The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
cELLAbration! A Tribute to Ella Jenkins (Sound recording : 2004)
Anthology of American Folk Music (Sound recording : 1997)
Jazz: The Smithsonian Collection (Sound recording : 2011)
Best of Broadside (Sound recording : 2000)
Extent:
13 cu. ft. (12 record storage boxes) (2 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Brochures
Clippings
Manuscripts
Floppy disks
Compact discs
Digital versatile discs
Electronic records
Posters
Color photographs
Color transparencies
Videotapes
Artifacts
Date:
1987-2015
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of records documenting the marketing and publicity of recordings produced by Smithsonian/Folkways Recordings, part of the Smithsonian Institution
Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage. The majority of the records were created by Brenda Dunlap, Marketing Director, 1994-2001, and Richard Burgess, Marketing Director,
2001-2014, and Associate Director of Business Strategies, 2014-2015.
Major projects documented within this accession include the "Anthology of American Folk Music;" "The Mississippi: River of Song;" "Best of Broadside;" "Jazz: The Smithsonian
Collection;" "cELLAbration: A Tribute to Ella Jenkins;" and Smithsonian Global Sound. Exhibits documented within the accession include "Seeing Jazz;" "Creativity and Resistance:
Maroon Cultures in the Americas;" "Wade in the Water: African-American Sacred Music Traditions;" "This Land is Your Land: The Life and Legacy of Woody Guthrie;" "Before Freedom
Came: African American Life in the Antebellum South;" and "We Shall Overcome: Photographs from America's Civil Rights Era."
Materials include correspondence; memoranda; notes; press kits and releases; posters; brochures; catalogs; media reports; images; promotional materials and artifacts; manuals;
clippings; meeting agendas; videotapes, and related materials. Some materials are in electronic format.
Rights:
Restricted for 15 years, until Jan-01-2031; Transferring office; 05/04/2016 Memorandum, Milhoan to Horgan/Adams; Contact reference staff for details.
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Radio program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi (Compact disc : 1998)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Americans Old and New (Television program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Midwestern Crossroads (Television program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Southern Fusion (Television program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Louisiana, Where Music is King (Television program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Land of Lakes and Cultures (Radio program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Midwestern Crossroads (Radio program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Sounds Around Saint Louis (Radio program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Memphis Rhythm and Delta Blues (Radio program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Rockin' Round the Water (Radio program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: Musical Bayous and Traditional Melodies (Radio program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song: The Beat of New Orleans (Radio program : 1999)
Extent:
48.5 cu. ft. (45 record storage boxes) (7 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Compact discs
Databases
Electronic records
Floppy disks
Audiotapes
Motion pictures (visual works)
Videotapes
Place:
Mississippi River
Mississippi River Valley
Date:
1995-1998
Descriptive Entry:
This accession documents the production of "The Mississippi: River of Song." This project combined a television series, radio series, and compact disc (CD) set. The
project as a whole explores the richness and vitality of American music at the close of the twentieth century through live performances and intimate discussions with musicians
along the course of the Mississippi River.
The 4-part television series aired on the Public Broadcasting Service beginning in January 1999. Episodes include "Americans Old and New," "Midwestern Crossroads," "Southern
Fusion," and "Louisiana, Where Music is King." The series takes viewers on a musical journey from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the river's mouth in the Gulf of
Mexico, creating a portrait of the American musician along the way. All scenes were shot live on location and feature musicians that represent the regional culture.
The 7-part radio series aired on Public Radio International affiliates beginning in January 1999. The radio series is similar in content to the television series and is
hosted by Ani DiFranco. Episodes include "Land of Lakes and Cultures;" "Midwestern Crossroads," "Sounds Around Saint Louis," "Memphis Rhythm and Delta Blues," "Rockin' Round
the Water," "Musical Bayous and Traditional Melodies," and "The Beat of New Orleans."
The 2-CD set consists of 36 tracks of live recordings from 1995 through 1997 and is subtitled "A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi." The CDs feature contemporary musicians
who have forged their styles out of the rich musical heritage found along the banks of the Mississippi River. The CDs were distributed through Smithsonian Folkways beginning
in 1998.
Materials in this accession include original film negatives and audio and video originals, masters, safety copies, and transfers of performances, interviews, and scenery.
Also included are interview transcripts, logs, databases, tape lists, and other documentation of the audiovisual elements. Some materials are in electronic format.
Restrictions:
Special restrictions on use of these materials may apply. Viewing/listening copies are not currently available, but can be made for a fee, Transferring office; 4/10/2002 memorandum, Peters to SIA; Contact reference staff for details.
Topic:
Television -- Production and direction Search this
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Radio program : 1999)
Folk Masters from the Barns of Wolf Trap (Radio program)
Poetics of Line: Seven Artists of the Nsukka Group, Nigeria (Video recording : 1997)
Radio Smithsonian (Radio program)
Lewis Latimer (Video recording : 1999)
Discovering America (Radio program)
Monumental Propaganda (Video recording : 1994)
Here at the Smithsonian (Television program)
Black Radio: Telling It Like It Was (Radio program : 1995)
Ain Ghazal (Video recording)
Guide to the Smithsonian (Documentary film)
Woody Guthrie's Legacy (Documentary film : 2000)
Colors of Invention: An Exploration of Color, Technology, and Culture (Documentary film : 1998)
Extent:
2 cu. ft. (2 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Brochures
Color photographs
Black-and-white photographs
Date:
1989-2001
Descriptive Entry:
This accession includes records documenting the film, video, and radio production activities of John R. Paulson, Audio-Visual Production Specialist. Materials include
correspondence, memoranda, and notes; production scripts, proposals, shoot schedules, and credits; release forms; contracts; budget summaries; camera reports; conference and
awards information; and technical articles.
Productions documented in these records include: "Folk Masters from the Barns of Wolf Trap," "The Poetics of Line: Seven Artists of the Nsukka Group, Nigeria," "Radio Smithsonian,"
"Lewis Latimer," "Discovering America," "Monumental Propaganda," "Here at the Smithsonian," "Black Radio: Telling It Like It Was," "Ain Ghazal," "River of Song: A Musical
Journey Down the Mississippi River," "River of Song: Music Along the Mississippi," "VIARC [Visitor Information and Associates' Reception Center] Theater Program," "Woody Guthrie's
Legacy," and "The Colors of Invention: An Exploration of Color, Technology, and Culture."
Global Environment: Are We Overreacting? (Video recording : 1989)
In Open Air: A Portrait of the American Impressionists (Motion picture : 1982)
Yorktown (Motion picture : 1982)
Work of Peace (Television program : 1984)
Piano 300 (Video recording : 2000)
Piano Grand! (Television program : 2000)
Smithsonian Institution (Documentary film)
America of the Braves: The Dark and Bright Sides of the Frontier Spirit (Television program)
America of Presidents (Television program)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Radio program : 1999)
American Inventions (Television program)
Smithsonian video collection
Here at the Smithsonian (Television program)
Flying Machines (Video recording : 1989)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
Smithsonian World (Television program : 1984-1991)
Extent:
9 cu. ft. (9 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Clippings
Black-and-white photographs
Black-and-white transparencies
Date:
1980-2002
Descriptive Entry:
This accession includes records documenting the film, video, and radio production activities of Paul B. Johnson, Director. Material consists of correspondence and memoranda;
production proposals; information on the Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK)-Smithsonian Institution collaborative television project; budget summaries; information on the Smithsonian
Video Collection; contracts; release and rights forms; videotapes of Lawrence M. Small's installation as Secretary, and his first press conference; research articles, fundraising,
marketing, and awards information; production scripts; shooting schedules; and special events information.
Productions documented in these records include "The Jazz Singers," "Memphis: Cradle of Rock and Soul," "River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi River," "River
of Song: Music Along the Mississippi," "The Buried Mirror," "The Global Environment: Are We Overacting," "Smithsonian World," "In Open Air: A Portrait of American Impressionists,"
"Yorktown," "The Work of Peace," "Piano 300," "Piano Grand!," "Here at the Smithsonian," "The Flying Machines," and "The Smithsonian Institution." NHK-SI productions include
"America of the Braves: The Dark and Bright Sides of the Frontier Spirit," "America of Presidents," and "American Inventions."
Topic:
Television -- Production and direction Search this
Perpetual Campaign: The President, The People, and The Court (Video recording : 1992)
Negative Campaigns (Video recording : 1991)
Low Road to High Office? (Video recording : 1992)
Black Radio: Telling It Like It Was (Radio program : 1995)
Folk Masters from the Barns of Wolf Trap (Radio program)
Jazz Smithsonian (Radio program : 1993)
Remembering Slavery (Radio program : 1997)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
Beyond Category: The Music of Duke Ellington (Video recording)
Jazz Age in Paris: 1914-1940 (Video recording : 1998)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Radio program : 1999)
Here at the Smithsonian (Television program)
Jazz Singers (Radio program)
People and Pianos: 300 Years (Television program : 2001)
Preserving an Architectural Heritage: The Decorative Designs of Frank Lloyd Wright (Motion picture)
Rescue in the Wild: Endangered Species and Habitat Protection at SI (Video recording)
The National Zoo: Think Tank (Video recording : c. 1995)
Afro-Americans and the Evolution of a Living Constitution (Video recording : 1988)
First Ladies (Video recording : 1989)
Radio Smithsonian (Radio program)
Workers and Managers (Video recording : 1993)
In Open Air: A Portrait of the American Impressionists (Motion picture : 1982)
Celebrations (Video recording : 1987)
Titanic Mail Story (Video recording : 1999)
Red, Hot, and Blue! (Radio program)
Swedish Sculpture (Video recording)
Memphis: Cradle of Rock 'n' Soul (Radio program : 2000)
Extent:
8 cu. ft. (8 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Clippings
Brochures
Color transparencies
Color photographs
Date:
1982-2001
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of records created and maintained by John P. Meehan, Audio-Visual Production Specialist; Jacquie Gales Webb, Producer; Paul B. Johnson, Director;
and other Radio Smithsonian staff, documenting the planning, development, and execution of original radio series and programs.
Radio productions documented in this accession include "Memphis: Cradle of Rock 'n' Soul;" "Folk Masters at the Barns of Wolf Trap;" "Jazz Smithsonian;" "Remembering Slavery;"
"River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the Mississippi River;" "Jazz Singers;" "Black Radio: Telling It Like It Was;" "Red, Hot, and Blue!;" and "Radio Smithsonian." Video
productions documented in this accession include "Perpetual Campaign: The President, The People, and The Court;" "Negative Campaigns;" "Low Road to High Office?;" "Beyond
Category: the Musical Genius of Duke Ellington;" "Jazz Age in Paris: 1914-1940;" "Rescue in the Wild: Endangered Species and Habitat Protections at SI;" "The National Zoo:
Think Tank;" "Afro-Americans and the Evolution of a Living Constitution;" "First Ladies;" "Workers and Managers;" "Celebrations;" "Titanic Mail Story;" and "Swedish Sculpture."
Television productions documented in this accession include "River of Song: Music Along the Mississippi;" "Here at the Smithsonian;" and "People and Pianos: 300 Years."
Films documented in this accession include "Preserving an Architectural Heritage: The Decorative Designs by Frank Lloyd Wright" and "In Open Air: A Portrait of the American
Impressionists."
Materials include correspondence, memoranda, notes, scripts, treatments, release forms, contracts, photographs, clippings, press releases, and budgets.
Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden (Documentary film : 1991)
The Haupt Garden (Video recording : 1994)
Smithsonian world
Smithsonian video collection
Search for the Tunguska Meteorite (Documentary film)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
Piano 300 (Video recording : 2000)
Extent:
6 cu. ft. (6 record storage boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Clippings
Black-and-white photographs
Color transparencies
Black-and-white negatives
Date:
1984-2002
Descriptive Entry:
This accession includes the records of Laura T. Schneider, Audio-Visual Production Specialist, primarily documenting her work on "Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese
Garden," an educational film to acquaint American audiences with the historical and cultural significance of Japanese Gardens and their importance to Japan's landscape; and
the production "The Haupt Garden," an orientation video about the Victorian garden to be shown in the Children's Room at the Smithsonian 'Castle' Building. The records also
include information about other productions such as "Smithsonian World," an educational television series that explored people, ideas, and events that shape world culture;
"Search for the Tunguska Meteorite," a documentary film about the 1908 explosion in Siberia of a large meteorite; "River of Song: Music Along the Mississippi," an educational
television program exploring music along the Mississippi River from Minnesota to New Orleans; "Piano 300," an exhibition video celebrating three centuries of people and pianos;
and the "Smithsonian Video Collection," an educational video series focusing on the Smithsonian Institution's collections and research.
Black Radio: Telling It Like It Was (Radio program : 1995)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Radio program : 1999)
Guitar: Electrified, Amplified, Deified (Radio program : 1996)
Jazz Smithsonian (Radio program : 1993)
Cole Porter's 100th from Carnegie Hall (Radio program : 1991)
Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden (Documentary film : 1991)
Spirits of the Present: The Legacy from Native America (Radio program : 1992)
Folk Masters from the Barns of Wolf Trap (Radio program)
Radio Smithsonian (Radio program)
Extent:
0.5 cu. ft. (1 document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Brochures
Date:
1991-1999
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of press kits for a variety of radio productions including "Black Radio: Telling It Like It Was;" "River of Song: A Musical Journey Down the
Mississippi River;" "Guitar: Electrified, Amplified, Deified;" "Jazz Smithsonian;" "Spirits of the Present: The Legacy of Native America;" "Folk Masters at the Barns of Wolf
Trap;" "Cole Porter's 100th from Carnegie Hall;" and "Radio Smithsonian." Also included are promotional materials for the television production "River of Song: Music Along
the Mississippi" and the documentary video "Dream Window: Reflections on the Japanese Garden." Materials include fact sheets, marketing materials, general correspondence,
graphics associated with the production, and other promotional materials. Some fact sheets include licensing and fee information as well as short biographies of the performers
involved.
Celebrating a Century: The 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition (Motion picture : 1976)
Piano Grand! (Television program : 2000)
Black Radio: Telling It Like It Was (Radio program : 1995)
Beyond Category: The Music of Duke Ellington (Video recording)
Sawyer and His Mill (Motion picture : 1969)
Creatures Great and Small (Video recording : 1989)
Smithsonian World (Television program : 1984-1991)
Yorktown (Motion picture : 1982)
First Ladies (Video recording : 1989)
Engines of Change: The American Industrial Revolution, 1790-1860 (Video recording : 1987)
The Mississippi: River of Song (Television program : 1999)
Piano 300 (Video recording : 2000)
Jazz Smithsonian (Radio program : 1993)
Smithsonian Quest (Television program : 1986)
Science in American Life (Video recording : c. 1992)
Jazz Age in Paris: 1914-1940 (Video recording : 1998)
Smithsonian Minutes (Television program : c. 1995)
Smithsonian video collection
Last Wheel Works (Motion picture : 1974)
Beyond the Ocean, Beneath the Leaf (Video recording : 1982)
What in the World (Television program : 1977)
Extent:
3.90 cu. ft. (3 record storage boxes) (1 16x20 box) (4 oversize folders)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Floor plans
Drawings
Black-and-white photographs
Color photographs
Color negatives
Black-and-white negatives
Date:
1968-2002
Descriptive Entry:
This accession includes records documenting the film, video, and radio production activities of John P. Meehan, Audio-Visual Production Specialist; Jacquie Gales Webb,
Producer; and Paul B. Johnson, Director. Material consists of correspondence, memoranda, and notes; performer's licenses; production logs; contracts and releases; music cue
sheets; blueprints; interview transcripts; grant information; audio scripts; photographs and slides; drawings; budget summaries; meeting agenda; proposals; and information
on the Smithsonian Video Collection.
Productions documented in these records include "Piano Grand!," "Black Radio: Telling it Like it Was," "Beyond Category: The Musical Genius of Duke Ellington," "The Sawyer
and His Mill," "Creatures Great and Small," "Celebrating a Century: The 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition," "The Last Wheel Works," "Smithsonian Quest," "Smithsonian World," "Yorktown,"
"The First Ladies," "Engines of Change," "Beyond the Ocean, Beneath the Leaf," "River of Song: Music Along the Mississippi," "Piano 300," "Jazz Smithsonian," "What in the
World," "Science in American Life," "Jazz in Paris: 1914-1940," and "Smithsonian Minutes."
2.5 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (3 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Audiotapes
Compact discs
Videotapes
Place:
Mississippi River
Mississippi River Valley
Date:
1998-1999
Descriptive Entry:
This accession documents the production of "The Mississippi: River of Song." Better known as "River of Song," this project combined a television series, radio series,
and 2-disc compact disc. The project as a whole explores the richness and vitality of American music at the close of the twentieth century through live performances and intimate
discussions with musicians along the course of the Mississippi River. The 4-part television series aired on the Public Broadcasting Service beginning in January 1999. It takes
viewers on a musical journey from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the river's mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, creating a portrait of the American musician along the way.
All scenes were shot live on location and feature musicians that represent the regional culture. The 7-part radio series aired on Public Radio International affiliates beginning
in January 1999. The radio series is similar in content to the television series and is hosted by Ani DiFranco. The 2-CD set consists of 36 tracks of live recordings from
1995 through 1997. The CDs feature contemporary musicians who have forged their styles out of the rich musical heritage found along the banks of the Mississippi River. The
CDs were distributed through Smithsonian Folkways beginning in 1998. Materials in this accession include originals, production masters, archives, narration, sound mixes, distribution
copies, and promotional copies. Additional and detailed information about these productions may be found at The River of Song Project website at http://www.pbs.org/riverofsong/.
Restrictions:
Restrictions pertaining to the use of these materials may apply (based on contracts/copyright). Access restrictions may also apply if viewing/listening copies are not currently available. Viewing/listening copies can be made for a fee. Contact reference staff for details.
Topic:
Television -- Production and direction Search this
Video recordings -- Production and direction Search this
