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The John C. Hartford Collection: Highlights of the Collection:

This Wilson Music Library recently received the library of musician John Hartford. The collection contains over 1,500 items, including biographies of musicians, fiddle tune books, and books on the music of the South.

Remembering John:

"John was a musician's musician and an entertainer's entertainer. He amassed books and music to immerse himself in it and share with anyone who was interested.  He played music to convey emotion and touch people… He simply loved to play."   

–  Alan O’Bryant

Highlights of the Hartford Collection:

The following titles offer a glimpse of the rich variety of materials collected by John Hartford. 

Francis O'Neill (1848-1936), O'Neill's Music of Ireland: [over 1,000 jigs, reels, hornpipes, long dances & marches, in a newly printed & corrected collection of the dance music of Ireland : an introduction on the history of Irish music : tips on playing with an authentic feeling ; new settings from the playing of Michael Coleman & the Sligo fiddle masters] (New York: Oak Publications, [1976]), call no. M1744 .O58 O5.

James S. Kerr, Collection(s) of Merry Melodies: For the Violin, Consisting of Scotch and Irish Reels and Jigs, Highland Schottisches, Country Dances, Hornpipes, Clog Dances, Waltzes, Polkas, &c. : in all 447 Airs, Specially Arranged for the Ballroom (Glasgow: James S. Kerr, [198-]):

28 Favorite Songs as Featured on the Grand Ole Opry by the Bailes Brothers: Folio 1, for voice and guitar (1945), VAULT M1630.18 .B15 1945.

Clara Beeson Hubbard, Merry Songs and Games: For the Use of the Kindergarten (St. Louis: Balmer & Weber, c1881), VAULT M1990 .H862 1881.

K¯osei Yoshida, Biru Monr¯o : Yoshida K¯osei shashin-sh¯u (English subtitle: Father of Bluegrass: Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys), a compilation of photographs taken during the 1984 tour of Japan by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys ([Japan]: B.O.M. Service, 1985), VAULT ML420 .M5595 Y67 1985

Jean Thomas, Devil's Ditties: Being Stories of the Kentucky Mountain People, With the Songs they Sing (Chicago: W.W. Hatfield, 1931), VAULT ML3551.7 .K4 T46 1931.

J.B.T. Marsh, The Story of the Jubilee Singers: With Their Songs, rev. ed. (New York: S.W. Green's Son, 1883), VAULT, ML400 .M353 1883.

Bob Pinson, The Golden Years: Kitty Wells (Vollersode, West Germany: Bear Family Records, [1987]), VAULT, ML420 .W38 P5 1987.