Tex Forman papers

Collection

Identifier: M037

Staff Only
Not requestable

Scope and Content of the Papers

The printed materials consist of: a collection of photocopies of fifteen songbooks containing various country, cowboy, and gospel songs; six oversize handbills; and four folders of printed materials relating to "Tex" Forman's career in country music. The first of these folders contains original copies of handbills dating from the late 1930s and 1940s that advertise shows featuring groups of which Forman was a member. Enclosed in the second folder are photocopies of clippings, handbills, and journal articles documenting Forman's professional activities. The third folder contains a partial copy of an advertisement read on KTBS-KWKH radio in the 1940s. Photocopies of several songs and lyrics by various songwriters are found in the fourth folder.

The twenty-eight images that form the non-print portion of these papers are mainly photographs of Tex Forman with members of the various groups of which he was a member, or of other individuals and groups that were active in country music. The last image is a photograph of a handbill advertising "A Big Radio Jamboree," a presentation from KWKH, Shreveport. All the images are copies made from Forman's originals.

Dates

Creation: 1939-1984
Creation: Majority of material found within 1939 - 1949

Creator

Forman, Tex (Otho Woodrow) (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 Tex Forman

Otho Woodrow "Tex" Forman was born in Pargon, Kentucky, on September 15, 1915. In 1931, Forman worked his own show, "The Sixteen-Year-Old Hillbilly," on WMAN Radio in Mansfield, Ohio, singing and playing guitar and harmonica. Later he worked as a member of several country bands, including Reedy Reed, the Prairie Pals, the Pine Ridge Boys and the Ohio Valley Boys. In Atlanta, Forman was known as one of Pop Eckler's bandmates, appearing as part of Pop Eckler and His Young'Uns on WSB's "Cross Roads Follies" show in 1936. In 1937, Forman won a national yodeling contest at the Atlanta City Auditorium.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (in 5 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Originally from Kentucky, Otho Woodrow "Tex" Forman worked as a member of several country bands. In Atlanta, Forman was known as one of Pop Eckler's bandmates, appearing as part of Pop Eckler and His Young'Uns on WSB's "Cross Roads Follies" show in 1936. His papers contain twenty-eight photographs and photocopies of songbooks and lyrics, handbills, and articles.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Tex Forman, March 5, 1985 (M1985-02).

Related Archival Materials

The Popular Music and Culture Collection includes numerous photographs that have been digitized and are available online in Georgia State University Library Digital Collections.

Separated Materials:

During processing, photocopied songbooks were cataloged and added to the Special Collections Books. Please consult Catalog for access.

Songbooks Separated to University Library Catalog

Awakening Praises
Bobby Gregory's Jumbo 3 in 1 Folio
Favorite Gospel Songs
Floyd Tillman and Lew Childre's Album of Songs
New Songs of the Old Faith
Old Time Ballads and Cowboy Songs
Radio and Revival Special
Redemption Songs
Renfro Valley Hymn Book
Songs of Grace
Songs of Grace and Glory
Songs of the Soil
Spiritual Life Songs
Untitled Religious (2)

Bibliography

For further information on Forman, see:

Daniel, Wayne. "Tex Foreman [sic] and Curley Collins Remember Pop Eckler and His Young'Uns," JEMF Quarterly XVI/59 (in the Ephemera file, Popular Music Collection).