Bob Pinson country music research papers, 1939-1999 (bulk 1947-1980)
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organization: Four Series: I. Hank Williams; II. Grand Ole Opry; III. Armed Forces Radio Service; IV. Other Country Music Research;,Arrangement: generally chronological within each series

Materials housed in Special Collections Division of the Main Library, Nashville Public Library

In library use only. Available by appointment

Abstract: Research notes, audio cassettes and VHS video tapes, periodicals and other items collected by country music historian Bob Pinson. The collection's main focus is material related to Hank Williams, including his day to day performance and recording itinerary, and the Grand Ole Opry, specifically Opry performances that were part of the Armed Forces Radio Services broadcast, primarily from the 1940s and 1950s.

Scope and Content: The Bob Pinson Country Music Research Papers at the Nashville Public Library feature research notes, publications, CD and cassette tape audio recordings and VHS video recordings (both privately produced and commercial) regarding the research interests of Bob Pinson. Interests included the career of Hank Williams, more specifically his day to day performance and recording itinerary from 1946-1953; performances from the Grand Ole Opry, the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) broadcasts from the Grand Ole Opry, and country music artists in general. This research was conducted late in Pinson's life, and while his personal notes and research are undated, his telephone call logs show that he was conducting research through at least 1999. While some of his findings have since found their way in to print, this collection remains of interest to country music scholars generally and specialists in Hank Williams and the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) in particular.

Cite as: Bob Pinson Country Music Research Papers, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library

This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Additionally, the donor retains publication rights in the research materials of Bob Pinson. Publication in whole or in part may only proceed with advance written approval from donor.

Gladys Pinson, widow of Bob Pinson;,Gift;,2003.,Acc. 2003.068

Associated Materials: The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is home to the Bob Pinson Recorded Sound Collection. This collection of almost 200,000 recordings was amassed by Pinson during his time at the museum working as the museum's director of record acquisitions. The Armed Forces Radio Service Collection is held at the Library of Congress.

Bob Pinson (1934-2003) was a premier country music record collector, discographer, and research consultant. Pinson was a Texas native who was raised primarily in California. He began collecting records in the 1940s. In 1967, Pinson quit his job at the Memorex Corporation in Santa Clara, California and started a mail order record business. In October of 1971, he sold his collection of over 15,000 recordings to the Country Music Foundation which operates the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn. Pinson's collection was assembled from radio stations, record dealers, flea markets, pawn shops, garage sales, and by connecting with individual fans and collectors. In May of 1973, Pinson began working as the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's director of record acquisitions and built a collection of almost 200,000 recordings. While amassing this collection, he never had an annual appropriation for record acquisitions. Pinson generated funds for record acquisitions through donations, selling duplicate copies of recordings, and trading items with other institutions, including the Library of Congress. Pinson retired from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in 1999 but continued to conduct research. In addition to working at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Pinson contributed research to and authored books about country music and various country music stars.

In English

Finding aid available;,folder level control

The items in the collection were either created or acquired by Bob Pinson throughout his life. Materials donated to Nashville Public Library by Pinson's widow, Gladys Pinson.

process;,2019,Brooke Olson, intern;

arrange and describe,2019,Brooke Olson, intern;

describe,2021,Kathleen Feduccia

No further accruals are expected.