Billy Carrier papers

Collection

Identifier: M032

Staff Only

Scope and Content of the Papers

The Billy Carrier papers contain fifty-seven photographs, including numerous images of the Swanee River Boys, as well as several of the cast members of the WSB "Barn Dance" program, The Vaughan Four, and The Landmark Quartet, another group of which Carrier was a member. These photographs are copies made from the originals. In the single folder of printed materials is a photocopy of a datebook in which the engagements of the Swanee River Boys from Thursday, March 7 [1935?] to Saturday, April 12 [1936?] are recorded. Carrier's scrapbooks, which chronicle his career in photographs, news clippings, magazine articles, and handbills, are on microfilm. A photocopy of a shapenote songbook, Favorites of the Swanee River Boys (Dallas: Stamps-Baxter Music, undated), has been transferred to the Songbook Collection. Two audio cassettes of the Swanee River Boys and one LP featuring Billy, Willene, and Larry Carrier make up the sound portion of this collection.

Dates

circa 1935-1957

Creator

Carrier, Billy (William S.) (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research use.

Terms Governing Use and Reproduction

Georgia State University is the owner of the physical collection and makes reproductions available for research, subject to the copyright law of the United States and item condition. Georgia State University may or may not own the rights to materials in the collection. It is the researcher's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and obtain permission from the copyright holder before publication, reproduction, or display of the materials beyond what is reasonable under copyright law. Researchers may quote selections from the collection under the fair use provision of copyright law.

Biography of Billy Carrier

Born June 16, 1913, near Arthur, Kentucky, William S. Carrier ("Billy") was a guitarist, later attending the James D. Vaughan School of Music in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee. Graduating in 1936, he performed in a quartet, the Vaughan Four, that later changed names, becoming the Swanee River Boys. The popular Swanee River Boys, playing white southern gospel as well as traditional folk songs and African-American spirituals, were featured on a variety of radio programs around the southeast. In 1941, the group was added to the already large roster of acts on the WSB "Barn Dance," broadcast from Atlanta. Carrier and the Swanee River Boys also broadcast on WBT in Charlotte, North Carolina, WLW in Cincinnati, Ohio, Purina Feed Company's "Checkerboard Time," and Western Auto's "Circle Arrow Show." In 1947, the Swanee River Boys took second place on the NBC Radio talent show "The Big Break." In 1952, Carrier left the Swanee River Boys, but he continued to perform in the Landmark Church Quartet until May 1956.

Billy Carrier and his wife Willene Daniel Carrier were married in 1941. The couple had five children. Carrier's brother Joseph, known as Cotton (circa 1919-1994), also became a well-known country musician and emcee for WSB Radio's "Barn Dance."

Further information on William S. Carrier can be found in: Wayne Daniel, "We Had to be Different to Survive: Billy Carrier Remembers the Swanee River Boys," JEMF Quarterly 65-66 (in the Ephemera file, Popular Music Collection).

Extent

0.42 Linear Feet (in 4 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

William S. Carrier ("Billy") was a guitarist and member of the popular Swanee River Boys, playing white southern gospel as well as traditional folk songs and African-American spirituals. In 1941, the group joined WSB Radio's "Barn Dance," broadcast from Atlanta. In 1952, Carrier left the Swanee River Boys, but he continued to perform in the Landmark Church Quartet until May 1956. His papers contain fifty-seven photographs and a photocopy of a datebook recording Swanee River Boys engagements, and scrapbooks on microfilm.

Acquisition Information

Donated by William S. ("Billy") Carrier, August 1984 (M1984-18).

Separated Materials:

During processing various materials were separated to other Popular Music and Culture Collections. Please contact Special Collections for access.

Popular Music Sound Recordings Collection

The Carriers, featuring Billy, Willene, and Larry Carrier (Temple Records 363) [Phonodisc: M84-18/1]
Side 1. Swanee River Boys, Abner Family Reunion Side 2. The Carriers (not on the album) [Audio cassette: M84-18/2]
Checkerboard Time, Swanee River Boys [Audio cassette: M84-18/3]