Art Galbraith (1909-1993), Papers, 1977-1993 (C1213)

.1 linear feet, 2 record albums, 1 audio cassette

INTRODUCTION

Papers of Art Galbraith, a fiddler from southwestern Missouri, who played folk music from the Ozarks. The papers consist of publicity, concert programs and advertisements, obituaries, correspondence, awards, and recordings of his music.

DONOR INFORMATION

The Art Galbraith Papers were donated to the University of Missouri by Art Galbraith on 19 July 1990 (Accession No. 4965), and 7 November 1991 (Accession No. 5111). After his death additions to the papers were made by his wife on 18 May 1993 (Accession No. 5292), 3 December 1993 (Accession No. 5380), and 8 March 1994 (Accession No. 5407).

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

Art Galbraith was born on 17 April 1909 near the James River in Greene County, Missouri. He came from a long line of Scotch and Scotch-Irish fiddlers. Galbraith began learning to play the fiddle at age ten, watching and listening to others.

Galbraith graduated from Southwest Missouri State Teachers College with honors in English and taught for four years before joining the postal service. He continued to play at barn dances, dance parties, and other social events.

In 1976 he met guitarist and folklorist Gordon McCann. With McCann as his accompanist, Galbraith produced two record albums: "Dixie Blossoms" and "Simple Pleasures." The pair toured the region extensively and also performed at prominent folk festivals around the country.

Galbraith was actively involved with the National and Missouri State Old-Time Fiddlers Associations and the Missouri Traditional Arts and Apprenticeship Program. He died following a stroke on 3 January 1993.

SCOPE AND CONTENT NOTE

The Art Galbraith Papers consist of correspondence, publicity, concert programs and advertisements, obituaries, and awards as well as recordings of his music. They document the efforts of Galbraith to keep alive the traditions and lore of the Ozarks through its music.

The publicity shows especially well how important Galbraith's music was to the region. These papers also describe his efforts to pass on his music to younger generations through the apprenticeship program. The papers are arranged alphabetically by type of material and chronologically thereunder.

FOLDER LIST

f. 1Awards, 1989-1991
f. 2Correspondence, 1988-1991
f. 3 Programs and Advertisements, 1979-1986
f. 4Programs and Advertisements, 1988-1992
f. 5Publicity, 1977-1985
f. 6Publicity, 1986-1989
f. 7Publicity, 1991-1993
f. 8Publicity Packet, c.1984
a.c. 1Arthur Galbraith Tribute, "Seldom Heard Music," KSMU-FM Radio, 9 January 1993
rec. 1"Dixie Blossoms"
rec. 2"Simple Pleasures"

INDEX TERMS

These index terms are the subjects, people, places, etc. under which this collection is listed in all available indexes at the Western Historical Manuscript Collection-Columbia. If you are interested in a specific index term, please contact the reference staff.

  • Fiddlers
  • Folk music
  • Galbraith, Art
  • Galbraith, Margaret
  • James H. Woods & Company, Columbia, MO
  • Merchants
  • Missouri, Columbia
  • Payne, A.M.
  • Prices