Country Music Souvenir Song Book and Photo Album Collection

This collection consists of printed country music photo albums and souvenir song books - often called "song folios" - from the United States dating from 1930 to 1950. Published primarily by performers as a source of extra money, the books contain photographs and biographical information as well as lyrics to songs. Some were published by radio stations or companies sponsoring the performers' programs.



Musical genres and song styles represented include comedy songs, country songs, cowboy songs, gospel songs, hymns, minstrel songs, popular songs, traditional ballads, and spirituals. With the exception of those of the Carter Family, Roy Acuff, and possibly Clayton McMichen, these publications document several of the able, but lesser known performers, who made few, if any, commercial recordings but achieved substantial regional popularity through performing on radio and at community venues such as movie theaters, school auditoriums, churches, and county fairs.