I have the longterm loan of four old songbooks. They are far too fragile to play out of. I have discussed their preservation with two Mudcatters, but it looks like a big project for one or two, and if more people participate it could have some nice applications.

Obvious approaches are scanning, hanging up on a website.... posting lyrics & chords here... someone mentioned recording...

OK, here's what I have:

Powder River Jack and Kitty Lee's Songs of the Range (Cowboy Wails of Cattle Trails).
(C) 1937, Chart Music Pub House, Chicago. 30 songs, foreword, photo layout centerfold. 50 pages.

Dale Hunter's (The Yodeling Cowboy) collection of Hill Billy and Cowboy Songs.
(C) 1934, Chart Music Pub House, Chicago. Blues and Yodel songs. 32 songs, foreword. 50 pages.

Marc Williams (The Singing Texan) Collection of favorite Cowboy Songs.
(C) 1937, Bob Miller Inc. Pub.. 22 songs including "the Famous Song, The Cowboy Prayer." 34 pages.

The Big Roundup of Cowboy Songs.
(C) 1934, Amsco Music Sales Co. 57 songs, foreword. 96 pages.

See also related thread, "Help: Barn Dance Songbook Preservation Project."


People, what are your ideas? Post them here.

Do you want to volunteer to join the project team? E-mail me.

(Click HERE to e-mail me.)

~Susan