DRAFT
CHARLIE WALKER
COLLECTION
08-020
1926-2008
40 linear feet
THE CENTER FOR POPULAR MUSIC
MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
MURFREESBORO, TN
Processed
by Lucinda Cockrell and Connie Walker 2009-2010
John Fabke 2011-2012
Finding
aid written by John Fabke May 2012
THE
CENTER FOR POPULAR MUSIC, MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY,
MURFREESBORO, TN
CHARLIE
WALKER COLLECTION 08-020
Creator
Walker,
Charlie, 1926-2008
Type of Material
Manuscripts, audio, video, artifacts,
books, serials, photographs
Approximately 40 linear feet in
total
1800+
still images (B&W, color, negatives)
348
(approx.) audio disc recordings in multiple formats (vinyl/shellac 33, 45,
78rpm discs, lacquer transcription discs, CDs, open reel, cassette and 8 track
tapes).
519 (approx.) audio tapes (acetate/mylar open reel and cassettes)
82 (approx.) video recordings (VHS tape, DVDs)
4 lf books/serials
12 lf manuscripts
1 lf
artifacts
Dates:
1926-2008
[bulk??]
Abstract (Descriptive Summary):
The Charlie
Walker Collection (08-020) is a unique and extensive assembly of audio/visual
materials, photographs, books serials and manuscripts preserved by Mr. Walker
to document many of the facets of his long career as a country music disc
jockey, songwriter and musician. The collection includes numerous items that
feature many of the most important creative figures of the post WWII country
music scene as well as items that relate to Walker’s many interests and hobbies
outside of music.
RESTRICTIONS:
All
materials in this collection are subject to standard national and international
copyright laws. Materials for which we
have undeniable rights are those that Charlie Walker created himself. Center staff is able to assist with copyright
questions for this material. In addition, manuscript boxes MS-044 and MS-045
contain family records, military records as well as personal, financial, power
of attorney, health, legal and tax information and shall remain restricted and
unavailable for use by researchers.
Provenance and Acquisition
Information:
The materials in
this collection represent the life’s work of Charlie Walker. Walker retained
large quantities of materials that represent his endeavors as a disc jockey,
songwriter and successful country music performer circa 1940s-2000s. The
materials in this collection were donated by Walker’s widow, Constance (Connie)
Walker, to the Center for Popular Music in May 2009. Mrs. Walker compiled some
of the scrap books in the collection and also helped with the initial
processing of the collection and identification of subjects in
photographs.
Subjects/Index Terms:
Subjects
Country
musicians—United States
Disc Jockeys—United States
Names
Walker, Charlie, 1926-2008
Rodgers, Jimmie, 1897-1933
Dickens, Little Jimmy, 1920-
Presley, Elvis, 1935-1977
The Charlie Walker collection contains many items that represent some of the
most important figures in the country music business. Contact the Center for
Popular Music staff for a complete listing of individuals that appear in the
collection.
Occupations
Country
musicians
Disc jockeys
Agency History/biographical sketch:
Born in Copeville, Texas on November 2, 1926, Charles Levi Walker, Jr. grew
up working on the family cotton farm in Nevada, Texas where his family had
relocated to shortly after his birth. Walker was interested in country music
from a young age and he enjoyed artists such as Jimmie Rodgers, Ernest Tubb and
Bob Wills. When Walker was ten years old, he taught himself to play a guitar
that had been a gift from a neighbor and later learned how to play the fiddle
and mandolin. His first experience with the music business began in 1943 as a
member of a Texas dance hall band. Shortly thereafter, he formed his own band,
the Texas Ramblers, with his brother Ervin. In 1944, Walker joined Bill Boyd’s
Cowboy Ramblers where he performed at their personal appearances and radio
shows. In January of 1945, Walker was drafted into U.S. Army. His service
eventually took him overseas to be stationed in occupied Japan as a member of
the Signal Corps. While in Japan, he formed a band and entertained the troops
with country music at camp shows. Walker’s Texas Ramblers soon got a job
performing on the Armed Forces Radio Station where he became one of the first
American disc jockeys to introduce ‘hillbilly music’ to Japanese listeners in
Tokyo.
Walker returned to the states in 1947 where he worked as a broadcaster and singer at KWBU in Corpus Christi and KMAC in San Antonio. He was extremely popular and ranked as one of Billboard’s Top ten Country DJs for a decade. During this period, Charlie also managed a popular nightclub called The Old Barn in San Antonio that highlighted many early country and swing artists.
In addition to broadcasting, Walker enjoyed success as a performer, songwriter and recording artist throughout his long career. He recorded his first songs, “I’m Looking for Another You” and “Stolen Kisses” in 1952 with Imperial Records. In 1954 he signed with Decca, recording the regional hit, “Tell Her Lies and Feed Her Candy”. His first record to hit the Top 10 charts was “Only You, Only You,” co-written with Jack Newman in 1956. On the Mercury label, Walker released “Dancing Mexican Girl” and “I’ll Never Let It Show” before signing with Columbia in 1958. His biggest hit, “Pick Me up on Your Way Down,” was also the first hit for successful song-writer Harlan Howard. Staying on the charts for 22 weeks, the song was actually the “B” side to “Two Empty Arms.” Subsequent recordings included “I’ll Catch You When You Fall,” “When My Conscience Hurts the Most,” “Who Will Buy the Wine,” and “There’s Where Katie Waits.” Recording for the Epic label, his “Wild as a Wildcat” was a minor hit, followed by the parody, “Don’t Squeeze My Sharmon,” which made the Top 10 in 1967.
On August 17, 1967, Charlie Walker became a cast member of the Grand Old Opry, where he soon became an audience favorite with his witty, rowdy songs. He continued his recording career throughout the 1970s, making the charts once again with the Capitol release of “Odds and Ends” in 1974. Walker also enjoyed some success in motion pictures. In 1970, Walker appeared in the Marty Robbins film Country Music, and in 1985 he portrayed Cowboy Copas in Sweet Dreams, a biographical movie about Patsy Cline.
Aside from his musical career, Charlie actively participated in a variety of sports and hobbies including golf, hunting and sport shooting. Walker was especially interested in golf and he played in about ten pro-celebrity tournaments each year as well as hosting a tournament under his own name. Walker was also a long time member of both the Shriners and Masons, eventually receiving the honor of becoming a Thirty-Third Degree Scottish Rite Mason.
Walker received many honors and awards over the course of his long career. In 1981 he was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame and in 2000 he was inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. Walker also received numerous awards for his accomplishments in music, sports (golf, shooting) military and community activities and his long time membership in the Shriners and Masons.
Charlie Walker died at the age of 81 on September 12, 2008.
Scope and Content:
This
collection is comprised of approximately 48 feet of books, serials,
manuscripts, artifacts, photographs and audio and visual recordings that
represent the long life and prolific career of country music singer, songwriter
and disc jockey, Charlie Walker circa 1940s-2000s. The audio and visual
materials, circa 1950s-2000s, are in multiple formats and represent
performances, interviews, commercially released recordings, studio demos and
song writer demos by Walker himself, other well-known country musicians and
songwriters as well as many recordings submitted to Walker by fans and amateur
songwriters. The 1800+ still images in this collection, circa 1930s-2000s,
represent all aspects of Walker’s career as well as his military service in
occupied Japan, hobbies, social connections and family life. Many of the photographs
feature historically significant events and persons. The manuscript collection
provides an expansive, finely detailed record of Walker’s life, career and
interests. This part of the collection is comprised of correspondence, personal
and financial records, newspaper/magazine articles and reviews, scrap books,
posters, handbills, sheet music, catalogs etc. The Walker collection also
includes many books and serials on mostly music related topics as well as sheet
music. Much of this material has been integrated into the larger CPM
collection. The audio/visual and photographic collections have been inventoried
in detail and these records are available to the researcher.
Series Description:
Series I: Manuscripts
Date
Linear
feet (boxes # - #)
Subseries
I:
Audio Video boxes
1-14 Contains
audio and video in multiple formats circa 1950s-2000s. Collection features
Walker as well as other prominent country musicians and songwriters in performance,
studio demos and commercially released recordings. Collection also includes
many song demos sent by fans or amateur songwriters. Lyric sheets often
included with recordings.
Manuscript boxes
MS001-MS023 and MS040-MS049 Manuscript
collection representing all aspects of Walker’s professional and personal life
circa 1920s-2000s.
Scrapbooks MS-024 to MS-026 Scrapbooks
containing photographs and manuscripts highlighting significant events in
Walker’s life and career.
Photograph boxes
MS-028 to MS-039 Boxes contain 1800+ photographs representing
all aspects of Walker’s life and music career circa 1940s-2000s as well as
family and hobby related images.
Books and Serials
boxes 1-5 Partially
processed collection of Walker’s books. Many are on country music related
themes.
Oversize materials-Posters, flags, banner and
oversize awards and certificates
Collection Contents: (Folder/box
list):
Audio/video boxes numbered 1-14
Audio/video box 1-Mostly 7” open reel demo tapes
from Columbia Records. All recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy
of inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 2-Open reel audio tapes with demo versions of songs from various
songwriters. All recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of
inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 3-Video tapes of Walker performances. Also includes songwriting
demos. All recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory
document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 4-Open reel songwriting demo tapes. Includes lyric sheets. All
recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document
included in the box.
Audio/video
box 5-Video tapes of Walker performances. Also includes songwriting
demos and some lyric sheets. All recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard
copy of inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video box 6-Open reel and cassette songwriting
demo tapes. Some lyric sheets included. All recordings inventoried on separate
sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 7- Open reel and cassette songwriting demo tapes. Also includes
some commercial CDs and 45rpm records. All recordings inventoried on separate
sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 8-Commercial CDs, cassettes and some songwriter demo tapes. All
recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document
included in the box.
Audio/video
box 9-Songwriting demo tapes and lyric sheets. All recordings inventoried
on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 10-Open reel tapes. Demos, Walker interviews and performances. All
recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document
included in the box.
Audio/video
box 11-Commercial Walker releases on 33/45rpm. Also includes demo tapes
and approx. 180 45rpm records of country performers. All recordings inventoried
on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 12-Contains many acetate/lacquer discs. Some are demos many are
dupes of Jimmie Rodgers recordings. Also contains numerous 78 recordings of Roy
Acuff and Ernest Tubb. All recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy
of inventory document included in the box.
Audio/video
box 13-Contains lacquer demo discs of Walker. All recordings
inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the
box.
Audio/video
box 14-Commercial country music DVDs and VHS video tapes and commercial
45rpm country records. All recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy
of inventory document included in the box.
Antique
78 box-Contains commercial 78s of Walker, Cofer Brothers etc. in
original box. All recordings inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of
inventory document included in the box.
Manuscript,
artifact boxes numbered MS001-MS023
Subgroup 01:
Manuscripts
Series
01-Correspondence
Series 1,
correspondence, is broken down into four subsections: business, fan mail, personal
and celebrity correspondence. Each subseries is then organized into topical
folders that are chronologically ordered.
Subseries A: Business correspondence MS-001 to MS-006
Box MS-001 Business correspondence ca.
1953-1989
Folder 1: 1953-1958. Radio related
correspondence, KMAC, Jimmie Rodgers Memorial event.
Folder 2: 1960-1969. Radio related
correspondence, thank you notes, record label correspondence, telegrams.
Folder 3: 1970-1976. Thank-you letters, interview requests, fan
club information.
Folder 4: 1977-1979. AFTRA
correspondence, Country Music Hall of Fame ballots, fan club, thank-you notes.
Folder 5: 1980-1987. Radio and
record label correspondence, thank-you notes.
Folder 6: 1988-1989. Booking, Opry,
thank-you notes, Tennessee Defense Force correspondence.
Box MS-002 Business correspondence ca.
1990-2008
Folder 1: 1990-1992. Booking,
publicity, interview requests, broadcaster’s hall of fame induction letter,
political campaign related correspondence.
Folder 2: 1993-1994. Booking, thank-you
notes, Opry, AFTRA, Country Music DJ Hall of Fame.
Folder 3: 2000-2008. Opry, Texas
Country Music Hall of Fame, interview transcript, induction into the George D.
Hay Country Music Hall of Fame.
Folder 4: Undated business
correspondence. Opry, thank-you notes, broadcasting, Dot Records
correspondence.
Box MS-003 Business/Financial correspondence
ca. 1947-2004.
Folder 1: 1947-1969. AFM dues, insurance
paperwork.
Folder 2: 1971-1978. Capitol
Records, personal finance, audits.
Folder 3: 1980-1989. Payment records
(performance, royalties etc), accounting, AFTRA.
Folder 4: 1990-1997. AFTRA/AFM
pensions, retirement.
Folder 5: 2000-2004. AFTRA/AFM
pensions, retirement.
Box MS-004 Business correspondence-contracts
ca. 1960s-1990s.
Folder 1: 1960s. Performance,
recording contracts including Columbia recording contract, 1963.
Folder 2: 1970s. Recording contracts
(Columbia, CBS, RCA, Capitol, Dis-Co), performance contracts.
Folder 3: 1980-1984. Contracts from
Acuff-Rose, AFTRA, WSM, performance contracts, television appearances.
Folder 4: 1985-1987. AFM, AFTRA
contracts, performance contracts, MCA recording contract, international work
permits.
Folder 5: 1988. Performance
contracts.
Folder 6: 1989. License agreements,
Opry/TV performance contracts, Canadian contracts.
Folder 7: 1990-1993. Performance
contracts (incl. Nashville Now TV show), Stonewall Jackson tribute recording
release forms.
Box MS-005 Business correspondence-Payments
and royalties ca. 1966-2008.
Folder 1: 1966-1969. Payments from
Hubert Long Talent Agency, Columbia and Decca records.
Folder 2: 1970-1974. Payments from
Hubert Long Talent Agency, CBS, RCA and Capitol records.
Folder 3: 1975-1979. Payments from
Atlas talent agency, Capitol, CBS records, AFTRA payments.
Folder 4: 1980-1989. Payments from
AFTRA, Hee Haw, WSM.
Folder 5: 1990-1998. AFTRA, Opryland
payments.
Folder 6: 2000-2008. AFTRA,
Opryland, pension, CBS Cable Network, Sony publishing payments.
Box MS-006 Business correspondence ca.
1945-2000.
Folder 1: 1945. Song pitches from
Lew Mel (Love Will Find a Way) and Chaw Mank.
Folder 2: 1965-1968. Song pitches
from Leon McAuliffe, Red River Dave. Radio related correspondence.
Folder 3: 1970-1979. Song pitches
(Cindy Walker etc.), performance inquiries, radio, thank-you notes, inquiries
from European press.
Folder 4: 1980-1989. Song pitches,
thank-you notes, discography inquiry.
Folder 5: 1990-1998. Song pitches,
thank-you notes, performance/interview inquiries, Opry correspondence.
Folder 6: 2000-2008. AFTRA
retirement, NACMAI Hall of Fame package.
Folder 7: Undated correspondence. Radio PSA
scripts, Nashville Network scripts, song pitches,
Subseries B: Correspondence-Fan
Mail MS-007 to 011.
Box MS-007
Postcards with
compliments and song requests sent to Walker during his tenure with Bill Boyd
and the Cowboy Ramblers. Circa 1944-1947
Box MS-008 Letters with compliments and song
requests sent to Walker during his tenure with Bill Boyd and the Cowboy
Ramblers. February to September, 1944.
Box
MS-009 Letters with compliments and song requests sent to Walker
during his tenure with Bill Boyd and the Cowboy Ramblers. September 25th, 1944
to 1947.
Box
MS-010 Fan mail ca. 1950s-1989.
Folder 1: ca. 1950s-1960s. Letters
written to Walker by fans.
Folder 2: 1970-1979. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Folder 3: 1980-1985. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Folder 4: 1986-1987. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Folder 5: 1987-1989. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Box MS-011 Fan mail ca. 1990-2008 including undated
correspondence.
Folder 1: 1990-1993. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Folder 2: 1994-1995. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Folder 3: 1996-1999. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Folder 4: 2000-2008. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Folder 5: Undated. Letters written
to Walker by fans.
Subseries C: Personal
correspondence MS-012 to 016
Box MS-012 Correspondence-Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances ca. 1950s-1983.
Folder 1: 1950s. Letter to Walker from
Ernest Tubb. Telegrams from Cindy Walker and Big D Jamboree cast.
Folder 2: 1960s. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Folder 3: 1970-1973. Letters written
to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances including letters from friends
Europe.
Folder 4: 1974-1976. Letters written
to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Includes some golf-related
correspondence.
Folder 5: 1980-1981. Letters written to Walker by family, friends
and acquaintances. Includes letter from Marvin Montgomery of the Light Crust
Doughboys.
Folder 6: 1982-1983. Letters written
to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Box MS-013 Correspondence-Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances ca. 1984-1989.
Folder 1: 1984-1985. Letters written
to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Folder 2: 1986. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Includes letter from Cowboy
singer, Bob Atcher and numerous Christmas cards.
Folder 3: 1987. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Includes Shrine/Masonic letters,
letter from Marty Stuart.
Folder 4: 1988. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Includes hunting related
correspondence.
Folder 5: 1989. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Includes large quantity of hunting
related correspondence.
Box MS-014 Correspondence-Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances ca. 1990-1994.
Folder 1: 1990. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Includes hunting, thank you notes
etc.
Folder 2: 1990 Christmas greetings
from family and friends, 1990.
Folder 3: 1991. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Includes hunting, golf, Masons,
newspaper clippings and thank you notes.
Folder 4: 1992-1993. Letters written
to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Folder 5: 1994. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Box MS-015: Correspondence-Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances ca. 1995-1999.
Folder 1: 1995. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Folder 2: 1996. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Hobbies, thank you notes, military
reunions.
Folder 3: 1997. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Hobbies, thank you notes, military
reunions.
Folder 4: 1998. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Hobbies, thank you notes, military
reunions.
Folder 5: 1999. Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances. Hobbies, thank you notes etc.
Box MS-016: Correspondence-Letters written to
Walker by family, friends and acquaintances ca. 2000-2008 & undated
correspondence.
Folder 1: 2000-2004. Letters written
to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Folder 2: 2005-2008. Letters written
to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Folder 3: Undated correspondence.
Letters written to Walker by family, friends and acquaintances.
Folder 4: Original news clippings
that was included with correspondence.
Box MS-017: Correspondence-Letters to Walker
from politicians and celebrities ca. 1950s-1990s and correspondence from
Walker’s run for senate.
Folder 1: 1950s-1990s. Correspondence
to Walker from noteworthy individuals such as Hank Thompson, Webb Pierce,
Ernest Tubb, Buck Owens, and politicians. Also contains contract for
performance by Hank Williams (September, 1952)
Folder 2: 1992. Correspondence
relating to Walker’s run for senate in 1992.
Subseries D: Financial manuscripts
MS-018, 019
Box MS-018: 1960s-2000s. Performance
contracts
Folder 1: 1960s-1970s. Performance and
recording contracts from Columbia, Music Country USA TV show etc.
Folder 2: 1975. Performance contracts
from Atlas Artist Bureau Inc.
Folder 3: 1976. Performance
contracts from Atlas Artist Bureau Inc.
Folder 4: 1977-1979. Performance and
recording contracts from Atlas, Shelby Singleton.
Folder 5: January-June 1980. Performance
contracts from Atlas Artist Bureau Inc. Also includes some airline tickets with
contracts.
Folder 6: July-December 1980.
Performance contracts from Atlas Artist Bureau Inc. Joe Taylor Artist Agency,
Smiley Wilson Agency.
Folder 7: 1981. Performance
contracts from Atlas Artist Bureau Inc. Smiley Wilson Agency, Trans World
Artist, Joe Taylor Artist Agency etc.
Folder 8: 1982. Performance
contracts from Atlas Artist Bureau Inc. Joe Taylor, AFM etc.
Folder 9: 1983. Performance
contracts from AFM Local 257, Trans World, Dick Shuey.
Folder 10: 1984-1987. Performance
contracts from Atlas Artist Bureau Inc. Dick Shuey, AFM etc.
Folder 11: 1988. Performance
contracts from AFM, Tessier-Marsh Talent Inc.
Folder 12: 1989. Performance
contracts from Billy Deaton, CA-Promotion
Folder 13: 1990s-2000s & undated
contracts. Performance for Nashville Now, Celebrity Outdoors, AFM etc.
Box MS-019: Financial manuscripts. Bills,
receipts, accounting etc.
Folder 1: ca. 1992. Materials
relating to Walker’s run for senate.
Folder 2: 1968-1993. Personal
finance. Loans, home improvement, banking.
Folder 3: ca. 1970s-1990s.
Insurance, retirement, AFTRA, Opry trust fund etc.
Folder 4: ca. 1977. AFTRA royalty
reports.
Folder 5: ca. 1944-2008. Pay stubs
for Walkers radio, recording and film work,
Folder 6: ca. 1978-2006. WSM-Opry
pay stubs.
Folder 7: 1983. Receipt for auto
donation.
Folder 8: ca. 1958-1982. Accounting,
performance income.
Folder 9: Various dates. Unsorted
bills, receipts, checks.
Folder 10: Various dates. Unsorted
bills, receipts, checks.
Folder 11: Various dates. Unsorted
bills, receipts, checks.
Series 02: Performance & Career related
manuscripts MS-020, 021
Box MS-020: Performance, career manuscripts
ca. 1950s-2008.
Folder 1: ca. 1950s-1960s. News
clippings relating to Walker’s performances.
Folder 2: 1970s. News clippings
relating to Walker’s performances.
Folder 3: 1980s. News clippings
relating to Walker’s performances.
Folder 4: 1990s-2000s. News
clippings relating to Walker’s performances.
Folder 5: Undated. News clippings
relating to Walker’s performances
Folder 6: ca. 1957-early 1960s.
Jimmie/Carrie Rodgers memorial items.
Folder 7: ca. 1951-1956. News
clippings relating to the Jimmie Rodgers memorial events held in Meridian, MS.
Folder 8: ca. 1990s? Walker
discography. Some of this material relates to the Bear Family reissue of
Walker’s recordings.
Folder 9: ca. 1956-1995. Scripts for
Grand Ole Opry shows, TV shows, commercials, “Sweet Dreams” film etc.
Folder 10: 1961-2008. Newspaper obituaries
for Walker and other country music figures such as Carrie Rodgers, Bill Boyd
etc.
Folder 11: Walker biographical
materials. Bio sheets on Walker from Mercury Starday and Dot labels.
Folder 12: 1967-2008. Walker’s
schedules and itineraries for live performance, TV appearances etc.
Folder 13: 1973-1998. Biographies of
Walker.
Folder 14: ca. 1978. Fan Fair,
Charlie Walker fan club materials.
Folder 15: ca. 1960s-2000s. Mostly biographical materials relating to Walker as
a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Box MS-021: Performance, career manuscripts
ca. 1940s-2000s.
Folder 1: ca. 1950s-1990s. Magazine
articles featuring Walker.
Folder 2: ca. 1940s-2000s. Materials
relating to Walker’s career as a DJ.
Folder 3: No date. Materials relating
to Walker’s career as a DJ.
Folder 4: ca. 1967-1971. Press
clippings relating to Walker’s appearances at the San Antonio Stock Show.
Folder 5. Ca. 1967-1971. Manuscripts
and promotional materials relating to the San Antonio Stock Show.
Folder 6: copyright dates ca.
1944-1990s. Lyrics for songs performed by or pitched to Walker.
Folder 7: Undated. Lyrics for songs
performed by or pitched to Walker. Some items hand written on studio
stationery, audio tape labels etc.
Folder 8: Ca. 1940s-1980s. Materials
used to promote Walker’s performances and recordings.
Series
03: Personal manuscripts MS-022
Box MS-022: Personal manuscripts relating to
military service (Tennessee Defense Force), awards & certificates, Walker’s
political career, his funeral etc.
Folder 1: ca. 1990s. Tennessee
Defense Force award and documents.
Folder 2. Ca. 1940s-1990s. Handbooks
and newspaper articles relating to the Tennessee Defense Force.
Folder 3: 1947. Press
release/written account of auto accident experienced by Walker and his band in
1947.
Folder 4: ca. 1992. Original news
clippings relating to Walker’s run for senate.
Folder 5: ca. 1990s. Original news
clippings relating to the TN Defense Force.
Folder 6: May-August, 1992.
Documents and news clippings relating to Walker’s 1992 senate run.
Folder 7: ca. 1950. Government
documents for home buying veterans and program from army discharge ceremony.
Folder 8: No dates. News clippings
featuring Walker’s wives.
Folder 9. Ca. 1960s-1990s. Newspaper
clippings featuring Walker in military/veteran’s related events.
Folder 10. No date. Walker’s suit
measurements.
Folder 11: 2008. Schedule from
celebration (funeral?) of Walker’s life.
Folder 12: ca. 1960s-1990s. Walker
family weddings and newspaper clipping for anniversary of Walker’s parents.
Folder 13: ca. 1980s-2000s. Awards,
honors and certificates for Walker. Some originals and a number of photocopies
of originals that have been scanned.
Folder 14: ca. 1964-2009.
Photocopies of newspaper accounts of awards, honors and received by Walker.
Folder 15. Ca. 1990s. Original
newspaper accounts of awards, honors and received by Walker.
Folder 16: ca. 1950s. Original
awards, honors and certificates received by Walker.
Folder 17: ca. 1960s. Original
awards, honors and certificates received by Walker.
Folder 18: ca. 1970s. Original
awards, honors and certificates received by Walker.
Folder 19: ca. 1980s. Original
awards, honors and certificates received by Walker.
Folder 20: ca. 1990s. Original
awards, honors and certificates received by Walker.
Folder 21: ca. 2000s. Original
awards, honors and certificates received by Walker.
Folder 22. No date. Original awards,
honors and certificates received by Walker. Also includes an award for Pee Wee
King from the state of Kentucky.
Envelope 23: 1943. Walker’s school
notebook. Contains original assignments, essays and grades from “Tech Hi”,
1943.
Folder 24: ca. 1960s-2000s.
Collection of miscellaneous items (Army parachute team folder etc.). Also
includes ca. 1950s-60s order blank from Hatch Showprint in Nashville.
Series 04: Hobby (golf,
hunting, Mason/Shrine) related manuscripts MS-023
Folder 1:
ca. 1980s. Manuscripts and newsprint related to Walker’s Pro Celebrity Golf
Tournament.
Folder 2: ca. 1960s-1990s. News
clippings relating to Walker’s interest in golf.
Folder 3: ca. 1950s-1990s. Golf
related brochures, programs and score cards.
Folder 4: ca. 1990s-2000s. Papers
relating to Walker sponsored or hosted golf tournaments.
Folder 5: ca. 1970s-1990s. News
clippings featuring Walker on hunting trips.
Folder 6: ca. 1980s-2000s. Hunting
related manuscripts. Brochures, Walker’s hunting license, shooters club
directory etc.
Folder 7: ca. 1990s. News clippings
featuring Walker in Masonic or Shrine related activities.
Folder 8: ca. 1950s-1990s. Mason
& Shrine related manuscripts, brochures and clippings. Also includes book
of 1992 proceedings of M.W. Grand Lodge.
Folder 9: ca. 1970s. Paperwork for
pure bred dogs.
Folder 10: 1960, 1967. Brochures for
horse racing at Santa Anita and Arizona Downs.
Folder 11: ca. 1940s-1990s.
Newspaper clippings relating to miscellaneous friends, family.
Folder 12: ca. 1990s. Scorecards, schedules relating to youth baseball
in the Nashville, TN area.
Folder 13: 1981. Materials relating to
Walker’s health food store, The Magic Mill. Newspaper article, financial
papers, brochures, schedules, map and layout for advertisement.
Series 05: Scrapbooks
MS-024, 25, 026
Box MS-024: Scrap book relating to the
Cowgirl Sweetheart contest ca. late 1940s. Contains newspaper articles,
photographs, advertisements, performance documents etc. All items individually
numbered and inventoried on separate sheet and kept in original order. Hard
copy of inventory document included in box MS-024.
Box MS-025: Scrap book “Charlie’s Business
Documents” compiled by Connie Walker. Documents, 1950-1969, represent Walker’s
recording, performing, DJ, songwriting and royalty contracts. Features
contracts from Sure Fire, Acuff Rose, Commodore, Pamper Music, Decca, Starday,
Columbia etc. Correspondence from Don Law, Paul Cohen etc. All items inventoried on separate sheet. Hard
copy of inventory document included in box MS-025.
Scrapbook MS-026: Images from scrap book of 1949
“Cowgirl Sweetheart” contest. (Contestants with Walker in variety of settings)
Also contains tourist/street scenes of occupied Japan. All photographs
inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the
beginning of scrapbook MS-025.
Series 06: Artifacts MS-027
Box MS-027: One large box containing a wide variety of 3 dimensional artifacts
from Charlie Walker. Includes souvenir judge’s gavel, Charlie Walker Celebrity
Golf scramble hat, I.D. badges, bumper stickers, patches, “Rock grass seeds”
promotional item for Walker record on Plantation label, picks, pens, belt
buckles etc.
Subgroup 02: Photographs
Photograph boxes MS-028 through
MS-039 [for a
detailed list of photographs, please contact Center staff.]
Photograph Box MS-028
“Early Years”
Images of Walker’s youth, early career (circa 1940s-1950s) in Texas as musician
and DJ. Photos of Walker with family, at radio stations, at performances etc.
All photographs inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document
included in the box.
Photograph
Box MS-029 “Masons and Shriners” Images of Walker at various
Mason/Shriners related events, performances, parades, award ceremonies etc. ca.
1980s-2000s. All photographs inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of
inventory document included in the box.
Photograph
Box MS-030 “Hunting, Fishing, Hobbies” Images of Walker (ca.
1960s-1990s) golfing, attending Opry Duck hunts (great Les Leverett photos),
shooting competitions, various social events etc. All photographs inventoried
on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the box.
Photograph
Box MS-031 “Ceremonies, awards, honors” Images of Walker at special
events and receiving awards from military, radio, Texas Country Music Hall of
Fame etc ca. 1950s-1990s. All photographs inventoried on separate sheet. Hard
copy of inventory document included in the box.
Photograph
Box MS-032 “Just Charlie” Images of Walker (ca. 1950s-1990s) throughout
his career. Promo pictures, at social events, performances etc. All photographs
inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the
box.
Photograph
Box MS-033 “Charlie and Friends Photos” Images of Walker throughout
(ca. 1940s-1990s) his career contained in a scrapbook compiled by Connie
Walker. Contains many glossy promo photos of well-known country music artists
with inscriptions to Walker. Box also contains some loose photographs. All
photographs inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document
included in the box.
Photograph
Box MS-034 “Charlie in Print” Contains many images of Walker and others
at the Jimmie Rodgers memorial event in Meridian, MS. Scrapbook also contains
important manuscripts (ca. 1944-1970s) such as a letter to parents after
induction into the army, performance/radio contracts, script from Sweet Dreams, newsprint reviews and
concert adverts. All photographs inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of
photo inventory document included in the box.
Photograph
Box MS-035 “Military, WWII and Occupation” Images from Walker’s service
in occupied Japan circa 1945-46. Images
of Walker and his band, street scenes, ships, vehicles, fellow soldiers etc.
All photographs inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document
included in the box.
Photographs
Box MS-036 “Misc. Photographs” Wide variety of images (performance,
promotional pictures, golf/hobbies) ca. 1950s-1990s that came from Walker’s
personal briefcases. Roughly processed. Contains interesting early (1950s)
images of Walker performing on the Opry, with Ray Price etc.
Photographs
Box MS-037 “1944-1946” Scrap book of early photographs of Walker.
Contains family photos of young Charlie as well as fan mail and photos from his
stint with Bill Boyd (1944). Also contains military documents (induction
notice, identification cards etc) as well as photos of Walker in occupied Japan
with band and other army friends. Also contains images of Japanese civilians,
musicians and street scenes. All photographs inventoried on separate sheet.
Hard copy of inventory document included in the box.
Photographs
Box MS-038 “Fans, Friends and Business” Walker (ca. 1950s-1990s) with
friends, family, fans and fellow musicians in social settings throughout his
career. Also contains some correspondence with photographs. All photographs
inventoried on separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the
box.
Photographs
Box MS-039 “Celebs and Charlie” Images of Walker from throughout his
career (ca. 1950s-1990s) with well-known musicians, athletes, politicians etc.
Also contains original promo photos from stars such as Spade Cooley, Red
Sovine, Maddox Bros & Rose, Hank Williams, Webb Pierce etc. many of which
are signed to Walker. Contains many photos by WSM staff photographer, Les
Leverett, of the yearly Opry duck hunting trip. All photographs inventoried on
separate sheet. Hard copy of inventory document included in the box.
Miscellaneous manuscripts
Box MS-040: Business cards ca. 1970s-1990s.
Large assortment of unsorted business cards given to Walker. Also includes a
number of small, handwritten notes with addresses, phone numbers etc.
Box
MS-041: Business cards ca. 1960s-1990s. Large assortment of unsorted
business cards given to Walker. Arranged alphabetically.
Box
MS-042: Date books, calendars ca. 1970s-1990s. Collection of calendars
and datebooks with personal notes inscribed by Walker to mark performance dates
etc.
Box
MS-043: Airline tickets ca. 1970s-1990s. Tickets issued to Walker for
travel to performances.
Box
MS-044 RESTRICTED: Personal manuscripts (military, health,
genealogical records) that are not available for use by researchers.
Box
MS-045 RESTRICTED: Personal manuscripts (military, health,
genealogical records) that are not available for use by researchers.
Box
MS-046: Walker’s business and identification cards ca. 1960s-1990s. Unsorted
collection of personal business, identification, award and membership cards
belonging to Charlie Walker.
Box
MS-047: Serials & publications with reference to Walker. These
serials are duplicates of items already held in the Center’s collection but have
been retained due to their having been in Walker’s belongings.
Box
MS-048: Western wear catalog. Ca. 1960s catalog for Gross Original
custom western wear of Denver, CO. Book contains examples of design and samples
of cloth.
Box
MS-049: Sheet music ca. 1960s-1970s. Contains sheet music examples of
many of Walker’s hit songs as well as a 3 ring binder of songs from Jim Reeves
enterprises (Tuckahoe Music, Open Road Music, Acclaim Music Inc.)
Oversize materials Contains large size posters, cloth
banners, yard sign for Walker’s race for senator and award certificates circa
1950s-1990s. Most items have been inventoried on separate sheet.
Materials Cataloged Separately:
Many of
books, serials and examples of sheet music that are part of the Charlie Walker
collection have been cataloged within those general collections rather than
within 08-020.
Arrangement:
Original
order of the materials has been maintained in so far as possible. In the case
where there was no obvious order, the processor devised the basic
organizational scheme for the collections, reorganizing the materials within
component groups where necessary. Manuscripts and correspondence have been
filed chronologically at the folder and box level.
Location:
Correspondence,
manuscripts and sound recordings have been arranged together as one grouping.
Some materials, such as books, serials and sheet music have been interfiled in
the suitable Center for Popular Music collection when suitable. A detailed list
of individual items in the photograph and audio/video collections is available
electronically in the Center-generated research aids on the server as well as
having a hard copy of the contents included in each box. The manuscript
materials and photographs are located with other manuscript collections in the
collections storage area and are filed by accession and manuscript number.
(Photographs will also be cross-referenced in the Iconographic collection.)
Oversize extra-large materials are located in the metal oversize cabinet in the
storage area. Sound recordings will be filed by label and issue number with
other sound recordings in the collections storage area when applicable. Other
separated materials, such as books, sheet music, trade catalogs, and
performance documents will be located in the appropriate collection housed in
the storage area. All materials (except for sound recordings) are searchable in
the Center’s in-house InMagic database and online through the Center’s website.
All may be searched by accession number.
Related Materials:
The Center
holds other materials related to Charlie Walker, Country music, Western swing,
the Grand Ole Opry, songwriters, Country music radio and Country music in
Texas. Information concerning country music and biographies of Charlie Walker
can be found in the reading room collection and searchable through the MTSU
Walker Library. Specific songs, performances and other original music materials
may be found in the Center’s rare books, sheet music, performance, and
photograph collections searchable through the Center’s website.
Initials and Date of individual
creating finding aid
J.F. 5/23/2012