Collection context
Summary
- Title:
- Billy Armstrong Papers
- Dates:
- bulk 1930 - 2016
- Creators:
- Armstrong, Billy
- Abstract:
- Billy Armstrong (1930-2016) was a renowned fiddle-player and singer who was a member of many country-western bands as well a solo artist. He was named "Fiddle Player of The Year" for 13 successive years (1965-1977) by the Academy of Country and Western Music. The Billy Armstrong Papers contain publicity materials, photographs, personal papers, news clippings, memorabilia, sheet music and music recordings related to Armstrong's long career as an acclaimed western swing fiddle player and singer.
- Extent:
- 7.8 Linear Feet 9 boxes
- Language:
- English .
- Preferred citation:
-
Billy Armstrong Papers, 1930-2016, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MSA.59; [folder number] [folder title][date].
Background
- Scope and content:
-
The Billy Armstrong Papers contain personal papers, news clippings, promotional materials, photographs, letters, sheet music, yearbooks, memorabilia, awards and awards show programs, music recordings, and ephemera related to Billy Armstrong's long career as a country music fiddle-player and singer. The bulk of contents are from 1960-1990 and relate to his performances as both a solo artist and band member.
- Biographical / historical:
-
Billy Armstrong was born William Russell Armstrong on 1930 March 18 in Streator, Illinois to Percival and Dorothy Steen Armstrong. His family relocated to Southern California in 1935.
He was encouraged to play violin by his mother who helped him practice while she played the piano. Armstrong also learned to play the sousaphone in school. He began his music career at age 13 playing the fiddle with the Dude Ranch Cowboys in Costa Mesa, California. At first, he preferred the big band music that was popular at the time, but country music soon became his passion.
He formed and played with many bands during his career, including the Westerners, the Western All Stars, Hi Busse and The Frontiersmen, Billy Armstrong and the Westernaires, Hometown Jamboree, Western Caravan, the Sons of the Pioneers, and the Chaparrel Brothers. Armstrong issued his first solo recording in 1959. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, Armstrong recorded three solo albums and toured extensively. He was well known for using electronic technology to manipulate his fiddle's sound. The Academy of Country Music named him "Fiddle Player Of The Year" for 13 successive years from 1965-1977. Armstrong lived in Southern California with his wife, Annetta, and had a daughter, Gale. Armstrong died in 2016.
References
Griffis, Ken. Hear My Song: the Story of the Celebrated Sons of the Pioneers. Northglen, Colorado, Norken, 2001.
Larkin, Colin. "Armstrong Billy." The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Oxford University Press, 2009. Oxford Reference. Date Accessed 11 Mar. 2024
Stone, Dave. "Camarillo man fiddles with the best." Ventura County (Calif) Star-Free Press. January 8, 1982.
- Acquisition information:
- Gift from the family of Billy Armstrong, 2016.
- Processing information:
-
Processing and finding aid by Molly Smith, 2024.
- Arrangement:
-
The collection is arranged into four series:
1. Clipping files, 1969-2001
2. Personal papers, promotional materials, and memorabilia, 1930-2003
3. Photographs, 1930-2010
4. Country music recordings, 1970-2000
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Indexed terms
About this collection guide
- Date Encoded:
- This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2024-05-21 23:33:39 +0000 .
Access and use
- Restrictions:
-
Appointments to view materials are required. To make an appointment please visit https://theautry.org/research-collections/library-and-archives and fill out the Researcher Application Form.
- Terms of access:
-
Copyright has not been assigned to the Autry Museum of the American West. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Library and Archives at the Autry. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Autry Museum of the American West as the custodian of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.
- Preferred citation:
-
Billy Armstrong Papers, 1930-2016, Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles; MSA.59; [folder number] [folder title][date].
- Location of this collection:
-
4700 Western Heritage WayLos Angeles, CA 90027, US
- Contact:
- (747) 201-8448