Singin' Sam Agins papers, 1919-1996

Overview of the Collection

Title
Singin' Sam Agins papers
Dates
1919-1996 (inclusive)
Quantity
10 boxes, (6 linear feet)
Collection Number
UUS_COLL MSS 230
Summary
This collection contains the papers of Sam Agins in the form of correspondence, publications, music papers, and various personal effects, including a Stetson hat and other cowboy memorabilia.
Repository
Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections and Archives Division
Special Collections & Archives
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
Logan, UT
84322-3000
Telephone: 4357978248
Fax: 4357972880
scweb@usu.edu
Access Restrictions

Open to public research.

Languages
English.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

"Singin" Sam Agins was born in Denver, Colorado on June 4, 1919 and died in Sun City, Arizona on March 28, 1996. Agins is best known as an American folk singer that learned to play the fiddle and guitar in his youth. Though limited to the use of crutches or a wheelchair for mobility, Agins became an inspiration for many who attended his concerts. During the 1940s and 1950s he entertained disabled youth, veterans, and children in hospitals, acting as Ambassador of Goodwill Industries. Other groups treated to Agins' talents included prisoners in New Mexico and guests at ranches in the Rocky Mountain West.

Not only a musician but a lyricist and collector of others' lyrics, Agins wrote, collected, and recorded songs throughout his life and established his own recording company, Haywire, in the 1970s, He numbered among his friends the Mexican and American cowboys, as well as hobos ("gentlemen of the highways") who shared their songs and stories with him. His other writings included an autobiography, 3 Dimes and a Button, and several plays, poems, magazine articles, news columns, and a photo essay called Round Legs.

Agins was not only a musician and writer but also a multitalented craftsman. His interest in American folk culture probably started in California where, as a boy, he learned to train horses and grew adept at rope work, and silver and goldsmithing.

Singin' Sam's career took him all over the Rocky Mountain West where he gave concerts and taught classes about folk singing at the University of Wyoming and at other institutions in Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona. He represented the United States in the 1976 Smithsonian Institution's Montreal Expo and served as an expert on early American folk songs in Washington, D.C. In the 1970s and 1980s, Agins participated in the Festival of the American West and the Western Writer's Conferences held in Logan, Utah.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

This collection contains the papers of Sam Agins in the form of correspondence, publications, music papers, various personal effects, including a Stetson hat and other cowboy memorabilia.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Restrictions on Use

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Singin' Sam Agins papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Preferred Citation

Singin' Sam Agins papers, 1919-1996. (COLL MSS 230) Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Arrangement

Organized in five series: I. Correspondence; II. Autobiography; III. Music; IV. Miscellaneous Writings; V. Newspaper Clippings, Smithsonian Tours, Memorabilia, Miscellaneous, Obituaries.

The Sam Agins collection is contained in ten manuscript and storage boxes. Arrangement of the collection is topical and chronological. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent; the name of the correspondent's business, company, or organization is listed with the name. News clippings are arranged chronologically by folders, each representing a decade. All other items are arranged topically under general titles such as "Music" for any items relating to Agins' musical career.

Acquisition Information

Donated by Frederica Agins in 1996.

Separated Materials

Photographs removed to the Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection (P0134).

Books removed to the Sam Agins book collection (Folk Collection 30).

Cassette tapes removed to the Sam Agins cassette tape collection (Folk Collection 30a).

Records removed to the Sam Agins commercial record collection (Folk Collection 30b).

Videotapes removed to the Sam Agins commercial video and beta collection (Folk Collection 30c).

Reel-to-reel tapes removed to the Sam Agins commercial reel-to-reel collection (Folk Collection 30d).

An oil portrait of Agins by John H. Wadell and six ink drawings of Johnny Hampton were removed to the art and artifacts collection in Special Collections and Archives.

Related Materials

  • Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection (P0134)
  • Sam Agins book collection (Folk Collection 30)
  • Sam Agins cassette tape collection (Folk Collection 30a)
  • Sam Agins commercial record collection (Folk Collection 30b)
  • Sam Agins commercial video and beta collection (Folk Collection 30c)
  • Sam Agins commercial reel-to-reel collection (Folk Collection 30d)
  • Art and artifacts collection

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

Correspondence, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
1 1
Agins, Sam
undated
1 2
Allen, Annette
undated
1 3
Applebaum, Irwyn - Bantam Books Inc., Westerns Editor
undated
1 4
Atkins, Robert M. - San Bernardino Air Service Command
undated
1 5
Back, Joe and Mary - Big Elk Studio
undated
1 6
Ball, Gene - Buffalo Bill Historical Center
undated
1 7
Barton, Walter C. - War Department, Mira Loma, California
undated
1 8
Beckers, Karen - CBS News
undated
1 9
Beedle, Steve - BC Productions Cinematography
undated
1 10
Berke, Ernest
undated
1 11
Bluemel, C.S. - Mount Airy Sanitarium
undated
1 12
Bowen, Lois
undated
1 13
Brabham, Robert E. - National Rehabilitation Association, Executive Director
undated
1 14
Bush, Cy - The White House
undated
1 15
Bushinger, Mary B. - University of Colorado, Medical Center
undated
1 16
Campbell, James K. - Colorado Agricultural and Mechanical College
undated
1 17
Carollo, M.T. - Cochise County Library
undated
1 18
Carrington, Mary - Smithsonian Institution
undated
1 19
Chaikin, Hank - Yavapai College
undated
1 20
Chambers, Becki - Western Music Association
undated
1 21
Churchill, James F. - Santa Rosa Junior College
undated
1 22
Cohen, Norm - Western Folklore
undated
1 23
Cohen, Stu - The Music Emporium
undated
1 24
Collins, Peggy - Western Music Association, Festival Director
undated
1 25
Conway, R. John Jr. - KAZM
undated
1 26
Curtiss, Lou - San Diego State University Folk Festival
undated
1 27
Dale, Al - Pickin Publications, Editor
undated
1 28
Davidson, Levette J. - University of Denver
undated
1 29
Davis, Ron - Southern Methodist University
undated
1 30
Doherty, Thomas B. - Colorado Springs Public Schools
undated
1 31
Einhorn, Nathan R. - Library of Congress, Chief, Exchange and Gift Division
undated
1 32
Eusebius, Rev. Father - Penitentiary of New Mexico
undated
1 33
Faigan, Zelda - World Affairs Council of Phoenix, Inc.
undated
1 34
Fenwick, Red - The Denver Post
undated
1 35
Ferraccio, Patrick J. - Tumbleweed Publications, Competition Chairman
undated
1 36
Fife, Austin E. - Utah State Univeristy, Fife Western Folklore Archive
undated
1 37
Flannery, Ruth - American National Red Cross
undated
1 38
Flemming, Linda
undated
1 39
Foster, Jane - Marble Canyon Lodge
undated
1 40
Garvey, Madeline W.
undated
1 41
Gating, Myrl L. - Easter Seal Society
undated
1 42
Gilbert, Edna - Mesa Public Schools
undated
1 43
Goldberg, Bernard - Schenley Industries, Inc., President
undated
1 44
Goodkind, Thomas - Tomar Associates
undated
1 45
Griffith, James - University of Arizona
undated
1 46
Guthrie, Lynda L. - Indian Valley Colleges
undated
1 47
Hawn, James L. - Tumbleweed Productions
undated
1 48
Hillman, Jerry - Blue Lakes Shopping Center
undated
1 49
Hinds, J.E. - State Home and Training School for Mental Defectives
undated
1 50
Hurst, Marge - Easter Seal Society
undated
1 51
Hutchinson, Buel - The Little Outfit
undated
1 52
Jackson, Melvin H. - Smithsonian Institution, Curator of the Marine Transportation
undated
1 53
Jones, Herb - Kodak
undated
1 54
Jones, Patsy
undated
1 55
Kadon, Sara - S.U.N. Entertainment
undated
1 56
Key, Sandra P. - KESQ TV
undated
1 57
Kirk, Paul L. - Pueblo Public Schools
undated
1 58
Kochman, Marilyn - Pickin
undated
1 59
Kopecky, Paul - University of Colorado
undated
1 60
Korn, Walter M. - Jackson Hole Trail Ride
undated
1 61
Kratter, Marvin - Rancho Del Rio
undated
1 62
Lester, Alan M. - Smithsonian Institution
undated
1 63
Loague, Walter - Goodwill Industries, Executive Director
undated
1 64
Luce, Elizabeth - American Red Cross
undated
1 65
Makara, Steve
undated
1 66
Mangold, Connie - University of Arizona
undated
1 67
Matott, Glenn - Colorado A & M
undated
1 68
McCartin, Rev. William B. - Diocese of Tucson
undated
1 69
McCormick, Mack - Smithsonian Institution, Director "A Festival of American Folklife"
undated
1 70
McCullogh, Judith - University of Illinois Press
undated
1 71
Metzke, John J. - Central Wyoming College, Activities Coordinator
undated
1 72
Milberg, David E. - San Bernardino Air Service Command
undated
1 73
Miller, Janet - Elkhorn Ranch
undated
1 74
Odell, Scott - Smithsonian Institution, Museum Specialist
undated
1 75
Pablo, Don
undated
1 76
Rahm, Barbara la Pan - Smithsonian Institution, Program Coordinator
undated
1 77
Reed, Mike - KUNR-FM
undated
1 78
Rindskopf, Art - Military Order of the Cootie
undated
1 79
Robitaille, Janine M. - KTTU-TV
undated
1 80
Robinson, Beverly J. - Smithsonian Institution
undated
1 81
Robison, Jane R. - Cultural Heritage and Arts Center
undated
1 82
Russell, Tom G. - End of the Trail Music
undated
1 83
Schultz, Ann J.
undated
1 84
Seriver, Bob
undated
1 85
Short, Cecil H.
undated
1 86
Springman, Rob - Cache Valley Mall, Manager
undated
1 87
Steiger, Sam - Congress of the United States
undated
1 88
Stetson, V.B.
undated
1 89
Taylor, Kim - Corona-Norco Unified School District
undated
1 90
Temple, Norman - Grand Teton Lodge Company, Recreation Director
undated
1 91
Tucker, J.W. - Military Order of the Cootie, Supreme District Hospital Commissioner
undated
1 92
Turner, Dallas - "Nevada Slim"
undated
1 93
Travisano, Marilyn - Mesa Community College
undated
1 94
Tuthill, J.B. - Tucson Arizona Chamber of Congress
undated
1 95
Vacher, L. William - Gonzaga University
undated
1 96
Varner, Victor N. - Grand Canyon College
undated
1 97
Warren, F.C.
undated
1 98
Watkins, C. Malcom - Smithsonian Institution, Chairman, Department of Cultural History
undated
1 99
Weber, David J. - Southern Methodist University
undated
1 100
Weize, Richard - Folf Barieth Records
undated
1 101
Wilgus, D.K. - Journal of American Folklore
undated
1 102
Will, Debbie - YMCA of the Rockies
undated
1 103
Williams, Bill - Grand Canyon College, President
undated
1 104
Williamson, John
undated
1 105
Willson, G.M. - State Training School
undated
1 106
Wilson, George C. - University of Arizona
undated
1 107
Wilson, Wendell S. - Teton Valley Ranch
undated
1 108
Wilde, Glenn - Utah State University, College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences
undated
1 109
Miscellaneous - Includes lists of addresses
undated

Autobiography, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
2 1
3 Dimes and a Button - Early notes
undated
2 2
3 Dimes and a Button - Original draft, incomplete, out of order
undated
2 3
3 Dimes and a Button - Original draft, completed, annotated by ghost writer Marilyn Bowden
undated
2 4
3 Dimes and a Button - Original, complete, not corrected by ghost writer
undated
2 5
3 Dimes and a Button - Original, complete, order mixed
undated
3 1
3 Dimes and a Button - Original, complete, order mixed
undated
3 2
3 Dimes and a Button - Original with dedicatory note
undated
3 3
3 Dimes and a Button - Original with handwritten page numbers
undated
3 4
3 Dimes and a Button - Edited, in order
undated
3 5
3 Dimes and a Button - Original, incomplete, order mixed, not rewritten by agent
undated

Music, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
4 1
Master Song list
undated
4 2
Lyrics
undated
4 3
Lyrics
undated
4 4
Lyrics
undated
4 5
Awards
undated
4 6
Copyrights
undated
4 7
Performance Contracts
undated
4 8
Performance Programs
undated
4 9
Miscellaneous - Includes advertisements, price lists, receipts
undated

Miscellaneous Writing, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
5 1
Rambler's Notebook - Unbound copy, Mock-ups, photocopies
undated
5 2
Rambler's Notebook - Photocopies, computer printouts
undated
5 3
Round Legs: A Photo Essay - Draft and final publication.
Draft includes introduction not put in final publication
undated
5 4
Faces - Introduction to photo essay and release forms
undated
5 5
Poetry
undated
5 6
Chet and Sophie - Rough draft
undated
5 7
Plays
undated
5 8
Columns, Articles, Lectures, Essays, Notes - Columns from Jackson Hole Guide
Articles on Horseshoeing machine, Vassar Clements; lecture notes Tucson Library; notes on B.B. King.
1990-1999
5 9
Writing by others - Includes Van Holyoak, Joseph Barclay, Catherine Rogers, Tom Russell, Peter Darlington.
undated
6 1
Round Legs - Mock-up for publishers
undated

Newspaper Clippings, Smithsonian Tours, Memorabilia, Miscellaneous, Obituaries, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box Folder
7 1
Newspaper clippings
1940-1949
7 2
Newspaper clippings
1950-1959
7 3
Newspaper clippings
1960-1969
7 4
Newspaper clippings
1970-1979
7 5
Newspaper clippings
1980-1989
7 6
Newspaper clippings
1990-1999
7 7
Smithsonian Tour Memorabilia
1971
7 8
Smithsonian Tour Memorabilia
1976
7 9
Miscellaneous
undated
7 10
Obituaries
undated
7 11
Letters of Sympathy
undated

Memorabilia, undatedReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box
8
Oversized items including programs, awards
undated
9
Straw hat
undated
9a
Felt hat
undated
10
Leather visor, trick rope, coffee mug, leather notebook (not tooled by Agins)
undated

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Authors, American--West (U.S.)
  • Cowboys--Songs and music.
  • Cowboys--United States.
  • Folk musicians--West (U.S.)
  • Folklore--West (U.S.)
  • People with disabilities--West (U.S.)

Geographical Names

  • West (U.S.)--Social life and customs.