Popular Entertainment

Elvis Presley Record

This Museum's popular entertainment collections hold some of the Smithsonian's most beloved artifacts. The ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in The Wizard of Oz reside here, along with the Muppet character Kermit the Frog, and props from popular television series such as M*A*S*H and All in the Family. But as in many of the Museum's collections, the best-known objects are a small part of the story.

The collection also encompasses many other artifacts of 19th- and 20th-century commercial theater, film, radio, and TV—some 50,000 sound recordings dating back to 1903; posters, publicity stills, and programs from films and performances; puppets; numerous items from World's Fairs from 1851 to 1992; and audiovisual materials on Groucho Marx, to name only a few.

Place: Tennessee

DeFord Bailey

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.
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
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.043
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.043

Mack Magaha

Mach Magaha (1929-2003) was a sought-after bluegrass fiddler. A member of Don Reno and Red Smiley's Tennessee Cut-Ups in the 1950s and 1960s, he next worked with Porter Wagoner for nearly twenty years.Currently not on view
Description
Mach Magaha (1929-2003) was a sought-after bluegrass fiddler. A member of Don Reno and Red Smiley's Tennessee Cut-Ups in the 1950s and 1960s, he next worked with Porter Wagoner for nearly twenty years.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1975
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.037
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.037

Stoney and Wilma Lee Cooper

The Coopers welcomed Henry Horestein in their home, a great example of the accessibility of stars just thirty years ago. Wilma Lee (Leigh Leary, b. 1921) and Stoney Cooper (Dale Troy, 1918-1977) ranked as one of the great husband-wife teams in country music.
Description
The Coopers welcomed Henry Horestein in their home, a great example of the accessibility of stars just thirty years ago. Wilma Lee (Leigh Leary, b. 1921) and Stoney Cooper (Dale Troy, 1918-1977) ranked as one of the great husband-wife teams in country music. Their musical careers helped to bridge older and newer styles.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1974
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.038
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.038

Bashful Brother Oswald

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.Currently not on view
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
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.048
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.048

Grant Turner

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.Currently not on view
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
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.056
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.056

Grandpa Jones and Ramona Jones

Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones (1913-1998) enjoyed a long, distinctive career in country music. At age 22, he began to play the Grandpa character, with his high-topped boots, bushy mustache, and suspenders. Ramona Riggins (b.
Description
Louis Marshall "Grandpa" Jones (1913-1998) enjoyed a long, distinctive career in country music. At age 22, he began to play the Grandpa character, with his high-topped boots, bushy mustache, and suspenders. Ramona Riggins (b. 1924), whom he later married, accompanied him on fiddle and mandolin. Appearing regularly on the Grand Ole Opry and the television show Hee Haw, Grandpa Jones became a well-known character with his banjo-playing, old-time stories, songs, and jokes.
Location
Currently not on view
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.047
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.047

Hank Snow

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.
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
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.054
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.054

“Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy”

This sheet music is for the song “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” that was written and composed by Harry Stone and Jack Stapp. Acuff-Rose Publications of Nashville, Tennessee published this sheet music in 1950.
Description (Brief)
This sheet music is for the song “Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy” that was written and composed by Harry Stone and Jack Stapp. Acuff-Rose Publications of Nashville, Tennessee published this sheet music in 1950. The cover has a woven background, and an inset image of Red Foley who recorded the song for Decca Records.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1950
recording artist
Foley, Red
publisher
Acuff-Rose Publications
ID Number
1983.0424.140
catalog number
1983.0424.140
accession number
1983.0424

House Band

The house band at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge played for tips and the hope that they might be heard by Tootsie's record producing patrons.Currently not on view
Description
The house band at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge played for tips and the hope that they might be heard by Tootsie's record producing patrons.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1974
print
2003
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.108
catalog number
2003.0169.108
accession number
2003.0169

Captain Marvel Adventures, No. 38

Captain Marvel Adventures issue number 38 was published by Fawcett Comics in August 1944 and sold for ten cents. The cover art by C. C. Beck features Captain Marvel fighting the villain "The Chatanooga Ghost" on the sky bridge in Rock City Gardens.
Description
Captain Marvel Adventures issue number 38 was published by Fawcett Comics in August 1944 and sold for ten cents. The cover art by C. C. Beck features Captain Marvel fighting the villain "The Chatanooga Ghost" on the sky bridge in Rock City Gardens. Captain Marvel first appeared in the February 1940 issue of Whiz Comics and his ensuing popularity resulted in his own title, Captain Marvel Adventures, in March 1941.
This issue contains Captain Marvel stories: “The Man Nobody Loved," "Down on the Farm," “The Chattanooga Ghost,” and "Mr Mind's Movie Madness." Other stories in the issue are “Captain Kid,” “Sergeant Sandy,” “Dopey Danny Dee,” and “Golden Soot.”
This issue contains four Captain Marvel stories including: “The Man Nobody Loved," "Down on the Farm," “The Chattanooga Ghost,” and "Mr Mind's Movie Madness." Other stories in the issue were “Captain Kid,” “Sergeant Sandy,” “Dopey Danny Dee,” and the short story “Golden Soot.”
By uttering the magic word “SHAZAM!” intrepid kid radio reporter Billy Batson would transform into Captain Marvel, bestowed with Solomon’s wisdom, Hercules’ strength, Atlas’s stamina, Zeus’s power, Achilles’ courage, and Mercury’s speed (an anagram of SHAZAM). In 1953, Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel after losing a 12-year legal battle with National Comics, who claimed Captain Marvel was an infringement on their Superman character.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1941
maker
Fawcett Publications, Inc.
ID Number
2013.0086.032
catalog number
2013.0086.032
accession number
2013.0086

Mickey Mouse Club lunch box used by Lonnie Burr

Mickey Mouse Club lunch box used by Mouseketeer Lonnie Burr. The white tin lunch box is decorated and embossed with Disney characters including Goofy, Mickey, Donald, Pluto, and Minnie Mouse.
Description (Brief)
Mickey Mouse Club lunch box used by Mouseketeer Lonnie Burr. The white tin lunch box is decorated and embossed with Disney characters including Goofy, Mickey, Donald, Pluto, and Minnie Mouse. Several different scenes are depicted on the lunch box, including Mickey boucing on a life net and building a house.
Lonnie Burr is an American entertainer best known for his work on the original 1955-1959 series run of the children’s television program The Mickey Mouse Club. Burr’s parents had worked in vaudeville as a dance team known as “Dot and Dash,” and Burr became a professional performer at five, working in television and radio. In 1955, he was hired by Walt Disney Studios to be one of the twenty four original cast members, called Mouseketeers, of the ABC network series The Mickey Mouse Club. A member of the show’s first string unit, the Red Team, Burr performed in comic sketches, musical numbers, and in the show’s Roll Call segment. After The Mickey Mouse Club ceased production in 1958, Burr worked as both an actor and director for the stage, motion pictures and television.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1963
referenced
Walt Disney Company
maker
Aladdin Industries Inc.
ID Number
2004.0298.08
accession number
2004.0298
catalog number
2004.0298.08

Stonewall Jackson

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.Currently not on view
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
print
2003
depicted (sitter)
Jackson, Stonewall
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.008
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.008

Milky White Way; Right John

CBS Trumpeteers. side 1: Milky White Way; side 2: Right John (Nashboro 641).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
CBS Trumpeteers. side 1: Milky White Way; side 2: Right John (Nashboro 641).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1959
recording artist
CBS Trumpeteers
arranger
Johnson, Joseph
manufacturer
Nashboro
ID Number
1996.0153.08691
catalog number
1996.0153.08691
label number
641
accession number
1996.0153

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