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2011.025. Bob Wills Collection, 1935-2001
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Language: English
Collection Summary
Administrative Information
Mix of some originals and some copies.
Courtesy of the Oklahoma Historical Society
Bob Wills Collection, Oklahoma Historical Society Research Division
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
format M2011.025. Manuscripts, 1935-2010
Wills, Carolyn
Administrative Information
Both originals and duplicative copies.
The Bob Wills Collection contains materials acquired from the Bob Wills Estate and the Bob Wills Museum of Turkey, Texas.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
Index Terms
box 1. Bob Wills Estate materials, 1946-2010
Administrative Information
Container List
Folder 1. "A Ride with Bob" musical program and ticket 2010 July 17, 2010 July 17.
Folder 2. Grammy Awards, Lifetime Achievement Award event materials and publicity packet 2006-2007, 2006-2007.
Folder 3. Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame letter and publicity upon inducting Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys 2001, 2001.
Folder 4. United States postal stamp featuring Bob Wills, envelopes and commemorative cards from first day of issue 1993 September 25, 1993 September 25.
Folder 5. Memphis Chamber of Commerce 55th Annual Banquet, awarding of the first Bob Wills medal. Banquet programs and metal fact sheet 1975 April 4, 1975 April 4.
Folder 6. Texas House Resolution no.160 honoring Bob Wills 1975 May 15, 1975 May 15.
Folder 7. Letter to Bob Wills from David Tolbert, KBOX radio in Dallas Texas. Includes tribute poem to Wills 1975 June 3, 1975 June 3.
Folder 8. Letters to Bob Wills regarding appearances and interviews 1967, 1967.
Folder 9. Bob Wills Stampede souvenir programs 1943 1948 1963, 1943 1948 1963.
Folder 10. Postcard ticket to Bob Wills concert in Oakland, California 1946 May 7, 1946 May 7.
Folder 11. Flyers for Bob Wills events various dates, business card for Joe Galbreath, various.
Folder 12. Sheet music: Songbook, 1942, Beautiful Texas by W. Lee O'Daniel 1933, There's a Big Rock in the Road by Fred Rose 1946, Stars & Stripes on Iwo Jima by Bob Wills and Cliff Johnson 1945.
Folder 13. Songbooks: The Aberback Group presents All Time Greats vol.1 1964, Songs from San Antone featured by Bob Wills 1946 (signed on back cover), The Roundup of the Century Bob Wills song book 1942, Song Souvenirs Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys 1976.
Folder 14. Bob Wills Days bumper stickers n.d.
Folder 15. "My Years with Bob Wills" book jacket.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
box 2. Publicity and letters, 1940-1975
Administrative Information
Container List
Folder 1. Playboy flour sack, n.d., n.d.
Folder 2. Playboy flour advertisement featuring an image of the Texas Playboys are recipes, n.d., n.d.
Folder 3. Tickets to Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys events and performances 4 ct. 1940 / 1970, 1940 / 1970.
Folder 4. Letters to Bob Wills, professional 1947-1973, 1947-1973.
Folder 5. Letters to Bob Wills, personal 1968-1973, 1968-1973.
Folder 6. Publicity, various dates.
Folder 7. Musicians Protective Association roster, Tulsa Ok 1947, 1947.
Folder 8. Letter to Betty Wills from Bob Wills 1947, 1947.
Folder 9. Telegrams to Bob Wills in California 1951, 1951.
Folder 10. Sam Gibbs Orchestra Service, Bob Wills musicians contract 1968, 1968.
Folder 11. Bob Wills television contract, Country Music Awards show 1968, 1968.
Folder 12. Bob Wills Stampede, souvenir program Tulsa, Ok 1941, 1941.
Folder 13. Jonnie Lee Wills Stampede, souvenir program Tulsa, Ok 1944-1947 / 1953-1954, 1944-1947 / 1953-1954.
Folder 14. "Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys" advertisement for The Harry Peebles Agency, showcasing Bob Wills and other performers [c.1943], [c.1943].
Folder 15. Advertisement for Bob Wills release of the song, "Southwestern Waltz" [c.1969], [c.1969].
Folder 16. "A Musical Tribute to Bob Wills" souvenir program signed by performers, Tulsa, Ok 1970 January, 1970 January 18.
Folder 17. Scrapbook from Country Music Awards banquet, Bob Wills received the Special Award 1974, 1974.
Folder 18. National Cowboy Hall of Fame & Western Heritage Center, 15th Annual Western Heritage Awards program 1975 May 3, 1975 May 3.
Folder 19. Oklahoma Senate Resolutions declaring Bob Wills Day and honoring Wills 1970 / 1985, 1970 / 1985.
Folder 20. Proclamations from the Mayors of Ft. Worth Texas and Tulsa Oklahoma honoring Wills 1972 / 1957, 1972 / 1957.
Folder 21. Official Memorandums from Governors Preston Smith and Dolph Briscoe of Texas honoring Wills 1972 / 1973, 1972 / 1973.
Folder 22. Texas House of Representatives Resolution honoring Wills 1975, 1975.
Folder 23. Certificates presented to Wills from various dignitaries and municipalities 1957-1986, 1957-1986.
Folder 24. Sheet music, songs written or performed by Bob Wills: Little Cowboy Lullaby by Bob Wills and Cindy Walker 1948, Stars and Stripes on Iwo Jima by Bob Wills and Cliff Johnsen 1945, My Confession by Bob Wills 1942, Spanish Two-Step music by Bob Wills words by Tommy Duncan 1942, You Don't Care What Happens to Me by Fred Rose 1945, Roly Poly by Fred Rose 1946, San Antonio Rose by Bob Wills 1940.
Folder 25. Songbooks: Songs from San Antone featured by Bob Wills 1946 2 ct, The Roundup of the Century Bob Wills songbook 1942.
Folder 26. Hee Haw television show advertisement featuring Merle Haggard n.d., n.d.
Folder 27. Advertisements for sale of sheet music and books, various dates.
Folder 28. Post card advertisements featuring Bob Wills, undated.
Folder 29. Bob Wills Ranch House menu, Dallas Texas n.d., n.d.
Folder 30. Merle Haggard Show backstage pass n.d., n.d.
Folder 31. Texas Playboy's Newsletter and advertisement for the Bob Wills Museum, 1985.
Folder 32. Condolence letters, Picture of Bob and his father, and a letter from Betty to her aunt Pearl, 1975, 1915, 1946.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
box 3. Event Materials and publicity
Administrative Information
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
box 4. Sign-in sheets from Bob Wills Museum in Turkey, Texas & Books
Administrative Information
Container List
Bound volume American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Biographical Dictionary 4th Edition, 1980. Featuring entry on Bob (James Robert) Wills, page 546.
Bound volume The Halls of Fame: featuring specialized museums of Sports, Agronomy, Entertainment and the Humanities, edited by Thomas C. James 1977. Featuring entry on Bob Wills for his place in the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville page 400.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
box 4A. Biographical Dictionary, 1980
Administrative Information
Container List
Folder 1. ASCAP Biographical Dictionary - 4th Edition, Bob Wills Entry on Pg. 546.
Released on 2011-08-16.
oversize box 5. Magazines, 1942-1976
Administrative Information
Container List
Item 1. Billboard Magazine, April 25, 1942.
Item 2. Billboard Magazine, May 23, 1942.
Item 3. Billboard Magazine, July 11, 1942.
Item 4. Billboard Magazine, March 2, 1968.
Item 5. Billboard Magazine, September 13, 1975.
Item 6. Billboard Magazine, September 20, 1975.
Item 7. Dallas Times Herald- Sunday insert July 25, 1976.
Item 8. Country Billboard May 1975.
Item 9. ASCAP Today Spring 1975.
Item 10. Buddy June 1975.
Item 11. Country Music December 1975.
Item 12. Country Music June 1973.
Item 13. Country Music September 1975.
Item 14. Band Leaders November 1945.
Item 15. Accent West April 1976.
Item 16. K-BUC Country January 1968.
Item 17. Country Music Reporter July 1971.
Item 18. Time Magazine May 26, 1975.
Item 19. Newsweek Magazone May 26, 1975.
Item 20. Record Research October 1966.
Item 21. Record Research November 1966.
Item 22. Record Research July 1969.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
oversize box 6. Album covers and posters, 1945-1973
Administrative Information
Container List
Folder 1. 15 album covers from various vinyl releases by Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys.
Folder 2. 4 oversized certificates issed to Bob Wills for musical achievements.
Folder 3. 5 cardboard event broadsides, Bob Wills Day in Turkey, Texas 1973 (2 copies), Bob Wills Ranch House Broadcast advertisement, "A Tornado in the Saddle" movie advertisement, partial movie advertisement.
Folder 4. Ann Miller magazine article.
Folder 5. Album cover proof: Fathers and Sons: Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys and Alseep at the Wheel, 1974.
Folder 6. Commendation from the Governor of Oklahoma.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
oversize box 7. Scrapbooks, 1925-1993
Administrative Information
Container List
Item 1. Scrapbook assembled by Betty Wills, contains newspaper clippings and event programs & publicity for Bob Will's appearances and honors. Includes some correspondence to Wills. 1935-1993 22 oversized pages.
Item 2. Scrapbook assembled by Betty Wills, contains newspaper clippings and event programs & publicity for Bob Will's appearances and honors. 1941-1986 24 oversized pages.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
oversize box 8. Newspapers, 1972-1986
Administrative Information
These items were acquired from the Bob Wills Estate
Container List
Item 1. Ft. Worth Star Telegram, full issue May 14, 1975.
Item 2. Ft. Worth Star Telegram, full issue December 8, 1977.
Item 3. The Tulsa Tribune, full issue May 14, 1975.
Item 4. Dallas Times Herald, partial July 23, 1973.
Item 5. Dallas Times Herald, partial March 6, 1988.
Item 6. The Houston Chronicle, partial August 3, 1978.
Item 7. Picking Up the Tempo, full issue August 1975 (6 copies).
Item 8. Buddy, full issue June 1975.
Item 9. Dallas Ft.Worth Phonograph (entertainment insert) March 1974.
Item 10. Rolling Stone, full issue October 26, 1972.
Item 11. Rolling Stone, full issue June 5, 1975.
Item 12. Rolling Stone, full issue October 10, 1974.
Item 13. Houston Post Magazine, full issue May 4, 1986.
Item 14. Country Billboard, full issue June 1975.
Item 15. OK Magazine, full issue August 3, 1986 (2 copies).
Item 16. Dallas Morning News: Dallas Life (entertainment insert) August 22, 1982.
Item 17. album insert booklet- Homecoming... 1974.
Item 18. Dallas Times-Hearld 1975/05/16.
Item 19. Tulsa Daily World 1975/05/14.
Item 20. Fort Worth Star-Telegram 1975/05/14.
Item 21. Fort Worth Star-Telegram 1975/05/14.
Item 22. Rolling Stone 1975/06/19.
Item 23. Fort Worth Star-Telegram 1972/03/08.
Item 24. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1972/03/04.
Item 25. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1972/01/21.
Item 26. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1972/03/07.
Item 27. Fort Worth Press, 1972/03/07.
Item 28. Fort Worth Press, 1972/03/02.
Item 29. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1973/12/06.
Item 30. The Press, 1972/09/24.
Item 31. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1975/05/15.
Item 32. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1975/05/14.
Item 33. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1976/01/18.
Item 34. The Houston Post, 1979/04/26.
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
oversize box 9. Scrapbooks, 1940-1973
Administrative Information
3 volumes, containing newspaper clippings, ephemera from performances, advertisements, and some photographs all pertaining to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys musical careers.
Released on 2012-03-29.
oversize box 10. Scrapbook, 1935-1949
Administrative Information
1 volume, containing newspaper clippings, ephemera from performances, advertisements, and some photographs all pertaining to Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys musical careers. Some pages are loose.
Released on 2012-03-29.
flat file 1. Posters, 1994-2010
Administrative Information
Container List
Poster 1. Bob Wills Estate poster, 36"x22" copyright 1994.
Poster 2. "A Ride With Bob" musical poster, 23"x18" 2010.
Poster 3. Bob Wills Day Turkey, Texas poster, 22"x18" 2009.
Poster 4. "Bob Wills' Day Turkey Texas the last Saturday in April" bumper sticker, 3.25:x11.25".
Poster 5. "Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys" event poster, MAy 11, 1941 at the Tulsa Civic Center, includes black & white photographic image of Wills, 19"x12".
Poster 6. "Bob Wills Day" event poster, April 28, 2007 includes daily schedule, 22.5"x17.5".
Poster 7. "Bob Wills Day" event poster April 24, 1993 22"x14".
Poster 8. "Bob Wills Day, Live from Turkey, Texas" promotional poster for sale of live recording from 1983 Bob Wills Day celebration. Includes track listing, full color, 26"x13".
Poster 9. "What about Bob" event poster for Bob Wills Day April 30, 1994. 17.5"x13".
Poster 10. "Take me back to Turkey" event poster Bob Wills Day April 25, 1998 23"x17.5".
Accession No. 2011.25.1.
Released on 2011-03-28.
oversize box 11. Newspapers, 1969-2003
Administrative Information
Container List
Item 1. Country Style Newspaper, 1976/06.
Item 2. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1975/05/04.
Item 3. Picking up the Tempo: A Country Western Journal, 1975/08/10.
Item 4. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1975/06/27.
Item 5. Star-Telegram, 2003/04/27.
Item 6. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1973/02/25.
Item 7. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1973/02/25.
Item 8. The Fort Worth Press, 1975/01/12.
Item 9. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1975/05.
Item 10. The Press, 1975/05/14.
Item 11. Fort Worth Star Telegram, 1975/05/16.
Released on 2012-12-20.
oversize folder 1. "Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys" Tulsa Civic Center, May 11 1941