John I. White papers, 1934-1971
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- White, John I. (John Irwin), 1902-1992
- Title
- John I. White papers
- Dates
- 1934-1971 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- 1.05 cubic ft. (2 containers)
- Collection Number
- 01660
- Summary
- John I. White was a western folk music singer and researcher. Collection contains articles and reprints, newspapers and newspaper clippings, and miscellaneous pamphlets and brochures.
- Repository
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American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
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There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
John I. White was a western folk music singer, and he recorded music under the pseudonyms of the Lone Star Ranger, the Lonesome Cowboy, Whitey Johns, Jimmie Price, and the Old Sexton. White’s career began at the end of the 1920s when he was discovered on the radio by the American Record Corporation. His discography included covers of traditional folk music written by European settlers in the western frontier in the late nineteenth century, as well as various Tin Pan Alley hillbilly songs. White’s most famous out of the 18 that he recorded in total were “Whoopee Ti Yo Yo,” “Git Along Dogies,” and “The Strawberry Roan.”
White’s recording career was decidedly short-lived when he began to lose interest in the corny songs that he was asked to cover. However, his passion for the history of folk music grew over the next three decades. After White retired in 1965, he decided to do more research on old folk songs and their writers in the American West, publishing articles for magazines.
Content Description
Collection contains 13 articles and reprints on western folklore, Owen Wister, and the poetry of D. J. O’Malley written by White; newspapers from Winners of the West and National Folk Festival; newspaper clippings with articles by O’Malley and White; a music booklet by Charles Ives; and 2 brochures, of which one is about the University of Illinois Press series “Music in American Life” of which White’s book later became a part.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Inventories
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list for 2 containers.
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Description: Link to Container List (PDF)Container: Box 1-2
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Brochures.
- Cowboys.
- Folk music.
- Music.
- Poetry.
Personal Names
- Hanson, Joseph Mills, -- 1876-1960.
- Ives, Charles, -- 1874-1954.
- Lowdermilk, Romaine, -- 1890-1970.
- O'Malley, Dominick John, -- 1867-1943.
- Wister, Owen, -- 1860-1938.
Corporate Names
- Syracuse University.
Geographical Names
- West (U.S.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Newspapers.
- Songbooks.
