Welcome to the Southern Music Research Center
The Southern Music Research Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization devoted to the documentation, preservation, and public presentation of the American South’s diverse music histories and ongoing forms of musical expression.
The real center of our Center is this website: a public archive of rare photos, rescued recordings, oral history interviews, and other materials. We encourage visitors to get to know our site by browsing our collections -- and to come back often, as we are actively acquiring and adding new material to the site.
You can support our mission and growth by making a financial contribution. To donate materials to the archive, please contact burgin@southernmusicresearch.org.
Featured Item
Industrial High School Band, 1920s

Bandleader John T. "Fess" Whatley stands at far left in the center row. Many of Whatley's students would go on to professional careers as jazz…
Featured Collection
Frank "Doc" Adams: Oral History Collection

From August 2009 to the spring of 2011, writer Burgin Mathews recorded over 150 hours of oral history interviews with jazz musician and educator Dr.…
Featured Exhibit
Magic City: How the Birmingham Jazz Tradition Shaped the Sound of America

The Southern Music Research Center celebrates the release of a new book from its founding director, Burgin Mathews. Magic City...
Recently Added Items
Johnson Family Full Radio Broadcast

Radio broadcast by the Johnson Family, 1950s. Transferred from a cassette recording of the original broadcast. Courtesy George Johnson.
Poster: Johnson Brothers String Band

Poster advertisement for the Johnson Brothers String Band, circa 1950s.
Courtesy George Johnson.
E. D. "Ras" and Ella Johnson Composition: "Our Baby"

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" and Ella Johnson composition, "Our Baby," dedicated to their niece Elizabeth, 1970.
"Elizabeth you are now…
E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition: "Melody of Memories"

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Melody of Memories," 1974.
Courtesy George Johnson.
E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition & Copyright Registration: "Don't Say Goodbye"

Original sheet music and copyright registration for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Don't Say Goodbye," 1951.
E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition: "You Just Keep On Hanging Around In My Heart"

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "You Just Keep On Hanging Around In My Heart," circa 1950s.
Courtesy George Johnson.
E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition: "Dancing with You"

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Dancing with You," circa 1950s.
Courtesy George Johnson.
E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition: "Raindrops"

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Raindrops," circa 1950s.
Courtesy George Johnson.
E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition: "Stars In Your Eyes"

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Stars In Your Eyes," circa 1950s.
Courtesy George Johnson.
Program: John Tuggle Whatley Elementary School

Program for Birmingham's John Tuggle Whatley Elementary School, named for the city's influential "Maker of Musicians," John T. "Fess" Whatley. Program…