Travis, Merle

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Guitarist, songwriter, and performer. Born November 29, 1917. Died October 20, 1983. Full name: Merle Robert Travis. As a leading exponent of the thumb-style guitar technique, his innovative style influenced generations of guitar players. Songwriting credits include the classics "Sixteen Tons," "Dark as a Dungeon," and "Smoke, Smoke, Smoke (That Cigarette)." Member, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Member, Country Music Hall of Fame.

From the description of Oral history interview with Merle Travis; 1975 October 17; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. 1975 Oct. 17. (Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center). WorldCat record id: 58841164

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Green, Archie. Archie Green papers, 1944-2009. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Southern Folklife Collection song folios, circa 1882-1983. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Miscellaneous speeches, lectures and labor music. Cornell University Library
referencedIn Southern Folklife Collection Artist Name File, 1940-2005 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.
referencedIn Travis, Merle;. Oral history interview with Merle Travis; 1975 October 17; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center
creatorOf Travis, Merle;. Oral history interview with Merle Travis; 1975 October 17; interview conducted by Douglas B. Green. Country Music Foundation, Library & Media Center
referencedIn Central City Public Library (Central City, Ky.). Merle Travis memorial video, 1991. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Kahn, Ed. Ed Kahn collection, 1930-1999. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Southern Folklife Collection artist name files, 1940-2005 (artists R-Z). University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
referencedIn Nicolas Slonimsky Collection, 1873-1997, (bulk 1920-1990) Library of Congress. Music Division
referencedIn Mike Seeger Collection, circa 1950s-2008, (bulk 1955-2002) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Library. Southern Folklife Collection.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Green, Archie. person
associatedWith Green, Douglas B.; person
associatedWith Kahn, Ed. person
associatedWith Seeger, Mike, 1933-2009. person
associatedWith Slonimsky, Nicolas, 1894-1995 person
associatedWith Travis, Merle. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
United States
Subject
Composers
Composers
Country music
Country musicians
Country musicians
Guitarists
Guitarists
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1917-11-29

Death 1983-10-19

Americans

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Ark ID: w6c24tnw

SNAC ID: 59554245