Brunk, Henry and Mercedes Rey 1979-06-25
The Brunks discuss their experiences with tent shows, tent show employees, and the Brunk family involvement in tent shows during the 1920s and 1930s.
General Interview Information
Interviewee Name: Henry and Mercedes Rey Brunk
Additional Parties Recorded:
Date: June 25, 1979
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Interviewer: Jerry Martin
Length: 45 minutes
Abstract
Tape 1, Side 1:
Various photographs discussed,
Involvement with Ray Howell players,
Joyce Lee Brunk,
C. William Booth, performer (1929-1930),
Anecdote, drunk at tent show,
Use of "Toby" shows,
Show names,
Henry Brunk's mother,
Tent show attendance,
Diary,
Family size,
Circle stock shows,
Criticisms,
Fred Twyman, tent show owner,
Show size,
Playing theaters,
Pictures used in shows,
Erman Gray show,
Small staff,
Plays,
Problems during winter,
Gladys Bell, pianist,
Playing theaters (again) (1927),
Locations played (1947),
Visitors
Tape 1, Side 2:
Photographs and articles discussed,
Fred Brunk,
101 Wild West Shows (1909),
Circus Boys Universal Band,
Charlie Schneider, sow financier,
Brunk's Comedians tent show,
Wichita Falls, Texas (1935),
Benkelman, Nebraska (1938),
Played county fair,
Erman Gray,
T. O. Gray, wife,
Family members mentioned,
Employment, various Brunk tent shows
Range Dates: 1909-1947
Bulk Dates: 1909-1947
Access Information
Original Recording Format:
Recording Format Notes:
Transcript:
Thank you for your interest in this oral history interview. Our oral history collection is available to patrons in the Southwest Collection's Reading Room, located on the campus of Texas Tech University. For reading room hours, visit our website. Please contact Reference Staff at least one week prior to your visit to ensure the oral history you are interested in will be available. Due to copyright issues, duplications of our oral histories can only be made for family members. If an oral history transcript has been made available online, the link will be provided on this page. More information on accessing our oral histories is located here. Preferred citation style can be found here.
