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.

Recently Added Items

Johnson Family Full Radio Broadcast

put your hands on your hips!.mp3

Radio broadcast by the Johnson Family, 1950s. Transferred from a cassette recording of the original broadcast. Courtesy George Johnson.

Poster: Johnson Brothers String Band

Johnson Family Poster (2).jpg

Poster advertisement for the Johnson Brothers String Band, circa 1950s.

Courtesy George Johnson.

E. D. "Ras" and Ella Johnson Composition: "Our Baby"

Our Baby.jpg

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"

Melody of Memories.jpg

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"

Don't Say Goodbye 1.jpg

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"

Johnson You Just Keep On Hanging Around 1.jpg

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"

Johnson Dancing With You 1.jpg

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Dancing with You," circa 1950s.

Courtesy George Johnson.

E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition: "Raindrops"

Johnson Raindrops 1.jpg

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Raindrops," circa 1950s.

Courtesy George Johnson.

E. D. "Ras" Johnson Composition: "Stars In Your Eyes"

Johnson Stars In Your Eyes 1.jpg

Original sheet music for E. D. "Ras" Johnson composition, "Stars In Your Eyes," circa 1950s.

Courtesy George Johnson.

Program: John Tuggle Whatley Elementary School

Whatley School 1.jpg

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