Title: Walter McNew Collection, 1930-1993
Extent: 6.0 Boxes (General)
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as follows:
Original recordings in open reel, video tape and cassette tape formats (Boxes 1-3)
Reference copies of select recording in CD and DVD formats (Boxes 4-6)
Languages: English [eng]
Walter McNew (1912 - 1998) inherited his knowledge of, and love for, shape note singing from his father, John G. McNew who was a fiddler, singing school teacher, and telegraph operator for the L&N Railroad in Rockcastle and Madison counties of Kentucky.
The earliest of his recordings were made by Walter and his siblings on reel-to-reel tape. These recordings document both Walter alone and as part of a family gospel quartet with siblings, Astor, Homer, and Bernice (Branaman).
The solo recordings, made by Walter in the early 1970s, are of his old-time fiddling and shape note hymns using a homemade system of "overdubbing" which allowed him to record his voice in two or three harmonizing parts. For fiddle instrumental pieces, he used this system to accompany himself on the guitar.
Much of his fiddle repertoire came from the playing of his father and Madison County fiddlers, Doc Roberts and Van Kidwell. Other likely influences are musicians he played with while in the Civilian Conservation Corps, in various fiddle contests, and on stage and radio at the nearby Renfro Valley county music enterprise.
The quartet recordings, made in the early 1960s were made mostly in the Wilde Christian church, both with and without organ accompaniment. Some of these recordings were used on "The Lifeline Hour" radio program conducted by Rev. Homer McNew on station WRVK in Renfro Valley, Kentucky.
This collection consists of audio and video recordings documenting the fiddling and gospel singing traditions of Walter McNew from Rockcastle County, Kentucky.
Also included in the collection is a scrapbook containing photographs and other items documenting McNew's time in the Civilian Conservation Corps at Camp Carson River in Fallon, NV during 1937.
Accruals: Reel-to-reel recordings were loaned to archivist, Steve Green, for copying in September, 1992. Later audio and video recordings in this collection were made or collected by family members and Steve Green at various times in the 1980s and 1990s. Harry Rice borrowed several of the original reels copied in 1992 from Mark McNew in 2010 for digitizing. The resultant digital files are AC-OR-198-020 through AC-OR-198-030.
Access Restrictions: Follow the links in the recordings list to hear performances and interviews. Records can also be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College. Some recordings are available online.
Use Restrictions: There are no restrictions on use of this material other than federal copyright regulations.
Preferred Citation: [Object identification], Walther McNew Collection, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Berea, KY.
Processing Information: The collection was arranged by Harry Rice, Sound Archivist. The finding aid was created in August 2015 by Harry Rice and Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist.
Other Note: Collection Number: BCA 0136 SAA 136
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green & Bruce Greene, 10/06/1990.
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green & Bruce Greene, 10/06/1990.
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green, with John Harrod and Guthrie "Gus" Meade, 1990 1 of 3
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green, with John Harrod and Guthrie "Gus" Meade, 1990 2 of 3
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green, with John Harrod and Guthrie "Gus" Meade, 1990 3 of 3
Self recorded Fiddle tunes
Self recorded sacred songs
Self recorded popular songs
Self recorded old favorite songs
Self recorded shape note hymns
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [1 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [2 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [3 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [4 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [5 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs and oldtime fiddle tunes performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [6 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of oldtime fiddle tunes performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. [7 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [8 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992. [moderate wow/flutter on beginning of cassette - jb]
Self recordings of oldtime fiddle tunes performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. [9 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
Self recordings of shape note gospel songs and oldtime fiddle tunes performed by McNew at home in the early 1970s. Many of the shape note hymns are "overdubbed" (by Mr. McNew) as duets and trios. [10 of 10] Dubbed from McNew's original reels in September, 1992.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 1]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 2] [SEE AC-OR-198-019 in Index Master for contents]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 3] [SEE AC-OR-198-020 in Index Master for contents]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 4] [SEE AC-OR-198-021 in Index Master for contents]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 5] [SEE AC-OR-198-022 in Index Master for contents]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 6] [SEE AC-OR-198-023 in Index Master for contents]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 7] [SEE AC-OR-198-024 in Index Master for contents]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 9] [SEE AC-OR-198-025 in Index Master for contents]
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette from original reels in July, 1993. [Original Reel No. 10]
Self recordings of fiddle tunes and instrumental songs, played as duets, 1986. Duets acheived by over-dubbing self.
Self recordings of fiddle tunes and instrumental songs, 1992.
Self recordings of fiddle tunes and instrumental songs, played as duets, 1986. Duets acheived by over-dubbing self.
Self recordings - Side A Ernie Lee, Peanut Payne, Walter, and Sam / Side B McNew sings duets and trios with himself by "overdubbing." [original tape speed slow, adjusted half step up for transfer - jb]
"Walter McNew: Blackjack Grove" Oldtime Fiddle solos from Rockcastle County, Kentucky. Cassette Tape AC 005 produced by the Berea College Appalachian Center.
RADIO PROGRAM: Sounds of the South, WUNC Chapel Hill, NC 4-23-94. Stephen Green interviewed re: Kentucky folk artists including fiddlers Walter McNew & Roger Cooper, Harmonica player John Lozier, poet Ed Ward and singer / fiddler Dewey Shepherd with representative recordings.
Walter McNew fiddle tune recordings dubbed to reel-to-reel from cassettes recorded by Lewis Lamb in 1984.
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 16, 1992. 1 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 16, 1992. 2 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 16, 1992. 3 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 16, 1992. 4 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 16, 1992. 5 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 19, 1992. 6 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 19, 1992. 7 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 19, 1992. 8 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 19, 1992. 9 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, July 19, 1992. 10 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27, 1992. 11 of 16 (No Titles Given)
Fiddle tunes with banjo accompaniment recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27, 1992. 12 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27, 1992. 13 of 16 (No Titles Given)
Fiddle tunes with guitar accompaniment recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27, 1992. 14 of 16
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27, 1992. 15 of 16 (No Titles Given)
Fiddle tunes recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27, 1992. 16 of 16. (Three fiddle tunes and talking about playing style / repertoire)
Several takes of spoken introduction recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27. 17 of 18
Several takes of spoken introduction recorded by Stephen Green at Mount Vernon, KY, September 27, 1992. 18 of 18
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette AC-CT-337-012 from original reels in July, 1993. [McNew Original Reel No. 2] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette AC-CT-337-013 from original reels in July, 1993. [McNew Original Reel No. 3] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette AC-CT-337-014 from original reels in July, 1993. [McNew Original Reel No. 4] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette AC-CT-337-015 from original reels in July, 1993. [McNew Original Reel No. 5] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette AC-CT-337-016 from original reels in July, 1993. [McNew Original Reel No. 6] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette AC-CT-337-017 from original reels in July, 1993. [McNew Original Reel No. 7] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). Music recorded originally for "The Lifeline Hour," a religious program on WRVK, Renfro Valley, KY, early 1960s. Dubbed to cassette AC-CT-337-018 from original reels in July, 1993. [McNew Original Reel No. 9] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew) on Side A. [Contains dubs of material from AC-OR-198-024 / 025 / 027 / 030]. Side B includes some fiddle tunes and quartet numbers and several recordings of various railroad steam locomotives. [McNew Original Reel 6A] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). [McNew Original Reel 11] Digitized 2010.
Estill McGuire [first cousin] and Walter McNew playing secular tunes and songs on guitar and fiddle. [McNew Original Reel 12] Digitized 2010.
Side A: Estill McGuire [first cousin] and Walter McNew playing secular tunes and songs on guitar and fiddle. Side B Sacred songs with Homer McNew and Astor McNew. [duplicates some material on AC-OR-198-028-A] [McNew Original Reel 13] Digitized 2010.
McNew Brothers: Self recordings of shape note sacred quartet singing by family group (Walter, Astor, Bernice, & Homer McNew). [McNew Original Reel 14] Digitized 2010.
Playing and Interview Recorded by Stephen Green, Rockcastle County KY 8-10- 91 1 of 2
Playing and Interview Recorded by Stephen Green, Rockcastle County KY 8-10- 91 2 of 2
Playing and Interview Recorded by , Oscar "Bucky" McNew, Rockcastle County KY 4-10-87. VHS and DVD copies of original VHS loaned by Walter's son, Michael "Mickey" McNew 1-2010.
Walter McNew / J.P. Fraley (Fiddlers) Playing and discussion recorded at Appalshop, Whitesburg, KY , 8-31-96. VHS and DVD copies of original Appalshop produced VHS loaned by Walter's son, Michael "Mickey" McNew 1-2010.
Walter McNew (fiddler) with Eric Eversole and other performers on stage at Appalshop, Whitesburg, KY, 8-31-96. VHS and DVD copies of original VHS-C recorded and loaned by Walter's son, Michael "Mickey" McNew 1-2010.
Walter McNew (fiddler) with Eric Eversole on guitar in fiddle workshop at Appalshop, Whitesburg, KY, 8-31-96. VHS and DVD copies of original VHS-C recorded and loaned by Walter's son, Michael "Mickey" McNew 1-2010.
Walter McNew (fiddler) Playing (fiddle and guitar) and Interview recorded by [Lisa McNew], Rockcastle County KY 8-21-93. VHS and DVD copies of original VHS-C loaned by Walter's son, Michael "Mickey" McNew 1-2010.
"Bound for the Promised Land" produced by Steve Green from his 1992 recordings of Walter McNew at his home in Rockcastle County, Kentucky. McNew sings from shape note song books, tells of learning to sing from his father and participating in singing schools at community churches while growing up.