Music & Musical Instruments - Overview
The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Several of these rare instruments can be heard in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players and in other public programs. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the Museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician.
"Music & Musical Instruments - Overview" showing 22 items.
Page 1 of 3
Stonewall Jackson
- Description
- Named after his Civil War ancestor, Stonewall Jackson (b. 1932) began performing professionally in the 1950s. Thanks to tour with Ernest Tubb, Jackson had a string of hits from the late 1950s to the mid-1960s.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1972
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.008
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.008
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Roy Acuff
- Description
- Often called the King of Country Music, Roy Acuff (1903-1992) had a career as a performer and as the first publisher of country sheet music. His first break came with his recording of "The Great Speckled Bird" in 1936. In 1937 Acuff became a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry, and his relatonship with the Opry and its fans lasted for the rest of his life.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1973
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.041
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.041
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
DeFord Bailey
- Description
- Deford Bailey spent fifteen years as a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry (1926-1941). In that time he established himself as one of the show's most popular performers and an influential harmonica player. As a master of blues, jazz, and old-time country, Bailey was a vital link between older and more modern music styles. In 1974, he returned to the Opry stage as part of the "Old Timers' Reunion." He is most well-known for "Pan American Blues," a harmonica piece that sounds like a passing locomotive.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1973
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.043
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.043
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Lester Flatt
- Description
- Lester Flatt ranks as one of the all-time preeminent lead singers in bluegrass music. He spent the major years of his career, from 1948 to 1969, as half of the legendary team of Flatt & Scruggs, but also had some notable earlier experience as a sideman, including as a member of Bill Monroe's Blue Grass Boys, and led his own group in the 1970s. He regularly performed on the Grand Ole Opry and appeared often on the festival circuit.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1972
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.045
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.045
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Fiddlin' Sid Harkreader
- Description
- Sidney J. "Fiddlin' Sid" Harkreader (1898-1988) was well-known as the fiddler and vocalist who accompanied Uncle Dave Macon from the earliest days of the Grand Ole Opry.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1974
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.046
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.046
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Bashful Brother Oswald
- Description
- For nearly 60 years, Breecher Ray "Bashful Brother Oswald" Kirby (1911-2002) was one of the most influential and talented dobro players in country music.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1974
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.048
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.048
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Hank Snow
- Description
- Born Clarence Eugene Snow (1914-1999) and known as "The Singing Ranger," Hank Snow possessed one of the most distinctive voices and styles in country music. Rooted in the folk songs of his native Canada, Snow's music included the "blue yodels" of his idol Jimmie Rodgers, cowboy songs, Tin Pan Alley standards, and songs written by himself and other Nashville tunesmiths. In 1951, he and Anita Carter hit the record charts with "Bluebird Island" and its B-side, "Down the Trail of Achin' Hearts."
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1974
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.053
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.053
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Hank Snow
- Description
- With one of the most distinctive voices and styles in country music, Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow (1914-1999) enjoyed one of the most successful and long-running careers in the field. Born in Canada, he began recording in 1936. By the time Henry Horenstein photographed Hank Snow, the singer had recorded 840 songs.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1974
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.054
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.054
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Grant Turner
- Description
- Known to millions as both the "Voice" and the "Dean" of the Grand Ole Opry, Grant Turner (1912-1991) worked for WSM radio for nearly 50 years.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1972
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.056
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.056
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Stringbean
- Description
- Nationally known by the 1950s, "Stringbean" David Akeman (1915-1973) was a country comedian and exceptional banjo player. He is credited with reviving interest in the banjo in bluegrass and country music. He made his first banjo from a shoebox and string, and later went on to play with Bill Monroe's Band. Uncle Dave Macon mentioned Stringbean in classic jokes and traditional tunes, and was among the first Opry members to join the cast of Hee Haw. Publicity photographs in the background of this picture include Jean Shepherd, Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper, Stringbean himself, Bobby Lord, Bill Anderson, Flatt and Scruggs, the Browns, and the Four Guys.
- Location
- Currently not on view
- negative
- 1972
- 2003
- maker
- Horenstein, Henry
- ID Number
- 2003.0169.031
- accession number
- 2003.0169
- catalog number
- 2003.0169.031
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
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