Tommy Thompson (1937-2003) was a founding member of both the Hollow Rock String Band and the Red Clay Ramblers, as well as a playwright, composer, and actor. The collection includes materials primarily relating to Thompson's musical and theatrical activities, 1970s-1990s. Included are rough drafts, final scripts, scores, publicity, correspondence, and other materials related to dramatic works that Thompson authored or co-authored (some with Jack Herrick), scored, or performed in, including: , a musical based on the memoir by Mark Twain; Sam Shepard's ; ; ; ; and . , a one-man show exploring historical figures Dan Emmett and the Snowden family, an African American family from Ohio, which touches on the development of the banjo, blackface minstrelsy, and the interactions of black and white musical traditions, is extensively documented with scripts for a radio production of the play, schoolchildren's responses to the play, research materials, and other items. Items related to the musical include an audio cassette of song samples from the show. Other writings include drafts of short stories and of a children's book on which Thompson collaborated with illustrator Joan Kaghan, an unfinished dramatization of North Carolina string band leader Charlie Poole's life, and Thompson's notebooks. Also included are Thompson's song collection of both original compositions and material from other sources; materials related to the Red Clay Ramblers, consisting of publicity, documentation of the Ramblers' trip to Africa, Bland Simpson materials, and photographs; business materials, consisting of insurance correspondence, a 1991 ledger detailing personal expenses and income, and an address list of theaters; and personal materials. Personal materials include correspondence; photographs; Thompson's collections of antique ledgers, dramatic works of others, and research materials; silent film footage of one of Thompson's Friday night jam sessions; and other items. The Last Song of John Proffitt: Life on the Mississippi A Lie of the Mind Earrings The Merry Wives of Windsor, Texas Fool Moon Savages The Last Song of John Proffitt Savages
