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Singin' Sam Agins papers

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_COLL MSS 230

Scope and Contents

This collection contains the papers of Sam Agins in the form of correspondence, publications, music papers, various personal effects, including a Stetson hat and other cowboy memorabilia.

Dates

  • 1919-1996

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Restrictions

Open to public research.

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances.

Permission to publish material from the Singin' Sam Agins papers must be obtained from the Special Collections and Archives manuscript curator and/or the Special Collections and Archives department head.

Biographical Note

"Singin" Sam Agins was born in Denver, Colorado on June 4, 1919 and died in Sun City, Arizona on March 28, 1996. Agins is best known as an American folk singer that learned to play the fiddle and guitar in his youth. Though limited to the use of crutches or a wheelchair for mobility, Agins became an inspiration for many who attended his concerts. During the 1940s and 1950s he entertained disabled youth, veterans, and children in hospitals, acting as Ambassador of Goodwill Industries. Other groups treated to Agins' talents included prisoners in New Mexico and guests at ranches in the Rocky Mountain West.

Not only a musician but a lyricist and collector of others' lyrics, Agins wrote, collected, and recorded songs throughout his life and established his own recording company, Haywire, in the 1970s, He numbered among his friends the Mexican and American cowboys, as well as hobos ("gentlemen of the highways") who shared their songs and stories with him. His other writings included an autobiography, 3 Dimes and a Button, and several plays, poems, magazine articles, news columns, and a photo essay called Round Legs.

Agins was not only a musician and writer but also a multitalented craftsman. His interest in American folk culture probably started in California where, as a boy, he learned to train horses and grew adept at rope work, and silver and goldsmithing.

Singin' Sam's career took him all over the Rocky Mountain West where he gave concerts and taught classes about folk singing at the University of Wyoming and at other institutions in Colorado, Idaho, and Arizona. He represented the United States in the 1976 Smithsonian Institution's Montreal Expo and served as an expert on early American folk songs in Washington, D.C. In the 1970s and 1980s, Agins participated in the Festival of the American West and the Western Writer's Conferences held in Logan, Utah.

Extent

10 boxes (6 linear feet)

Abstract

This collection contains the papers of Sam Agins in the form of correspondence, publications, music papers, and various personal effects, including a Stetson hat and other cowboy memorabilia.

Organization

Organized in five series: I. Correspondence; II. Autobiography; III. Music; IV. Miscellaneous Writings; V. Newspaper Clippings, Smithsonian Tours, Memorabilia, Miscellaneous, Obituaries.

The Sam Agins collection is contained in ten manuscript and storage boxes. Arrangement of the collection is topical and chronological. Correspondence is arranged alphabetically by name of correspondent; the name of the correspondent's business, company, or organization is listed with the name. News clippings are arranged chronologically by folders, each representing a decade. All other items are arranged topically under general titles such as "Music" for any items relating to Agins' musical career.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by Frederica Agins in 1996.

Related Materials

  1. Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection (P0134)
  2. Sam Agins book collection (Folk Collection 30)
  3. Sam Agins cassette tape collection (Folk Collection 30a)
  4. Sam Agins commercial record collection (Folk Collection 30b)
  5. Sam Agins commercial video and beta collection (Folk Collection 30c)
  6. Sam Agins commercial reel-to-reel collection (Folk Collection 30d)
  7. Art and artifacts collection

Separated Materials

Photographs removed to the Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection (P0134).

Books removed to the Sam Agins book collection (Folk Collection 30).

Cassette tapes removed to the Sam Agins cassette tape collection (Folk Collection 30a).

Records removed to the Sam Agins commercial record collection (Folk Collection 30b).

Videotapes removed to the Sam Agins commercial video and beta collection (Folk Collection 30c).

Reel-to-reel tapes removed to the Sam Agins commercial reel-to-reel collection (Folk Collection 30d).

An oil portrait of Agins by John H. Wadell and six ink drawings of Johnny Hampton were removed to the art and artifacts collection in Special Collections and Archives.

Title
Guide to the Singin' Sam Agins papers 1919-1996
Author
Finding aid created by the Special Collections Department at Utah State University
Date
©2008
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs (Describing Archives: A Content Standard)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Revision Statements

  • May 25, 2008.: Template information was updated to reflect Utah Manuscript Association best practices.
  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
  • 2024: Updated to split items in box 9 into 2 separate boxes (9 and 9a)

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)