This collection contains five interviews conducted over five months. The interviews range from twenty-eight minutes to approximately four hours. All interviews consist of audio tapes and most have typed transcripts.
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
The archive of the Center for Documentary Research and Practice at Indiana University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions, additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Audio files may not be copied for patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the audio interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use, but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and interviewer's name, and page(s).
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for Documentary Research and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote occurs].
Restricted: Contact the Center for Documentary Research and Practice for more informaiton.
Florence R. Garvin Deakyne was born on January 15, 1927 and died on November 20, 2005. She describes her life history and experiences with family and friends as a musician in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Open
Willie "Kid" Edwards discusses his life as a blues musician in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Open
Errol Grandy, born on February 2, 1918, discusses his career as a professional blues pianist, a talent he discovered playing music at his father's church. He speaks of several Indianapolis clubs, his memories of fellow musicians, and of the differences between jazz and blues music. In addition, Mr. Grandy comments on the violence that often invaded some Indianapolis jazz clubs.
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J. Wallace Hall, born on August 2, 1890, relates some details of his life history, including stories of his youth in rural Kentucky, his experiences with the Ku Klux Klan, racism, and segregation, and his work as a saxophone player and night club owner in Indianapolis, Indiana. He speaks of his heritage; his mother, a former slave, and his father, part Native American, contributed to his wide and varied knowledge and pursuits. In addition, Mr. Hall comments on the best ways to make money, his education, farming, and home remedies.
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James Yank Rachell discusses his life history and experiences as a blues musician.