen at Bob Wagoner's, Bishop, Calif., 1978-1989Audiocassette Published by KLAC |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/11 |
Bob Nolan, "My Mistress, The Desert," 8 June 1980; Hall of Fame AwardsAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/12 |
Bob Nolan, "My Mistress, The Desert," 8 June 1980; "The Sound of a Pioneer"; demo tracks and songs by Rex Allen Jr., Jim Nabors, and Sons of the PioneersAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/13 |
Bob Nolan, "My Mistress, The Desert," 8 June 1980; "The Sound of a Pioneer"; demo tracks and songs by Rex Allen Jr., Jim Nabors, and Sons of the PioneersAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/14 |
Bob Nolan ServiceAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/15 |
Bob Nolan, "The Sound of a Pioneer," 1979Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/16 |
Bob Nolan solo 1A, 1979Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/17 |
Bob Nolan solo 1B, 1979Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/18 |
Bob Nolan solo 3, 16 February 1978Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/19 |
Bob Nolan, "Vagabond Whirlwinds," "Love Evergreen," "Till You Return"Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/20 |
Bob Nolan, "Warm Again"Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/21 |
Bob Nolan's West, volume 1, masterAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/22 |
Bob Nolan's West, volume 2, masterAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/23 |
Bob Nolan's West, volume 3, masterAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/24 |
Bob Nolan's West, volume 4, masterAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/25 |
Bob Nolan's West, volume 5, masterAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/26 |
Bob Nolan and the Sons of the Pioneers, "Odds and Ends"Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/27 |
Bob Nolan, "The Wonder of It All"Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/28 |
Bob Nolan workshop, copyAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/29 |
Paradox, November 1989Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/30 |
The Reinsmen, "Best In the West," Los Angeles, Calif., 18 January 1978Audiocassette Published by KLAC |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/32 |
Roy Rogers and Sons of the Pioneers, The Republic Pictures YearsAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/33 |
Roy Rogers and Sons of the Pioneers, The Republic Pictures Years; Bob Nolan, "Till You Return"; The Sons of the Pioneers sing the songs of Bob NolanAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/34 |
Singing Cowboys Ride AgainAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/35 |
Sons of the Pioneers, early Decca recording sessions, Los Angeles, Calif., 8 August 1934Audiocassette Published by Decca |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/36 |
Sons of the Pioneers, "Vagabond Whirlwinds," "'Till You Return," 1935-1946Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/37 |
Sons of the Pioneers, "Vagabond Whirlwinds," "'Till You Return," 1935-1946Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/38 |
Sons of the Pioneers, collectiblesAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/39 |
Sons of the Pioneers, various soloistsAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/40 |
Bob Wagoner's, 23 May 1978Audiocassette |
SFC Audio Cassette FS-20529/41 |
Bob Wagoner, multiple recordingsAudiocassette |
SFC Audio Open Reel FT-20529/1 |
The Sons of the Pioneers, KLAC Project 57 Special, 16 January 19721/4" Open Reel Audio 7" reel Published by KLAC and 570 Metromedia Radio |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/1 |
Bob Nolan, "Angel in the Choir," "I Miss You"12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/2 |
Bob Nolan, "Cool Water," "Manhunt"12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/3 |
Bob Nolan, "Shadow on the Wall"; Bob Nolan and Ivan Lehrer, "Shootin' My Way Thru Town"12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/4 |
Bob Nolan, "Till You Return"12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/5 |
Bob Nolan, "Till You Return"12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/6 |
Bob Nolan, "Till You Return"12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/7 |
Bob Nolan, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds," 195312" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/8 |
"Cowboy Country"12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/9 |
"Here is My Helpin' Hand"12" Instantaneous Disc Processing information: original record sleeve for FD-20529/9 is located in OPF-20529/1. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/10 |
Pecos Bill, two takes12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/11 |
Jack Elliott, "Springtime in the Sierras"; [unidentified performer], "What Are We Gonna Do Then?"12" Instantaneous Disc Processing information: original record sleeve for FD-20529/11 is located in OPF-20529/1. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/12 |
[unidentified sound recording]12" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/13 |
Stuart Hamblen, "Texas Plains"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Bob Ross Music Service |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/14 |
Bob Nolan, "A Broken Heart," "Waltz"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/15 |
Bob Nolan, "Covered Wagon," "High Sierras"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/16 |
Bob Nolan, "Daddy's on the Rainbow"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/17 |
Bob Nolan, "Frontiers"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/18 |
Bob Nolan, "Have You?"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. Processing information: original record sleeve for FD-20529/18 is located in OPF-20529/1. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/19 |
Bob Nolan, "If You Are Willing"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/20 |
Bob Nolan, "Let Me Share Your Name," 7 December 194910" Instantaneous Disc Published by Hill and Range Songs, Inc. Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/21 |
Bob Nolan, "Little Spaceman"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/22 |
Bob Nolan, My Heart in Deep Despair10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/23 |
Bob Nolan, "My Love's a Voice in the Green Willow Tree"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/24 |
Bob Nolan, "Other Side of Somewhere," "Pali Wind"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/25 |
Bob Nolan, "A Prayer for Christmas Time"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/26 |
Bob Nolan, "A Prayer for Christmas Time"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/27 |
Bob Nolan, "Three Guesses"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/28 |
Bob Nolan, "Vagabond Whirlwinds"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/29 |
Bob Nolan, "Volvere a Pasar Por Aqui"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/30 |
Bob Nolan, "What Can We Lose? "10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/31 |
Bob Nolan, "The Wonder of It All"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/32 |
Bob Nolan, "The Wonder of It All"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/33 |
Bob Nolan and Ivan Lehrer, "Love Evergreen"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Eccles Recordings Inc. and Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/34 |
Sons of the Pioneers, "Outlaw!"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/35 |
Tim Spencer, "Lonesome Lover" take 4; "Lonesome Lover" take 510" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/36 |
"Autumn Reverie"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/37 |
"Echos of the Pali"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/38 |
"Padre of Old San Anotone"; "How Great Thou Art"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/39 |
"Parting"10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/40 |
"Ride Me Down Easy"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Bob Ross Music Service |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/41 |
"Stray Wind"10" Instantaneous Disc Published by Hill and Range Songs, Inc. |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/42 |
"That Old Outlaw, Time," 197510" Instantaneous Disc Published by Peso Music |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/43 |
organ music10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/44 |
[unidentified sound recording]10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/45 |
[unidentified sound recording]10" Instantaneous Disc |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/46 |
Calin Coburn plays "When I Grow Too Old to Dream" and "Greensleeves"7" Instantaneous Disc Published by Century Custom Recording Service |
Instantaneous Disc FD-20529/47 |
"Tumbling Tumbleweeds"7" Instantaneous Disc Published by Intersong Music |
Videotape VT-20529/1 |
Bob Nolan's Songs in the Movies: video clips from the original films, 1937-1948VHS |
Videotape VT-20529/2 |
Western Music Festival: Bob Nolan Tribute, Tuscon, Ariz., November 1996VHS |
Videotape VT-20529/3 |
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame 2nd Gala, 8 February 2005: tape 1 of 2VHS |
Videotape VT-20529/4 |
Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame 2nd Gala, 8 February 2005: tape 2 of 2VHS |
Videotape VT-20529/5 |
Introduction to the Country Music Hall of Fame and MuseumVHS |