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Jay Bailey Folk Music and Folklore Collection

 Collection
Identifier: 1997-012

Scope and Contents

Collection contains music, lyrics, catalogs, clippings, correspondence, research notes, sound recordings, videos, books newsletters, journals, and photographs used by Jay Bailey, who was interested in blues, bluegrass, folk, country, and banjo music, as well as folklore.

Dates

  • 1888 - 1995
  • Majority of material found within 1957 - 1995

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research use. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, the Oklahoma Open Records Act (http://www.odl.state.ok.us/lawinfo/docs/2006-LibraryLaws-PartE.pdf), and other relevant regulations. Confidential material may include, but is not limited to, educational, medical, and personnel records. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Oklahoma State University Libraries assumes no responsibility.

Conditions Governing Use

The researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of copyright. Whenever possible, Oklahoma State University Archives will provide information about copyright owners and related information. Securing permission to publish or use material is the responsibility of the researcher. Note that unless specifically transferred to Oklahoma State University Libraries, any applicable copyrights may be held by another individual or entity. Copyright for material published by Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College/Oklahoma State University is held by the Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Further information about copyright policy can be obtained by contacting Oklahoma State University Archives by email at libscua@okstate.edu or by phone at 405-744-6311.

Finding aid © 2018 Board of Regents for the Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges. All rights reserved.

Biographical Sketch

Jay Bailey was born in Cordell, OK, on January 24, 1935. He quickly developed a love for music, especially music that came from the soul and reflected the life of average people. He appreciated blues, country, bluegrass and folk music. Bailey also had an affinity for music that strayed from the beaten path and featured exotic instruments or quirky musicians. Besides being a fan of music, Bailey was also a musician. He especially liked playing the five-string banjo but had also taught himself to play such diverse instruments as guitar, spoons, bones, and others. Bailey compiled research on various aspects of music and local folklore, with an emphasis on folk music and the banjo. He published numerous articles, amassed an impressive collection of materials, and was often sought by scholars for his insight into specific areas of music and folklore. Jay Bailey died in Oklahoma City on December 27, 1995.

Extent

32 Linear feet ((16 record storage cartons, 1 document box, 1 drop front box, 8 phonograph record boxes, 1 oversized folder); and 303 monographs.)

Language of Materials

English

Arrangement

Arranged into 17 series.

Location

For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog or contact the Oklahoma State University Archives Reference staff.

Provenance

Gift of Diane Bailey, 1995

Processing Notes

Series, Arrangement, Access, and Copying

Arrangement is by format. Material in paper format, other than journals and photographs, consists of card files and lists maintained by Bailey as well as material arranged alphabetically by topics designated by him. Topics for “Music” are: Banjo; Bluegrass; Blues, Jazz, “Black” music; and Folk Music. Additional topics are: Catalogs; Folklore; Instruments; Musicians; Societies, Organizations, and Festivals; Songs and Lyrics. Other formats include: Photographs; Journals; Monographs; and Media. The latter contains: audio-cassettes, phonograph records, reel-to-reel tapes, and VHS video tapes.

Bailey’s arrangement of the material has been maintained as much as possible, including his folder headings. There is some overlap, so researchers may find that they need to consult several groups of material. Oversized items that have been relocated are listed in their original location but have a different box number.

Bailey prepared guides to some of the material. These are at the front of Box 1.

Preservation

Photographs have been relocated and placed with other photographs in the collections with the designation 1997-012.9.

Oversized material that would not fit in boxes has been placed in a map drawer, in folder 1997-012. Phonograph records are housed vertically in boxes designed for the purpose.

Abbreviations: n.d.: no date MD: map drawer (location) Misc: miscellaneous NEC: [Acronym used by Bailey, not unidentified] NEO: [Acronym used by Bailey, not identified]

Processing Information

Processed by Mia Hubbard, Millie Jackson, 1997; Tom Jorsch, 1998-99

Updated by Rebecca Perry, September 2010

Creator

Title
Jay Bailey Folk Music and Folklore Collection Collection Number 1997-012
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by Mia Hubbard, Millie Jackson, 1997; Tom Jorsch, 1998-99
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Oklahoma State University Archives Repository

Contact:
204 Edmon Low Library
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater 74078-1071 USA