Mercer Family History, 1808-2001

The materials of this series comprise Gene Lees' research for his book, Portrait of Johnny: the life of John Herndon Mercer. These materials include: Mercer family history, Johnny Mercer biographical and professional information, copies of correspondence from Johnny Mercer to his family, and various news clippings, magazine articles and song notes that Lees referred to in the writing of his book. Included in this series is one undated, black and white photograph of a young Johnny Mercer and the musician and dance-band leader Jimmy Dorsey. Of particular interest are: correspondence between Lees and Mercer's relatives, friends and colleagues; a chapter from a book written (but later abandoned) by Steve Allen about Johnny Mercer and songwriting; and oral histories conducted by Lees. The oral history transcripts were among the files on two computer discs labeled "Lees Mercer bio sources." Georgia State University Special Collections staff printed all items on the discs.