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Katherine Smith collection on Claude Davis

 Collection
Identifier: M106

Scope and Content of the Collection

The manuscript portion of the Katherine Smith Collection consists of two letters relating to the Carolina Tarheels, two newsclippings featuring photographs of the Carolina Tarheels and the Cannon Mills String Band, and two song sheets (one devoted to song hits of the Carolina Tarheels, and another entitled "Zangara's Fate"). Neither song sheet includes music; one bears a photograph of the Tarheels and the other includes a photograph of Claude W. Dennis, aka "Claude Davis."

Also included in this collection is a printed songbook bearing the copyright date of 1931. The photographs include images of Claude Dennis, the Tarheels, and other country music musicians.

Dates

  • Creation: 1932, undated

Creator

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

Claude W. Dennis was born in Salisbury, North Carolina on February 25, 1895. Although he had no formal musical training, he both sang and played the fiddle, piano, guitar and mandolin. His stage name was "Claude Davis." He apparently performed with a group known as the Cannon Mills String Band, which reportedly was founded in 1908 and lasted several years. He wrote songs and performed on a number of recordings between 1928 and 1932. In the 1930s he was a member of the Carolina Tarheels, a group that pursued an active performing career on radio and on stage in the Southeast.

Mrs. Katherine Smith is the daughter of Esther Goodman, who was the step-daughter of Claude Dennis.

Extent

0.2 Linear Feet (in 4 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract:

Claude Davis (born Claude W. Dennis, 1895) was a country musician and singer. In the 1930s he was a member of the Carolina Tarheels, a group that pursued an active performing career on radio and on stage in the Southeast. The Katherine Smith Collection contains correspondence, newsclippings, song sheets, and photographs relating to Claude Davis.

Off-Site Storage

Collection is stored offsite. Allow at least 2 working days for retrieval.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Katherine Smith, April 3, 1990 (M1990-05).

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

Popular Music Songbooks -- Please consult Catalog for Access

  1. Walter Peterson Sensational Collection of Mountain Ballads and Old Time Songs

Bibliography

Further information on Claude Dennis and the Carolina Tarheels may be found in:
  • Daniel, Wayne, "Claude Davis, Hoke Rice, Curly Fox and Those Other Carolina Tarheels," Bluegrass Unlimited, November 1991: 35-39.

Processing Information

Processed by Christopher Ann Paton and Christine de Catanzaro at the file level, October 29, 1990.

Subject

Title
Katherine Smith:
Subtitle
A Guide to Her Collection on Claude Davis at Georgia State University Library
Status
Completed
Author
Georgia State University Library
Date
29 October 1990
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
100 Decatur St., S.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-413-2880
404-413-2881 (Fax)