Townsend, Charles 1976-05-26,28
Dr. Townsend, rodeo announcer and professor of history at West Texas State University, discusses the writing of San Antonio Rose: The Life and Music of Bob Wills, and the background for his decision to write the biography.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Charles Townsend
Additional Parties Recorded: None
Date: May 26 and 28, 1976
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Interviewer: Bob Nash and David Murrah
Length: 1 hour 40 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1: (First ten minutes are blank),
Professor of history, West Texas State University,
Southwest Collection,
Research (1960s),
Sylvan Dunn,
Bob Wills,
Music,
Jazz quality,
Ranch dances,
Humanitarian,
Best known song,
San Antonio Rose: The Life and Music of Bob Wills,
Bob Wills (again),
Musicians,
W. Lee O’Daniel,
Personality,
Honesty,
Financial standing,
Record collection,
Southwest Collection (again),
Bob Wills (again),
Genius of folk music,
Jim Rob Wills, namesake,
Alcohol problems,
Reactions by book buyers.
Tape 1, Side 2: Reactions by book buyers (continued),
Marriage (1942),
Recording with Bing Crosby,
Plagiarism,
Fan clubs,
"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star",
Cindy Walker, composer,
Screenplay,
Records,
Price.
Tape 2, Side 1: Promotion,
Religious book store,
Hemphill-Wells Department Store,
Wisconsin,
Hardin-Simmons,
Sylvan Dunn,
Southwest Collection,
Oral History,
Interviews for Texas Tech,
Bob Wills research,
Turkey, Texas, residents taped,
Laverne Simmons (Barnehill),
Johnny Lee,
Billy Jack,
Book,
Began (1970).
Tape 2, Side 2: Travel (December 2, 1970),
Bob Wills interview,
Views on Bob Wills’ music,
Book (again),
Oral history main source,
Articles,
Scrapbook,
Research techniques,
Field work,
Tex Brown,
Benefits,
Property control,
Artifacts,
Information.
Range Dates: 1930s-1976
Bulk Dates: 1960s-1976
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
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