TABLE OF CONTENTS
Descriptive Summary
Biographical Note
Scope and Contents
Restrictions
Index Terms
Related Material
Separated Material
Administrative Information
Description of Series
Business papers
Personal papers
Photographic materials
Audio-visual materials:
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A Guide to the Skipper Lee Frazier Papers, 1967-1993
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Creator: |
Frazier, Skipper Lee (1924-) |
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Title: |
Skipper Lee Frazier Papers |
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Dates: |
1967-1993 |
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Abstract: |
The Skipper Lee Frazier Papers
(1967-1993) primarily document Frazier’s business ventures in radio, entertainment,
and motels. A selection of personal papers are also included, as well as
photographs, audio-visual materials, and newspaper clippings that Frazier
collected. |
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Accession No.: |
2007-062 |
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OCLC No.: |
239636156 |
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Extent: |
9 ft. |
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Language: |
Materials are written in English. |
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Repository: |
Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The
University of Texas at Austin |
Long-time Houston resident, Skipper Lee Frazier, businessman, radio disk jockey,
manager and producer, is best known for his popular radio show at KCOH-AM. Frazier
played a distinctive sign-on at the beginning of each show and its most memorable
line, that he was implored by voices to "steal away and
carry a mountain of soul to Houston," is still associated with him. After
a 22-year career, Frazier retired and became a partial owner of the station. But
Frazier’s career was not limited to the radio industry. He hosted a television
variety show named "The Skipper Lee Show," ran an advertising business,
and operated several budget motels. Frazier also had a long career in the music
industry in tandem with his duties as a disk jockey. He served as a manager and
producer for several local acts, including The Masters of Soul, Bo Williams, and The
TSU Tornadoes. Frazier achieved his greatest success with Archie Bell and the
Drells, who had a #1 hit in 1968 with the song "Tighten Up." The
intersection of his radio and music careers led him to become involved with the KOOL
Jazz Festival, serving as a producer, promoter, booker, and master of ceremonies. At
present, Frazier operates the Skipper Lee & Son Eternal Rest Funeral Home in
Houston with his son, James.
Return to the Table of Contents
The Skipper Lee Frazier Papers (1967-1993) primarily document Frazier’s business
ventures in radio, entertainment, and motels. The collection is divided into four
series: Business Papers, Personal Papers, Photographs, and Audio-Visual
Materials.
The Business series is comprised of: record contracts, royalty statements for groups
that Frazier managed (mostly Archie Bell & the Drells), biographies and papers
relating to Houston-area recording artists with whom Frazier worked (TSU Tornadoes,
Archie Bell & the Drells, Masters of Soul, and Big Joe Nettles), advertisements
for concerts and events, papers relating to the motels that Frazier managed, blank
forms, Frazier's companies Frazier & McKay Productions, L. J. F. Productions,
and S.L.F. Supply, a calendar with scheduled performance dates for Archie Bell &
the Drells, papers relating to Frazier's membership in the American Federation of
Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG),
correspondence, publications relating to the entertainment industry, transcripts of
radio commercials broadcast on KCOH-AM, lists of ad sales on KCOH-AM, general
information about KCOH-AM and its employees, ledgers and receipts that document
Frazier's business expenditures, sheet music and lyrics, tax records, documents from
the Bureau of Land Management, papers related to the Skipper Lee & Son Eternal
Rest Funeral Home, and publicity and correspondence relating to the KOOL Jazz
Festival (sometimes known as the Astrodome KOOL Jazz Festival.)
The Personal Papers series is comprised of: documents about events that occurred at
Windsor Village United Methodist Church (Frazier's home church), a telephone
directory from Windsor Village United Methodist Church, a proof copy of Tighten Up:
The Autobiography of Skipper Lee, ephemera, correspondence and documents relating to
the 1988 West Gulf Coast Engineers, Inc. lawsuit to which Frazier was a party,
awards and certificates that Frazier received from various community organizations,
invitations and advertisements for events in the community that Frazier assisted
with, papers relating to Frazier’s unsuccessful bid for Harris County Commissioner,
brochures and programs for community events, papers relating to the Muhammad Ali
Testimonial dinner, papers relating to Ben Barnes’ race for governor, speeches given
by Frazier, various magazines that Frazier collected, papers from the 1992
Republican convention site selection committee, Skipper Lee Frazier biographical
information, correspondence, personal legal documents, and a 1993 wall calendar.
Photographic subjects include: snapshots of events, people and places in Houston,
professional headshots of Frazier, live performances, Archie Bell & the Drells,
Juneteenth Music Festival, promotional photographs collected by Frazier, Windsor
Valley United Methodist Church, Skipper Lee & Son Eternal Rest Funeral Home,
Jessie Jackson, Muhammad Ali, and "The Skipper Lee
Show."
A cubic foot of audio-visual material collected by Frazier is present in the
collection. This series is comprised of LPs, 45s, audiocassettes, and reel-to-reel
tapes of musical groups (many from the Houston area), a recording of the 1965
National Association of Recording Artists convention, and demo tapes. VHS tapes with
coverage of Houston-area events and musicians are also included in this series. A
highlight of the VHS materials is a copy of A Mountain of Soul: Skipper Lee Frazier,
which is a biographical feature on Frazier and covers the "roasts and toasts" that have been held in his honor.
Return to the Table of Contents
Access Restrictions
Use of audio material and transparent media by appointment only. Please contact
repository.
Access to portions of this collection is restricted. Contact repository for further
information.
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Subjects (Persons) |
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Frazier, Skipper Lee. |
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Subjects (Organizations) |
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KCOH-AM (Radio station: Houston, Texas). |
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Subjects |
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Hotels -- Texas. |
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Music publicity -- Texas. |
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Sound recording industry -- Texas. |
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Places |
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Houston (Tex.) |
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A published copy of Tighten Up by Archie Bell & the Drells,
The Making of A Million Selling Hit Record, The Autobiography of Skipper Lee
Frazier, A Legendary Houston Disk Jockey (2001, Trafford Publishing) is
held in the Texas Collection Library. The proof of this book is included in the
Skipper Lee Frazier Papers. |
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Artifact separated to the Artifact Collection. Contact repository for more
information. |
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Skipper Lee Frazier Papers, 1967-1993, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The
University of Texas at Austin.
This collection was processed by Julie Judkins, August 2008. Subsequent revisions
were made by Megan Mummey, March 2010.
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Business papers |
box |
2K46 |
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Entertainment industry: |
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1975 calendar of scheduled shows |
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Archie Bell & the Drells |
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American Federation of Television and Radio Artists
(AFTRA)/Screen Actors Guild (SAG) |
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Artist biographies |
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Advertisements and flyers |
box |
2.325/K79b |
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Large poster for "Grady
Gaines/Show & Blues Revue/April 12/Rockefeller’s/3620
Washington/Houston, Texas" |
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Large poster for "The Third Annual Belly Up/Blues
Festival, " Sun. Sept. 17 (2 copies) |
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Big Joe Nettles promotional materials |
box |
OD1424 |
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Skipper Lee Frazier |
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Archie Bell and the Drells |
box |
2K46 |
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Assorted sheet music and song lyrics |
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AUD Arena Stadium International Guide
& Directory, 1979 |
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The Bar-Kays Show, August 5th, 1978
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Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) |
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Clay versus Boneva Fight, December, 7th, 1970
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Contracts and Riders, August 9th, 1966 – October
20th, 1975 |
box |
2K47 |
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Contracts and riders, August 6th, 1975 – June 21th,
1991 |
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Correspondence, May 29th, 1967 – August 25th, 1992,
and undated |
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Frazier & McKay Productions |
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James Brown show, San Antonio, September 4th, 1978
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Jazz Recording Labels in U.S.A.
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Joe Nettles papers |
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Leased equipment receipts and brochures |
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L.J.F. Productions |
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Blank forms |
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Performance Guide,
7/1989 |
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Performance Guide, 9/1989
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Performance Guide, 10/1989
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Performance Guide, 12/1989
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Planning documents and notes |
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"Skipper Lee
Show" |
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Talent agency flyers |
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Tax documents |
box |
2K48 |
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Royalty statements |
box |
2K50 |
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Photographs: |
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Archie Bell & the Drells |
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"Skipper Lee
Show" |
box |
2K52 |
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Assorted newspaper clippings |
box |
2K48 |
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KOOL Jazz Festival: |
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Assorted Papers |
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Correspondence |
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Programs |
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Newspaper clippings |
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KCOH-AM: |
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Assorted papers, April 16, 1973 - December 31,
1978, and undated |
box |
2K49 |
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Assorted papers, January 1, 1979 - 1991
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Ad sales, April 16, 1968 - May, 1993, and undated
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Commercial transcripts |
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Correspondence, September 24th, 1973 – April 15th,
1993, and undated |
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Gladys Hill Memorial Fund |
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Frazier Enterprises Ledger of Expenses,
1969-1970 |
box |
2K50 |
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Skipper Lee & Son Eternal Rest Funeral Home: |
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Assorted papers |
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Photographs |
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Joseph Paul Taylor, Jr. photo album |
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S. L. F. Supply, Inc. records |
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Skipper Lee Advertising records |
box |
2K51 |
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Motel Business: |
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Assorted papers |
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Correspondence |
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Tax documents |
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Ledgers of expenses |
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Correspondence and invoices Richard J. Vane's motel
additions |
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Bureau of Land Management, lands available for oil and gas
filings |
box |
2K52 |
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Receipts and invoices |
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Personal papers |
box |
2K49 |
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General correspondence, June 27th, 1968 – April 22nd,
1993, and undated |
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Windsor Village United Methodist Church: |
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Church events |
box |
2K50 |
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Photographs |
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Tighten Up: The Autobiography of Skipper
Lee: Proof version of book, c. 2001 |
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West Gulf Coast Engineers, Inc., correspondence and documents
relating to lawsuit, 1988 |
box |
2K51 |
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Community Involvement: |
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Assorted papers |
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Awards and certificates received by Frazier |
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Ben Barnes for Governor |
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Assorted papers |
box |
2K50 |
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Photographs |
box |
2K52 |
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Newspaper clippings |
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Frazier’s Bid for Harris County Commissioner Seat, Precinct
1 |
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Brochures and programs |
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Correspondence |
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Muhammad Ali Testimonial dinner |
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Site Selection Committee for the 1992 Republican
Convention |
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Speeches |
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Publications collected by Frazier: |
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Wall Calendar, 1993 |
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Houston telephone directories |
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Magazines |
box |
2K52 |
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Newspaper articles written about Frazier |
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Ricky Bell clipping file |
box |
2.325/K79b |
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Agent & Manager,
June 1993 |
box |
2K51 |
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Assorted notes |
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Skipper Lee Frazier biographical information |
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Assorted personal legal documents |
Return to the Table of Contents
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Photographic materials |
box |
2K50 |
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Photographic prints: |
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Assorted photographs |
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Portraits and drawings of Skipper Lee Frazier |
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Juneteenth Blues Festival |
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Performances and musicians |
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Frazier with others |
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Candid photographs of Frazier |
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Photographic proofs |
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Promotional photographs collected by Frazier, unidentified;
A-Z |
box |
3Y37a |
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[restricted] Slides of musicians and
Frazier |
box |
3Z319b |
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[restricted] Negatives |
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Audio-visual materials: |
box |
2K53 |
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LPs: |
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Streets Will Love You, Clay
Hammond (2 copies) |
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The Boogie is Back, Big Joe
Nettles |
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For Ladies Only, Wildman Steve
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Party Freak, Sexy Rapper
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National Association of Recording Artists (NARA),
1965 |
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Baby Don’t Leave, Tony Warner
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Adventures in Negro History
"You Are So Special to Me," Chuck
Strong |
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The Last Request, Ben Branch
& The Operation Breadbasket Orchestra & Choir |
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I Am Serious About Your Love,
Quinn Golden |
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Shaft Soundtrack, Isaac
Hayes |
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B.B. King LP insert |
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Stax/Volt Revue Vol. 1, Live in London, LP sleeve (empty) |
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45s: |
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"Only Inside" & "Nothing Can Stop Me," TSU
Toronadoes |
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"Do You Really Love Me?"
& "By The Time I Get to
Phoenix," Masters of Soul |
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"I Need You" & "Count The Times," Masters of
Soul |
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Videotapes: |
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A Mountain of Soul: Skipper Lee
Frazier (a biographical feature on Frazier and the
"roasts and toasts" held in his honor)
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"Windsor Village Church/ Caldwell/ March
1986" |
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"This is America" music video/ Gary Reese,
April 1988 |
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"Silk Willie"/ Houston’s Funniest/ Bus Driver/ Demo
Tape |
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Willowridge Eagle Marching Band,
1990 |
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U-Matic videocassettes: |
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Dennis Edwards – "Aphrodisiac”" |
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Master—Austin, Bobby Womack "30 second
TV" |
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Dennis Edwards—"Don’t Look Any Further"
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Church service, Windsor Valley United Methodist
Church |
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"Venus Motel 30 sec. Houston Texas,
1/1983" |
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Bobby Womack Show—30 sec—Houston, TX—Dub |
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Audiocassettes: |
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"Q.T. Pie"/ "Dance To The Music," The
Wild Boyz |
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Juvembah Promotional Cassette |
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Face to Face With Comedy |
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"Marie" demo |
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"Sweet Love," Leslie Pete |
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Unlabeled audiocassette |
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"I Want to Test Drive Your Body"/ "I’m A Booty
Bandit," Forest Nelson |
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"Reach Out And Touch A Friend"/ "King
Jesus," Edwardo Dismuke |
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"Holler for Help," Gloria Edwards/ "Galveston
Sunrise," Nelson Mills III with Kathy Lawler |
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Instrumental (?) –Bert Lewis |
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Dellenor Miles demo |
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City Wide Club of Clubs |
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Calvin Owens (3 copies) |
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The Entertainer, Jearlin King |
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Cleo ‘C’ |
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"2 song"—Skipper Lee Frazier |
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"Original Mississippi Delta Blues/ Blind Lemon
Jefferson/ 1927" |
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"This Side" |
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Grady Gaines & The Texas Upsetters |
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Reel-to-reel: |
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Demo: Cut 1: "Baby Don’t Leave Me" |
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Cut 2: "If I Could Build My Whole World Around
You" |
box |
2.325/F772 |
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Restricted material: |
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[restricted until 2052] Financial
Documents |
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Frazier & Frazier Motel: |
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[restricted until 2049] Tax
Statements, 1973 – 1974 |
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[restricted until 2056] Texas
Employment Commission Quarterly Reports,
1980 |
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[restricted until 2050]
Payroll 1974 – 1975 |
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[restricted until 2058]
Transmittal of Returned Wage, 1983 |
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