Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Nelson, George, 1924-2003
- Abstract:
- Collection consists of black and white photographs from the 1950s through the early 1980s related to KYOK in Houston. Including are images documenting the activities of KYOK's deejays in the studio and surrounding communities, particularly in connection with listener contests and station-sponsored events such as dances and the "We Love You" concert. Also included are photographs of KYOK publicity materials and publicity photographs of many of the rhythm and blues artists, jazz, and blues artists featured on the station.
- Extent:
- 98 photographs (black & white ; 8 x 10 in.) and 97 negatives (black & white ; 4 x 5 in.)
- Language:
- Materials are in English.
- Preferred citation:
George Nelson Collection, SC 89, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
"Groovy" George Henry Nelson, Sr. was born in Houston to George and Minnie White Nelson on 3 October 1924. Nelson attended Phillis Wheatley High School, where he was one of the school's first basketball stars under coach John E. Codwell, and later attended Southern Business College. Although Nelson played briefly with the New York Renaissance, an all-African-American basketball team, he decided to pursue a career in radio and trained under Dan Rather at KTRH. In March 1956, he was hired by Dick Oppenheimer as the lead gospel deejay at KYOK-AM.
In addition to exposing listeners to gospel acts such as the Mighty Clouds of Joy, the Salem Travelers, and the Original Five Blind Boys, Nelson helped to break popular musicians such as James Brown, Ruby Dee, The Isley Brothers, Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes, Johnny Mathis, Jackie Wilson, Little Richard, Joe Tex, Joe Hinton. Nelson also drew upon his athletics background as a play-by-play announcer on KYOK for black high school and TSU football games.
Nelson joined KTSU-FM at Texas Southern University in the 1980s and became known there for his 5 am gospel show. He continued to broadcast with KTSU up until the time of his death, and performed some of his final shows from his hospital bed. Nelson passed away on 3 April 2003.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift from George Nelson on 1990 August 17.
- Processing information:
Processed by AAAMC staff. Completed in 2012.
- Arrangement:
Arranged in one series:
- Series 1: Photographs
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Use of time-based media materials (audio and video) may require production of listening or viewing copies.
Access to streaming audio, moving image, and full resolution digital image materials may currently be restricted to researchers who can authenticate with an IU account or who are physically present on campus. Remote streaming to individual researchers may be allowed with the completion of applicable forms.
For further information about access to online audiovisual materials, contact AAAMC staff at aaamc@indiana.edu.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations, including but not limited to the Indiana Public Records Act (5-14-3-2 et seq.). Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which Indiana University assumes no responsibility.
Copyright is retained by the creators/authors of items in this collection, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. All requests for copying and publishing materials must be submitted in writing to the Archives of African American Music and Culture, and may require the written permission of the creator(s)/author(s) or donor(s).
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
George Nelson Collection, SC 89, Archives of African American Music and Culture, Indiana University, Bloomington.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Smith Research Center, Rooms 180-1812805 East 10th StreetBloomington, Indiana 47408-2601, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-8547aaamc@indiana.edu