Agins, Sam

"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 folksinger 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, and hobos ("gentlemen of the highways") who shared their songs and stories with him. His other writings included an autobiography, 3 Dimes and a Button, several plays, poems, magazine articles, news columns, and a photo essay called Round Legs. He was also a multi-talented 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, 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.

From the description of Singin' Sam Agins papers, 1919-1996. (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 71272423

Singin' Sam Agins was born in Denver, Colorado, on June 14, 1919. He was born with a congenital paralysis of both legs and only weighed 2 lbs. at birth. Agins was limited to using crutches or a wheelchair for mobility from childhood. Despite his disability he led an active life, playing guitar, making poetry, and writing and collecting music. In addition he was a leather craftsman, stringed instruments mechanic, and a maker of hand-tooled silver buckle jewelry and violins. Agins passion was writing, collecting and singing American folk songs, particularly of the West. During the 1940s and 1950s he entertained disabled youth, veterans, and children in hospitals, acting as an Ambassador of Goodwill Industries. In addition, he entertained prisoners in New Mexico, guests at dude ranches, and taught classes about folk singing throughout the American West. Agins was also the United States representative in 1976 at the Smithsonian Institution's Montreal Expo and also served as an expert on early American folk songs in Washington D.C. During the 1970s and 1980s he participated in the Festival of the American West and the Western Writers Conferences held in Logan, Utah. On November 19, 1957 he married Frederica Agins (born May, 1938) and they had two sons, Judd and Joseph Agins. Sam Agins died in Sun City, Arizona, on March 28, 1996.

From the description of Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection, 1875-1990 (bulk 1885-1980). (Utah State University). WorldCat record id: 57673539

From the guide to the Sam Agins collection : reel-to-reel tapes, 1985-1996, (Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and Archives.)

From the guide to the Sam Agins collection : video and beta tapes, 1985-1996, (Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and Archives.)

From the guide to the Sam Agins collection: fieldwork cassette tapes, 1950-1996, (Utah State University. Merrill-Cazier Library. Special Collections and Archives.)

"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 folksinger 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, and hobos ("gentlemen of the highways") who shared their songs and stories with him. His other writings included an autobiography, 3 Dimes and a Button, 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 multi-talented 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, 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.

From the guide to the Singin' Sam Agins papers, 1919-1996, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)

Singin' Sam Agins was born in Denver, Colorado on June 14, 1919 and he died in Sun City, Arizona on March 28, 1996. He was born with a congenital paralysis of both legs and only weighed 2 lbs. at birth. Agins was limited to using crutches or a wheelchair for mobility from childhood. Despite his disability he led a very active and full life. Sam's activities included guitar playing, making poetry, and writing and collecting music. In addition he was a leather craftsman, stringed instruments mechanic, and a maker of hand-tooled silver buckle jewelry and violins. On November 19, 1957 he married Frederica Agins (born May, 1938) and they had two sons, Judd and Joseph Agins.

Agins' passion was writing, collecting, and recording American folk songs, especially of the West. During the 1940s and 1950s he entertained disabled youth, veterans, and children in hospitals acting as an Ambassador of Goodwill Industries. In addition, he entertained prisoners in New Mexico, guests at dude ranches, and taught classes about folk singing throughout the American West. Agins was also the United States representative in 1976 at the Smithsonian Institution's Montreal Expo and also served as an expert on early American folk songs in Washington D.C. During the 1970s and 1980s he participated in the Festival of the American West and the Western Writers Conferences held in Logan, Utah.

From the guide to the Singin' Sam Agins photograph collection, 1875-1990, 1885-1980, (Utah State University. Special Collections and Archives)