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Ronald C. Lewis Collection, 1986-2017, undated

A Guide to his Papers at the Indiana University Archives of African American Music and Culture

Finding aid prepared by AAAMC Staff

Summary Information

Repository
Indiana University, Archives of African American Music and Culture (AAAMC)
Smith Research Center, Rooms 180-181
2805 E. 10th St.
Bloomington, IN 47408-2601
Phone: 812-855-8547
Fax: 812-856-0333
Email: aaamc@indiana.edu
https://aaamc.indiana.edu

Creator
Lewis, Ronald C.

Title
Ronald C. Lewis Collection, 1986-2017, undated

Collection No.
SC 126

Extent
1 document case (.25 linear feet) + 1 VHS + 2 DVDs + 1 audiocassette + 2 7-inch sound discs + 1 LP + 35 CDs

Language
Materials are in English.

Abstract
The Ronald Lewis collection contains press releases, article clippings, concert flyers, posters, advertisements, sound recordings and video documenting Lewis' career as a musician, record label owner, and producer in Louisville, KY.

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research. Copyright has not been assigned to the AAAMC. All requests for permission to publish or quote from this collections must be submitted in writing. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the AAAMC as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained. Online playback of audio and video content is dependent upon digitization and may be limited to authorized access. Contact the AAAMC for details.

Biographical Note

Ronald C. Lewis grew up in the Westend of Louisville, Kentucky. In the 1960s he played with the band Dynamic Imperials until their break-up in 1968. After a stint in the U.S. Navy, he returned to Louisville and formed the Unhooked Generation Show Band, which performed on the U.S.O. circuit in the 1970s. In 1980 he turned to songwriting and formed the publishing company Mr. Wonderful's Music. In 1984 Lewis founded Mr. Wonderful Productions, which included the Wonderful record label, initially distributed by Jewel-Paula Records in Shreveport, Louisiana. In the 2000s, Lewis continued to produce concerts with local artists as well as recordings and videos. This includes the series, "The Soulful Sounds of Derby Town," as well as other albums featuring the music of local artists.

Arrangement

Arranged in two series:
  • Series 1: Publicity and press releases
  • Series 2: Media

Scope and Content Note

The collection is arranged in two series. The first series contains paper and photographic documents from Lewis' work as a musician, producer, and record label owner. Many are press releases and flyers from the group, Mr. Wonderful Productions, as well as performers and recording artists with which Lewis worked. There are also several receipts and letters between Lewis and the AAAMC related to CD donations to the archives. The second series contains video and audio media from many of the performing and recording artists included in the first series.

  • Indexing Terms

  • The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in IUCAT, the IU Libraries' online catalog. Materials about related topics, persons or places can be found by searching the catalog using these terms.

    • Names
    • Amandla Orchestra
    • Roy Ayers & Ubiquity
    • Cotton, Tony
    • Dunlap, Ramona
    • Dynamic Imperials
    • Edge, Mandy
    • Frey, Allen
    • Gaines, Tanita
    • Gough, Cheryl
    • Gough, Sylvester
    • Green, Jerry
    • Ron Hayden Group
    • Jackson, Jermaine
    • Jo, B.B.
    • Keep It Real
    • King, Rev. Price
    • Lacy, Herbert
    • Marlatt, Curtis
    • Martin, Sara
    • Miller, Hazel
    • Mr. Wonderful Productions
    • Maranda, Anna
    • Robinson, Herlon
    • S.O.S. Band
    • S.N.A.P.
    • Soul Seekers
    • Troupe, Regina
    • Williams, Bernard A.
    • Williams, Butch
    • Topics
    • African American sound recording executives and producers
    • African American musicians
    • African American music--Kentucky

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information
Donated to the AAAMC by Ronald Lewis between 1993-2018.
Usage Restrictions
All requests for copying and publishing materials must be submitted in writing to the Archives of African American Music and Culture. Some publication requests may also require the written permission of the interviewer, interviewees, and/or performers.
Preferred Citation
Ronald C. Lewis Collection, SC 126, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Processing Information
Processed by AAAMC Staff.

Completed in 2017

Collection Inventory

Series: 1. Publicity and press releases, 1986-2017, undated 

43 items (36 documents + 7 photographs)

Box 1
Folder 1
Miscellaneous Publicity Materials, 1986-2013, undated 

23 items

List of donated CDs and DVDs, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Photocopied collage of several business cards and image of Lewis with several other people, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Attention - Louisville, KY Recording Artists, Musicians, Music Historians, undated 

1 item (1 leaf + envelope)

Correspondence from Ron C. Lewis about CDs submitted for Black Grooves, December 14, 2006 

1 items (2 leaves)

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Herlon Robinson, Gotta Get My Groove On!, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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CD Baby postcard with artist list on back, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Correspondence from Ron C. Lewis about CDs submitted for Black Grooves, December 14, 2006 

1 item (1 leaf + envelope)

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Flyer for concert: Jermaine Jackson; the S.O.S. Band; Louisville, August 20, 1986 

1 item (1 leaf)

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E&M Promotions Flyer for concert: Roy Ayers & Ubiquity; Jerry Green & Curtis Marlatt, October 26, 1986 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Press Release: Dynamic Imperials Records created, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Press Release Packet: Mr. Wonderful Productions, 2003,  2005,  2006,  undated 

1 item (7 leaves)

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The College Fund/UNCF: An Evening with Ramona Dunlap, 1997 

1 item (26 pages)

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Press release: Butch Williams, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Press release: "The Soulful Sounds of Derbytown", 2005 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Receipt for CDs sent to the Archives of African American Music and Culture, January 2013 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Hazel Miller Is Signed By Local Production Company, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Herbert Lacy Biography, 2008 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Email correspondence about albums by Black Ice and Snap, April 2008 

1 item (2 leaves)

Email correspondence including press release for SNAP, July 2007 

1 item (1 leaf)

Press release: "Back to the Chitterling Circuit Revue", undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Photocopied article from Blues News about "Soulful Sounds of Derbytown" release, December 2007 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Photocopied collage of several business cards and image of Lewis with several other people, undated 

1 item (2 leaves)

[image]View item(s)
Correspondence from Ron C. Lewis about CDs submitted for Black Grooves, July 1, 2008 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Box 1
Folder 2
Publicity Photos, undated 

6 photographs

Mr. Wonderful Production Band (6 copies), undated 

Shelf No(s).
PA005873

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.

Thumbnail

Mandy Edge (2 copies), undated 

Shelf No(s).
PA005874

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 5 x 6 in.

Thumbnail

Herlon Robinson (4 copies), undated 

Shelf No(s).
PA005875

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.

Thumbnail

Sylvester & Cheryl Gough, undated 

Shelf No(s).
PA005876

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.

Thumbnail

Jerry Green, undated 

Shelf No(s).
PA005877

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.

Thumbnail

Mr. Wonderful Production Band (3 copies), undated 

Shelf No(s).
PA005878

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 8 x 10 in.

Thumbnail

Box 1
Folder 3
Keep It Real, Photograph and Press Release, 2009, undated 

1 photograph + 1 document

Keep It Real, undated 

Shelf No(s).
PA005879

Physical Description

1 photograph : b&w ; 8.5 x 11 in.

Thumbnail

Press Release: Keep It Real, February 11, 2009 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Box 1
Folder 4
Soulful Sounds of Derby Town press releases, circa 2005, 

4 items

Press release without header, footer, or markup, circa 2005 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Press release with header and footer, circa 2005 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Alternate version of press release with header, footer, and markup, circa 2005 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Alternate version of press release without markup, circa 2005 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Box 1
Folder 5
Mr. Wonderful Productions press kit with Ronald C. Lewis bio, 1987-2001 

1 item

Mr. Wonderful Productions press kit with Ronald C. Lewis bio, 1987-2001 

1 item (16 leaves)

[image]View item(s)
Box 1
Folder 6
Mr. Wonderful Productions posters, undated 

2 items

Poster: The Ron Hayden Group, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Poster: We Have The Stars, undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

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Box 1
Folder 7
Mr. Wonderful Productions posters and flyers, 2001-2017, undated 

5 items

Flyer: Celebrating the Legacy of Black Louisville, January 28, 2017 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Photocopied picture of Lewis holding a poster from "The Soulful Sounds of Derbytown", 2016 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Photocopied poster from "The Soulful Sounds of Derbytown", undated 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Photocopied poster from The Mr. Wonderful Production Band: "The Original Composers for 2012", 2012 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Photocopied poster for The Unhooked Generation, 2001 

1 item (1 leaf)

[image]View item(s)
Series: 2. Media, 1986-2017, undated 

42 items (1 VHS + 2 DVD + 1 audiocassette + 2 audio discs : analog ; 7 in. + 1 audio disc : analog ; 12 in. + 35 audio discs : digital ; 4 3/4 in.)

Online playback of audio and video content is dependent upon digitization and may be limited to authorized access. Contact the AAAMC for details.

Jerry Green Review; Press Party On Broadway, 1987

Shelf No(s).
VC 49

Physical Description

1 videocassette (VHS) : sound ; color

Publisher
Wave TV3/Mr. Wonderful Prod.

Soulful Sounds of Derbytown: Women in Music, 2013

Shelf No(s).
DVD 285

Physical Description

1 videodisc (DVD) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Gospel With Sylvester & Cheryl Gough: Live In Nashville, 2001

Shelf No(s).
DVD 359

Physical Description

1 videodisc (DVD) : sound, color ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Sylvester & Cheryl Gough

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

The Amandla Orchestra, 1992

Shelf No(s).
CASS 708

Publisher's No.
AVL92004

Physical Description

1 audiocassette (33 min., 49 sec.) : analog (2 copies)

Performer(s)
The Amandla Orchestra

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

We Ain't Got (No Money $$) ; There's No Deeper Love For a Woman…Than Another Woman's Love, 2017

Shelf No(s).
7D 739

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2017-118

Physical Description

1 audio disc (11 min., 45 sec.) : analog, 45 rpm, stereo ; 7 in. (2 copies)

Performer(s)
Mr. Wonderful Production Band

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Love in Motion ; Fruits of Evil, 2001

Shelf No(s).
7D 740

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2001-116

Physical Description

1 audio disc (8 min., 38 sec.) : analog, 45 rpm, stereo ; 7 in. (2 copies)

Performer(s)
Unhooked Generation Show Band

Publisher
Wonderful Records

The International Rappers, 1991

Shelf No(s).
12D 828

Publisher's No.
BI-910001

Physical Description

1 audio disc (51 min., 54 sec.) : analog, 33 1/3 rpm, stereo ; 12 in.

Performer(s)
M.C. Razor
E.M.S. & The Posse
Jay Rock
D.M.X.
II Power
Mr. S

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions & Record Co., Inc.

Come on Children Lets Sing, 2006

Shelf No(s).
CD 2677

Publisher's No.
MR.W#20061515

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Williams, Bernard A.

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Do That to Me Baby!, 2006

Shelf No(s).
CD 2678

Publisher's No.
MR.W#70988

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Green, Jerry

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Sundaze Cool, 2000

Shelf No(s).
CD 2679

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Gough, Sylvester
Gough, Cheryl.

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

100% Cotton, 1992

Shelf No(s).
CD 2680

Publisher's No.
TCC61190CD

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Cotton, Tony

Publisher
Candy Records

Mr. Wonderful Presents: Greatest Hits of Various Artists, 2006

Shelf No(s).
CD 2681

Publisher's No.
MR.W#70989

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
J.D. Mitchell
Teresa Watkins
Dancy
Tony Love
Greg Pickins
Motivation
Control
M.O. Crew
Charles Scott

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Pressing My Way, 199-?

Shelf No(s).
CD 2682

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Soul Seekers

Gotta Get my Groove On!, 1995

Shelf No(s).
CD 2683

Publisher's No.
MRW1860

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Robinson, Herlon

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Memories of Christmas, 200-?

Shelf No(s).
CD 2684

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Green, Jerry

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Amandla Orchestra with Anna Maranda & Friends, 1992

Shelf No(s).
CD 2685

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
The Amandla Orchestra
Maranda, Anna

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

This is Mandy Edge, 2001

Shelf No(s).
CD 2686

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Edge, Mandy

Take Me Back, 2002

Shelf No(s).
CD 2687

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
B.B. Jo

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Very Best From Kentucky: Gospel Artists, Vol. 1, 2003

Shelf No(s).
CD 2688

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2003-1004

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
The Golden Tone Quartet
Minister B. Brown
Rev. Kirby
Rev. King
Soul Seekers
Seeds Of Grace
Sylvester Gough
Cheryl Gough

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Mother I Still Love You, 1994

Shelf No(s).
CD 2689

Publisher's No.
MRW941858

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
King, Rev. Price

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Ramona, undated

Shelf No(s).
CD 4086

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Ramona

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Snap!, 1987

Shelf No(s).
CD 4087

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2007-1001

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
S.N.A.P.

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Soulful Sounds of Derby Town Vol. I & II Doo Wop & Soul, 2007

Shelf No(s).
CD 4088

Publisher's No.
MR.W#70989

Physical Description

2 audio discs : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Cliff Butler
L'il Pete
The Youngsters
The Checkmates
The Epics
Donnie Murphy
The Ambassadors
Jerry Green
The Unhooked Generation
Bobby Ledford
The Soul Ambassadors
The Heartbreakers
Bobby Lester
The Moonlighters
The Aristocrats
Joe Debow
Mary Ann Fischer
Leroy Barbour
Godfather Strivers
Ronny McCain
Faces of Truth Band
Curtis Wiggins
The Palm Room Band
Baby Leon
The Mind Liberators
Joe Wells
The Soul Men
Bill Locke
Ramon & Company
Linda Blakely
Starr Farr
Lorie Rudolf

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

The Best Of, 2008

Shelf No(s).
CD 4089

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2008-7783

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Lacy, Herb

Publisher
Dynamic Imperial Records, Inc.

Live at the Fox, 1995

Shelf No(s).
CD 4090

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Miller, Hazel
Caucasians

Publisher
Crystal Rose Productions

Introducing Butch Williams, 2007

Shelf No(s).
CD 4091

Publisher's No.
5398

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Williams, Butch

Publisher
Stargazer Records

Soulful Sounds of Derby Town Vol. III & IV Gospel & Blues, 2007

Shelf No(s).
CD 4092

Publisher's No.
MR.W#70989

Physical Description

2 audio discs : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Cliff Butler
Tones Of Joy
Golden Crowns
Rev. Tommy Williams
J.M. Quarries
God's Girls
Brother Joe
Brother Butler
Virgie Bowen
Butleraires
Cliff Mayo Holston
Rev. Price King
Rev. Melvin Guff
The Guiding Stars
5 Star Harmonizers
Little Richard
Helen Humes
Mary Ann Fischer
Ben Holton
C. Butler Orchestra
John (Preacher) Stephens
Tommy T'Bird Williams
Lorain Rudolf
J. Charles
Lorain Rudolph
The Moonglows
Bobby Lester
Harvey Fuqua

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Music For Our Legacy, From Louisville To London, 2011

Shelf No(s).
CD 4812

Publisher's No.
MR.W.#2011-1139

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Mr. Wonderful Production Band

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

There's no Deeper Love [Single], 2011

Shelf No(s).
CD 5018

Publisher's No.
MR.W.#2011-1140

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Mr. Wonderful Production Band

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

The Original Composers for 2012, 2012

Shelf No(s).
CD 5176

Publisher's No.
MR.W.#2012-0001

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Mr. Wonderful Production Band

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Yesterday, Today & Forever, 2009

Shelf No(s).
CD 5676

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2009-0001

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.(2 copies)

Performer(s)
Keep-It-Real

Publisher
Dynamic Imperial Records

In the Spirit, 2002

Shelf No(s).
CD 5677

Publisher's No.
MR.W#RH10197-2002

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Ron Hayden Group

Publisher
Dynamic Imperial Records

Lover 4 Life, 2012

Shelf No(s).
CD 5678

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Troupe, Regina

Publisher
Cowhead Music

How Do You Like Me Now?, 2012

Shelf No(s).
CD 5679

Publisher's No.
Stargazer 5399

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Williams, Butch

Publisher
Stargazer

Another City Day, 2013

Shelf No(s).
CD 5680

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2013-0831

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Gaines, Tanita

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Former member of "The New Birth", 2012

Shelf No(s).
CD 5681

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2012-0830

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Frey, Allen

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Ringtones by Ron, 2011

Shelf No(s).
CD 5805

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2011-1111

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Lewis, Ron

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Rising Stars, Volume 2, 1989

Shelf No(s).
CD 5972

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2013-1005

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Tabbi
Jerry Green
The Prophets
Perry Hines
Harvey Carnes
Chequee

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Meet Curtis Marlatt, 2015

Shelf No(s).
CD 7072

Publisher's No.
MR.W#99-031-266

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Marlatt, Curtis

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

Memoriam, 2015

Shelf No(s).
CD 7075

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2015-1730

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Martin, Sara

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

The Soulful Sounds of Derby Town: The Collective from Little Africa Artists, Vol. 1, 2017

Shelf No(s).
CD 9927

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2017-1212

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
Ron Hayden
Dick Sisto
Bennett Higgins
Todd Hildreth
Glenn Fischer
Todd Parker
Ted Richardson
Tyrone Wheeler

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

International Sweethearts of Rhythm, 2017

Shelf No(s).
CD 11182

Publisher's No.
MR.W#2017-1313

Physical Description

1 audio disc : digital, stereo. ; 4 3/4 in.

Performer(s)
International Sweethearts of Rhythm

Publisher
Mr. Wonderful Productions

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