BOB PINSON RECORDED SOUND COLLECTION
Virtually spanning the history of recorded sound, the Bob Pinson Recorded Sound Collection embraces 200,000 recorded cylinders and discs including 98% of all pre-World War II country recordings ever made.
Rarities include the only remaining radio transcription disk of the first network radio broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry from 1939. The recording is one of the first fifty selected by the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress as culturally, historically, or aesthetically important to life in the United States.
ABOUT BOB PINSION
In April 2004, the Museum's recorded sound collection was named in memory of record collector, historian, and longtime staff member, Bob Pinson. Pinson, who passed away in 2003 at age sixty-nine, is responsible for amassing the recordings that form the core of the Museum's collection.
Pursuing a lifelong passion for roots music, Texas-native Pinson began collecting records in the 1940s and assembled a collection of 15,000 early country music recordings, including many rare discs that otherwise might have been absent from the historical record. In 1971, he urged the Museum to include historic recordings in its then-small collection and offered his collection for purchase.
"By making his collection available to us, Bob ensured that the Museum could take its place among the nation's major cultural institutions," said Museum Director Kyle Young.
In May 1973, Pinson followed his collection to Nashville and began working as the Museum's director of record acquisitions. During the next quarter century, he built the 200,000-disc collection that is now part of the Museum's Frist Library and Archive.
Pinson accomplished this without an annual appropriation for record acquisitions. Instead, he generated funds by securing donations, selling duplicate copies, and arranging mutually beneficial trades with other institutions like the Library of Congress.
As a Museum staffer, Pinson shared his deep knowledge of country music discography with co-workers, scholars, researchers, and fans. He also contributed to many books, including Country Music U.S.A., the first scholarly overview of country music history, by Bill Malone; Charles Townsend's biography of Bob Wills; Nolan Porterfield's biography of Jimmie Rodgers; and Colin Escott's biography of Hank Williams.
He also worked on numerous historic record reissue projects, including The Bristol Sessions, which documents the first recordings of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music and The Complete Hank Williams.
Pinson retired as a full time staff member in 1999 but continued his work at the Museum part time. He served as editorial researcher on the landmark volume Country Music Records: A Discography, 1921-1942 by Tony Russell.
FRIENDS OF THE COLLECTION Join Now Renew Now
Friends groups have been formed for donors interested in supporting specific collections at the Museum while learning more about those collections.
Friends of the Recorded Sound Collection help support initiatives to protect and preserve over 200,000 sound recordings, ranging from cylinders to CDs, which span the history of recorded sound.
Some of these recordings are irreplaceable treasures and many require conservation treatment. Preservation of the collection is a continuous and costly process made possible by grants and donations.
Ultimately, the most fragile portion of the collection will be transferred to digital formats, allowing full access to the content, while preserving the original artifact and minimizing the potential for further degradation or damage.
Friends enjoy insider opportunities to experience the collection, including special updates from the Museum's curatorial staff and Friends gatherings.
To become a Friend of the Recorded Sound Collection click here.
FRIENDS OF THE RECORDED SOUND COLLECTION RECEIVE
- Unlimited free admission to the Museum
- Invitation to special members only exhibit previews
- Personalized membership card
- Monthly program news by mail or e-mail (Click here to view past Membership news)
- 10% discount at the Museum Store, dining at Two Twenty • Two Grill & Catering, and Hatch Show Print retail (online and on-site)
- Limited edition "All for the Hall" Hatch Show Print poster
- Advance notice and special purchase opportunities for Museum events, i.e. Artist in Residence Series
- Invitation to quarterly exclusive events
- Invitation to exhibit opening receptions
- One-time-use guest passes*
- Recognition in Museum's annual report
*Guest passes based on donation level: 2 at $100; 4 at $250; and 6 at $500.
For more information on duplication for legitimate research purposes, please contact audiolab@countrymusichalloffame.org.
*The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum reserves the right to refuse duplication services to anyone at any time.
