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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 | 12 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 3,600 items) |
Abstract | The collection of North Carolina bluegrass musical artist Tommy Edwards (1945-2021) contains audio recordings, video recordings, photographs, posters, flyers, calendars, clippings from publications, project files, song folios, unpublished and incomplete song lyrics written by hand, set lists for performances, and other papers. Most collection materials are dated between 1960 and 2021, reflecting Edwards's career as a traditional bluegrass musician, songwriter, performer, and recording artist. Formats of recordings made by Edwards include VHS, compact disc, open-reel audio tape, ADAT multitrack tape, and LPs. Formats of unpublished recordings made by others and collected by Edwards include instantaneous acetate discs and a 16-inch radio transcription disc. Of note in the printed materials is a rare song folio from the 1930s that Edwards collected. The folio highlights bluegrass and early country music artists including Wade Mainer, Zeke Mainer, and the Delmore Brothers, who played live on the Raleigh, N.C., radio station with the call letters WPTF. Photographs and other printed materials, including posters and flyers, document performances of the Tommy Edwards Bluegrass Experience at music venues in Chapel Hill, N.C., especially the Cat's Cradle, in the 1970s. Acquired as part of the Southern Folklife Collection. |
Creator | Edwards, Tommy, 1945-2021 |
Curatorial Unit | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection. |
Language | English |
Processed by: Rebecca Stubbs, January 2024
Encoded by: Laura Smith, January 2024
Updated by: Luke Cimarusti and Laura Smith, January 2024
Since August 2017, we have added ethnic and racial identities for individuals and families represented in collections. To determine identity, we rely on self-identification; other information supplied to the repository by collection creators or sources; public records, press accounts, and secondary sources; and contextual information in the collection materials. Omissions of ethnic and racial identities in finding aids created or updated after August 2017 are an indication of insufficient information to make an educated guess or an individual's preference for identity information to be excluded from description. When we have misidentified, please let us know at wilsonlibrary@unc.edu.
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.
Tommy Edwards (1945-2021) was a white musical artist, songwriter, music collector, and a public school teacher in Chatham County, N.C. He fronted the Chapel Hill, N.C., musical group, Tommy Edwards Bluegrass Experience, from 1971 until 2021. He also owned and operated Tommy Edwards Antiques, Art & Music in Pittsboro, N.C.
Back to TopThe collection of North Carolina bluegrass musical artist Tommy Edwards (1945-2021) contains audio recordings, video recordings, photographs, posters, flyers, calendars, clippings from publications, project files, song folios, unpublished and incomplete song lyrics written by hand, set lists for performances, and other papers. Most collection materials are dated between 1960 and 2021, reflecting Edwards's career as a traditional bluegrass musician, songwriter, performer, and recording artist. Formats of recordings made by Edwards include VHS, compact disc, open-reel audio tape, ADAT multitrack tape, and LPs. Formats of unpublished recordings made by others and collected by Edwards include instantaneous acetate discs and a 16-inch radio transcription disc. Of note in the printed materials is a rare song folio from the 1930s that Edwards collected. The folio highlights bluegrass and early country music artists including Wade Mainer, Zeke Mainer, and the Delmore Brothers, who played live on the Raleigh, N.C., radio station with the call letters WPTF. Photographs and other printed materials, including posters and flyers, document performances of the Tommy Edwards Bluegrass Experience at music venues in Chapel Hill, N.C., especially the Cat's Cradle, in the 1970s. Acquired as part of the Southern Folklife Collection.
Back to TopBox 1 |
The Bluegrass Experience brochures
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NewspapersIncludes articles regarding the Bluegrass Experience. |
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NewspapersIncludes articles regarding the Bluegrass Experience. |
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Order of the Long Leaf Pine
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MagazinesIncludes articles regarding the Bluegrass Experience. |
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Promotional materials for Good Company
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Good Company notes
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Good Company notes
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Good Company notes
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Good Company recording sales
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Good Company news releases
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Good Company reviews
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Mechanical License request
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The Christmas TrainIncludes notes, financial receipts, correspondence, and lyrics regarding the Christmas album. |
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The Christmas TrainIncludes notes, financial receipts, correspondence, and lyrics regarding the Christmas album. |
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Good Company documentsIncludes financial receipts, correspondence, and draft CD album covers |
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Heartbroke and LonesomeIncludes financial receipts, correspondence, and notes. |
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Heartbroke and LonesomeIncludes financial receipts, correspondence, and notes. |
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Heartbroke and LonesomePapers accompanying CDs. |
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Respect for Tradition2005 - 2006. Includes financial receipts, correspondence, reviews, and notes. |
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Additional papersIncludes advertisements, financial documents, and track lists. |
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Box 2 |
Respect for Tradition2005. Includes lyrics, notes, and "artistic and mechanical information". |
Respect for Tradition2005. Includes lyrics, notes, and "artistic and mechanical information". |
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Old Songs, New SongsIncludes financial receipts, correspondence, and notes. |
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Miscellaneous papersIncludes correspondence, travel maps, and copyright mechanicals from the Harry Fox Agency. |
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Ten Songs2016. Includes notes, lyrics, and correspondence regarding Edwards' Ten Songs CD. |
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35th Anniversary project
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Song lists
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Band Jobs1978 and 2003 calendars. |
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Tommy Edwards solo project2003-2004. Includes correspondence, notes, track lists and lyrics. |
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Christmas songs and albumIncludes notes and track lists. |
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North Carolina songsIncludes notes, financial receipts, correspondence, and lyrics regarding NC songs. |
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North Carolina songsIncludes notes, financial receipts, correspondence, and lyrics regarding NC songs. |
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Miscellaneous song lyrics
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Completed original songs
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Incomplete songs"Projected mixed use" |
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Next albumLists of songs for Edwards' next album. |
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Contracts
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Receipt books
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Box 3 |
ContractsAlso includes correspondence and financial records. |
Lyrics & notes
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Lyrics & notes
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Lyrics & notes
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Christmas songs & lyrics
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Bluegrass and Old Time Music songbooksProperty of: Leroy Savage |
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Life 103.1 WLHC-FM 'Bluegrass Saturday Night'Radio show playlists |
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Life 103.1 WLHC-FM 'Bluegrass Saturday Night'Radio show playlists |
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Life 103.1 WLHC-FM 'Bluegrass Saturday Night'Radio show playlists |
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Life 103.1 WLHC-FM 'Bluegrass Saturday Night'Radio show playlists |
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Life 103.1 WLHC-FM 'Bluegrass Saturday Night'Radio show playlists |
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Life 103.1 WLHC-FM 'Bluegrass Saturday Night'Radio show playlists |
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Life 103.1 WLHC-FM 'Bluegrass Saturday Night'Radio show playlists |
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Photograph ephemeraIncludes Tommy Edwards' and Carolina Lightnin' flyer and notes. |
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Image Folder PF-70165/1-2 |
Photographs1964 - 2008, 2018. Depicts images of the Bluegrass Experience publicity shots; 25th reunion; Carolina Lightnin'; an interview with 103.1; Sanctuary Farm; Bluegrass Experience wedding; the Millworker show; David Sparrow's party and a Christmas party. |
Digital Folder DF-70165/1 |
Tommy Studio |
Digital Folder DF-70165/2 |
Just Edwards (2) |
Digital Folder DF-70165/3 |
Pic's |
Digital Folder DF-70165/4 |
Photos for Ceedee! Heartbroke + Lonesome |
Digital Folder DF-70165/5 |
Artwork Files |
Digital Folder DF-70165/6 |
Bluegrass Experience Slideshow |
Digital Folder DF-70165/7 |
The Bluegrass Experience 35th Anniversary |
Digital Folder DF-70165/8 |
Tommy Edwards 300 dpi Heartbroke & Lonesome |
Digital Folder DF-70165/9 |
I'm Just Livin' with a Memory - for Prime Cuts #98 |