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This collection has use restrictions. For details, please see the restrictions.
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held in the Wilson Library at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in our reading room, and not digitally available through the World Wide Web. See the FAQ section for more information.
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Collection Overview
| Size | 8.0 feet of linear shelf space (approximately 4050 items) |
| Abstract | Betty Johnson was born on 16 March 1929 in Guilford County, N.C. As a child, Johnson traveled throughout the South as a member of the Johnson Family Singers, a gospel and popular music group. Betty Johnson's solo career as a pop-standard and cabaret singer took off in 1954 when she joined the Csida-Grean management company. Throughout the 1950s, Johnson recorded songs, appeared on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club radio show, and performed on various television shows. From 1957 to 1962 she was a cast member of Jack Parr's Tonight Show in New York, N.Y. Betty Johnson stopped performing in 1964 when she married New York City investment banker Arthur Gray Jr. and moved to New Hampshire. In 1993, Johnson re-entered show business with a cabaret act at The Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel in New York. In the mid-1990s, she launched her own record label, Bliss Tavern Records, based in Haverhill, N.H., which distributes new and re-released records by Betty Johnson, her daughters Lydia and Elizabeth Gray, and the Johnson Family Singers. The collection consists of manuscript and published orchestral scores of popular songs; drafts and an audiobook version of Betty Johnson's autobiography, In Her Own Words; a complete discography; a small amount of correspondence, chiefly between Betty Johnson and her brother Kenneth Johnson regarding acquisition of rare recordings for deposit into the Southern Folklife Collection; commercially produced music recordings of Betty Johnson's singles, albums, demonstration samples, associated compilations, and a few radio programs featuring Johnson; and published non-fiction books, chiefly regarding popular music and the performing arts, that mention or relate to Betty Johnson. |
| Creator | Johnson, Betty, 1929- |
| Language | English |
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Information For Users
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Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
Clicking on a subject heading below will take you into the University Library's online catalog.
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Biographical
Information
Betty Johnson was born on 16 March 1929 in Guilford County, N.C. As a child, Johnson was a member of the Johnson Family Singers, a gospel and popular music group that included her father Jesse Deverin ("Pa") Johnson, mother Lydia Florence ("Ma") Craven, and her three brothers, Kenneth Marshall Johnson and twins Bob and Jim Johnson. The family had a contract with WBT AM radio, a CBS affiliate in Charlotte, N.C., from 1938 to 1951.
Betty Johnson embarked on a solo career as a pop-standard and cabaret singer in 1952, and joined the Csida-Grean management company, which also handled the careers of Eddy Arnold and Bobby Darin, in 1954. After recording songs with Columbia Records (1951-1952), Bell Records (1954), and RCA-Victor Records (1955), Johnson moved to Chicago, Ill., to appear on Don McNeill's Breakfast Club radio show. The show led to a contract with the small record company Bally Records, on which she released her first hit song, "I Dreamed," in 1956. Throughout the late 1950s, Johnson performed on television on the Ed Sullivan Show, Eddy Arnold Time, and as a spokesperson for Borden milk, before joining the cast of Jack Parr's Tonight Show in New York, N.Y., from 1957 to 1962. In 1957, Johnson signed a contract with Atlantic Records and recorded the Billboard chart-topping song "Little Blue Man" and several other hits with the label.
Betty Johnson was married three times. In 1949, she married Dick Redding and had a son, Harold Richard ("Dicky") Redding; the couple divorced in 1954. In 1957, Johnson married the producer Charles Grean; the couple divorced in 1961. In 1964, after marrying New York City investment banker Arthur Gray Jr., Johnson stopped performing and moved to New Hampshire to raise a family and attend college.
In 1993, Johnson re-entered show business with a cabaret act at The Oak Room at The Algonquin Hotel in New York City. The performance, and a subsequent interview on National Public Radio's Fresh Air, galvanized renewed public interest in Johnson's music. In the mid-1990s, Johnson launched her own record label, Bliss Tavern Records, based in Haverhill, N.H., which distributes new and re-released records by Johnson, her daughters Lydia Gray and Elizabeth Gray, and the Johnson Family Singers.
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Scope and Content
The collection consists of manuscript and published orchestral scores of popular songs; drafts and an audiobook version of Betty Johnson's autobiography, In Her Own Words; a complete discography; a small amount of correspondence, chiefly between Betty Johnson and her brother Kenneth Johnson regarding acquisition of rare recordings for deposit into the Southern Folklife Collection; commercially-produced music recordings of Betty Johnson's singles, albums, demonstration samples, associated compilations, and a few radio programs featuring Johnson; and published non-fiction books, chiefly regarding popular music and the performing arts, that mention or relate to Betty Johnson.
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Series Quick Links
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Series 1. Papers, 1947-2012.
Arrangement: Alphabetical.
Manuscript and published orchestral arrangements of popular songs; drafts and audiobook version of Betty Johnson's autobiography, In Her Own Words; a complete discography; diplomas; a small amount of correspondence; and other materials.
| Folder 1 |
Correspondence, 2012 #20408, Series: "1. Papers, 1947-2012." Folder 1Correspondence between Betty Johnson and Kenneth Johnson, chiefly regarding the acquisition of rare Johnson Family Singers recordings for deposit into the Southern Folklife Collection; also includes a fan letter and letters from music royalty distribution company CD Baby. |
| Folder 2 |
Diplomas, 1947 and 1980 #20408, Series: "1. Papers, 1947-2012." Folder 2From Harding High School in Charlotte, N.C., and the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H. |
| Folder 3 |
Discography, 2012 #20408, Series: "1. Papers, 1947-2012." Folder 3Prepared by Kenneth Johnson. |
| Folder 4-8 |
Enclosures from books, 1997, 2009, 2012 #20408, Series: "1. Papers, 1947-2012." Folder 4-8Chiefly clippings and short letters regarding the books; there is also a packing list of books donated to the Southern Folklife Collection, 2012 (Folder 6). |
| Music Compact Disc CD_10139 |
In Her Own Words, 2007 #20408, Series: "1. Papers, 1947-2012." CD_10139Audiobook version, comprised of eight compact discs, of Betty Johnson's autobiography, narrated by the author and intercut with musical tracks by Johnson and the Johnson Family Singers. Enclosures separated: See folder 8. |
| Folder 9-19 |
In Her Own Words, drafts, circa 2003-2005 #20408, Series: "1. Papers, 1947-2012." Folder 9-19Three draft manuscripts of Betty Johnson's autobiography. Version one includes Betty Johnson's discography, 2003 emails from former WBT radio employee Jack Burney, and obituaries of unknown relationship to the collection for Kenneth O. Jones and Denise Grey. Suggestions for tracks by Johnson and the Johnson Family Singers, to be included in the audiobook, are scattered throughout the manuscripts. |
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Series 2. Scores, 1957-1959 and undated.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by title.
Chiefly manuscript orchestral arrangements by Betty Johnson, Jack Andrews, Joe Lipman, Charles Grean, Luther Henderson, and others, of gospel and popular songs. There is a small amount of published sheet music. Also included are packing lists from Betty Johnson's mailed donations to the Southern Folklife Collection that list the song titles included in each shipment and the folders she used for storing scores for performances.
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Series 3. Music Recordings, 1954-2007 and undated.
Arrangement follows discography prepared by Kenneth Johnson, 2012 (see folder 3).
Commercially-produced recordings, including 45s, 78s, 12-inch and 16-inch transcription discs, 12-inch lacquers, and compact discs. Except where noted, all recordings are by Betty Johnson. The recordings are chiefly singles and demonstration samples, with a few albums, compilations, and radio program transcriptions.
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Subseries 3.1. Bell Records, New York, N.Y., 1954.
| Audiodisc 78_19281 |
"Cuddle Me," 1954 #20408, Subseries: "3.1. Bell Records, New York, N.Y., 1954." 78_1928178 rpm released by Music Hall Records, Argentina. |
| Audiodisc 45_9231 |
Rendezvous with Betty Johnson, 1954 #20408, Subseries: "3.1. Bell Records, New York, N.Y., 1954." 45_923145 rpm released by Varieton, Germany. |
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Subseries 3.2. Bally Records, Chicago, Ill., circa 1956-1957.
| Audiodisc 78_19282 |
"1492"/"Little White Lies," circa 1956-1957 #20408, Subseries: "3.2. Bally Records, Chicago, Ill., circa 1956-1957." 78_1928278 rpm |
| Audiodisc 45_9226 |
"I'm Beginning to Wonder"/"The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love," circa 1956-1957 #20408, Subseries: "3.2. Bally Records, Chicago, Ill., circa 1956-1957." 45_922645 rpm released by London Records, Australia. |
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Subseries 3.3. Atlantic Records, New York, N.Y., 1958-1960.
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Subseries 3.4. Other Labels, 1954-1963.
| Audiodisc 78_19283 |
"The Touch," from the film Touchez Pas Au Grisbi, 1954 #20408, Subseries: "3.4. Other Labels, 1954-1963." 78_1928378 rpm from Duchess BMI, France. |
| Audiodisc FD_1297 |
"The Story of Betty's Goose," recorded 5 December 1955 #20408, Subseries: "3.4. Other Labels, 1954-1963." FD_129712-inch lacquer transcription disc from NBC and American Broadcasting Company, New York, N.Y. |
| Audiodisc FD_1294 |
"Candid Camera," 1962 #20408, Subseries: "3.4. Other Labels, 1954-1963." FD_129412-inch lacquer from Fine Recording, Inc., New York, N.Y. |
| Audiodisc 45_9234 |
"Wednesday's Child"/"What's the Matter Little Girl," 1963 #20408, Subseries: "3.4. Other Labels, 1954-1963." 45_923445 rpm from World Artists Records/Dutch CNR Records, Netherlands. |
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Subseries 3.5. Betty Johnson's Retirement Career, 1997-2007.
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Subseries 3.6. Other Compact Disc Releases, 1999-2005 and undated.
| Music Compact Disc CD_10141 |
Early Girls, Volume 4, 2005 #20408, Subseries: "3.6. Other Compact Disc Releases, 1999-2005 and undated." CD_10141From ACE Records, United Kingdom; includes "Little White Lies," by Betty Johnson, 1957. |
| Music Compact Disc CD_10142 |
Hard to Find 45s on CD: Volume 3, The Mid-Fifties, 1999 #20408, Subseries: "3.6. Other Compact Disc Releases, 1999-2005 and undated." CD_10142From Eric Records, San Leandro, Calif; includes "Frankie Laine" and "The Tarriers," by Betty Johnson. |
| Music Compact Disc CD_10140 |
Creatures from Outerspace!, undated #20408, Subseries: "3.6. Other Compact Disc Releases, 1999-2005 and undated." CD_10140Includes The Little Blue Man by Betty Johnson; produced by Canetoad Records, Australia. |
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Subseries 3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated.
Includes Department of Defense and Treasury Department releases.
| Audiodisc TR_1380 |
Armed Forces Radio and Television Service Station Library (Department of Defense), Betty Johnson, undated #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." TR_138016-inch transcription disc from the Office of Armed Forces Information and Education, Department of Defense. One side contains Betty Johnson performing "Hoopa Hoola," "The Song You Heard When You Fell in Love," "How Much," "One More Time," and "Dream," with Charles Grean and his orchestra; and "I'm Beginning to Wonder" with the Lew Douglas Orchestra. The flip side contains Mindy Carson. |
| Audiodisc TR_1382 |
"Guest Star," 26 October 1958 #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." TR_138216-inch transcription disc of radio recording number 605, from the Treasury Department, U.S. Savings Bonds Division. Songs listed on the original sleeve are "Dream" and "Mr. Brown is Out of Town," by Betty Johnson, and "It Never Entered My Mind" and "You're Mine You," by Jane Russell. |
| Audiodisc TR_1381 |
"Guest Star," 11 November 1962 #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." TR_138116-inch transcription disc of a radio recording from the Treasury Department, U.S. Savings Bonds Division. |
| Audiodisc FD_1295 |
Stars for Defense, program number 73 with Betty Johnson, 17 January, 1958 #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." FD_129512-inch lacquer transcription disc from Gotham Recording Company, New York, N.Y. |
| Audiodisc TR/12_544 |
Stars for Defense, program number 250 with Betty Johnson, 16 July 1961 #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." TR/12_54412-inch transcription disc from the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. The flip side contains program number 249 with Johnny Mercer, 9 July 1961. |
| Audiodisc TR/12_545 |
Stars for Defense, program number 337 with Betty Johnson, 17 March 1963 #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." TR/12_54512-inch transcription disc from the Office of Civil Defense. Hand-written notation on the original sleeve indicates that the disc includes the Betty Johnson songs "Who Cares," "How Little We Know," "Wake Up," and "My Favorite Things." The flip side contains program number 338 with the Buffalo Bills, 24 March 1963, including the songs "Two Blue Pigeons," "Your Eyes Have Told Me So," "Riverboat Shuffle," and "You Don't Need Her." |
| Audiodisc FD_1296 |
Stars for Defense, program number 375 with Betty Johnson, 5 November 1963 #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." FD_129612-inch lacquer transcription disc from Gotham Recording Company, New York, N.Y. |
| Audiodisc TR/12_546 |
Stars for Defense, program number 539 with Betty Johnson, 5 February 1967 #20408, Subseries: "3.7. Miscellaneous, 1958-1967 and undated." TR/12_54612-inch transcription disc from the Office of Civil and Defense Mobilization. The flip side contains program number 540 with Arthur Prysock, 12 February 1967. |
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Series 4. Published Books, 1993-2012.
Arrangement: Alphabetical by title.
Published non-fiction books that refer or relate to Betty Johnson. Topics are chiefly popular music and the performing arts. A few books are signed by the authors.
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Items Separated
Processed by: Sara Mannheimer, October 2012
Encoded by: Sara Mannheimer, October 2012
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