Regarding research in general, you may be surprised to find out how much stuff is available on the Internet. A couple of years ago I helped my sister-in-law do some research for a screenplay she was planning to write about the Astor Place Riot, which happened in New York in, I think, 1848. Before she mentioned it, I had never HEARD OF the Astor Place Riot, but starting with that name and the names of 3 individuals who were involved, I found about 50 sites that contained relevant, useful, and apparently reliable information.

I recommend using Google as your search engine.

I believe the British Library has a searchable online catalog, and so does the American Library of Congress. Those are the BIG ones. Your local university library probably has one, too.

All the major record labels have web sites, and since many albums from that era are still in print (as CD's), you may be able to find some useful information about them there. If what you want isn't on their web site, you can email them and ask.

One more thing: When you're finished, I imagine many Mudcatters would be interested in reading your paper. You could post a link to it if it exists somewhere else on the 'net, or, since the Mudcat Café is allegedly a magazine containing articles and such, you could email Max to see if he wants to create a prominent place for it. I've never seen anyone post a long article in the forum, but it could be done.

I think we ought to encourage serious scholarship. So much of what you see on Mudcat is blather.