Dom Flemons Collection at Heard Libraries offers ‘Treasure Trove’ for Scholars Exploring African American Influences on Roots Music

A banjo in the Dom Flemons American Songster Collection (Vanderbilt Special Collections and University Archives) Nashville, Tenn. (TN Tribune)-The Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries have acquired the personal collection of Dom Flemons, a Grammy Award-winning songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and cultural historian whose music and research have brought greater awareness to African Americans’ extensive contributions to roots music. The collection was compiled and curated by Flemons and his wife, Vania Kinard, to include research materials on Black cowboys, musical instruments, an Edison phonograph with several playable wax cylinders, historical sheet music, field recordings, art pieces, memorabilia, personal gifts, autographed records, and materials documenting Flemons’ professional music career over the past 20 years. “This is a treasure trove for anyone interested in Americana music,” said University Librarian& Jon Shaw. “Dom Flemons has assembled a remarkable collection that illustrates the significant role African Americans have played in shaping roots music over many decades, and I’m delighted these materials are now available for wider research and teaching through our libraries’ collaborative partnership with the& National Museum of African American Music.” Housed in Vanderbilt’s& Special Collections and University Archives, the& Dom Flemons American Songster Collection& was acquired from the artist through the university’s Academic Archive Purchasing...