Vern Hansen papers

Collection

Identifier: M201

Staff Only
Not requestable

Scope and Contents of the Papers

Correspondence, creative works, legal documents, and printed material, 1934-1939, 1951-1984, 1990-2009, document the career of author and songwriter Vern Hansen, especially his relationship with the songwriter Johnny Mercer, with whom he corresponded from 1955 until Mercer’s death in 1976. Included are nine Christmas Cards from the Mercer family, each with an annual poem written by Mercer. Hansen’s papers also include his writings on Mercer, correspondence with Mercer's widow, Ginger, and The Johnny Mercer Foundation, and legal records related to "Mistletoe Mountain," the song whose lyrics Mercer revised. Correspondence also shows Hansen's continuing efforts to interest music publishers and performers in the song. The papers include Hansen’s correspondence with singer Bing Crosby, from whom he also sought advice and assistance, and printed Christmas cards from and Hansen's writings about the composer and orchestra leader Duke Ellington. A file of photos, reminiscences, and clippings, 1934-1939, 1955, 1981, 2009, documents Hansen's musical career in the 1930s with banjoist Nick Wayne. Material related to Hansen’s other song compositions, as well as his spiritual writings, make up the rest of the papers.

Dates

Creation: 1934-1939, 1951-1984, 1990-2009

Creator

Hansen, Vern, 1918- (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.

Biographical Note about Vern Hansen

Vern (Vernon E.) Hansen (born March 17, 1918) described himself as having had "careers as a metallurgical analyst, broadcasting promotion specialist, Air Force Special Services officer, and an industrial advertising manager" as well as being an author and songwriter. Born in Nebraska but raised in Waterloo, Iowa, he performed in musical revues as a teenager and worked in broadcasting in the state, including at WMT in Cedar Rapids. For a number of years, he played guitar with the banjoist Nick Wayne (born Wayne Nickeson, 1909-1955) in a duo act. After his Air Corps service during the 1940s, he started to write songs seriously and struck up a correspondence with the songwriter Johnny Mercer (1909-1976). Mercer and singer Bing Crosby, with whom Hansen also corresponded, offered him both professional advice and practical assistance as he attempted to start a writing career in the music and motion picture industry. Mercer's editing of Hansen’s Christmas-themed song "Mistletoe Mansion" was among his last work as a lyricist. In the early 1960s, Hansen moved to the San Jose, California, area. He continued to compose songs and write lyrics, attempted to break into screenwriting, and wrote fiction. He published a number of pieces of journalism and the book, The Meaning of Dreams for Sleeping Man: A Helpful Guide to the Spiritual Meaning of Your Dreams (Trinity Center, Cal., 1994).

Extent

0.4 Linear Feet (in 1 box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

Vern Hansen (born March 17, 1918) worked as a musician and radio promotion specialist in Iowa, and moved to California in the 1960s. A songwriter and author, he corresponded with lyricist Johnny Mercer and singer Bing Crosby about his work and his efforts to succeed in the entertainment industry. His papers, 1934-1939, 1951-1984, 1990-2009, include correspondence, creative works, legal documents, and printed material. In addition to his correspondence with Mercer, much of the material pertains to Hansen's holiday song "Mistletoe Mansion," to which Mercer contributed lyrics. The collection also contains Hansen's writings on his early days as a musician, and on Mercer, Duke Ellington, and his spiritual interests.