Title: John Miles Gospel Music Radio Program, c.1950s-1964
Extent: 2.0 MS boxes
Arrangement:
The collection is arranged as follows:
Box 1: Print Materials: Photographs, Interview Transcripts; Recordings in open-reel format
Box 2: Listening copies of recording in audio CD format
Subjects: Gospel music -- Kentucky., Gospel musicians -- Kentucky., Melody Five., Prichard Quartet., Radio programs -- Kentucky., WBVL (Radio Station: Barbourville, Ky.).
Languages: English
The Prichard Quartet and the Melody Five gospel singing groups from Whitley County were jointly organized by Chester Prichard and John Miles who both worked as barbers in Barbourville, Knox County, Kentucky. The Prichard Quartet at various times was comprised of Chester Prichard, John Miles, Clifford Miller, Anna Prichard, and Ruby Parton. The Melody Five included Chester, Anna, and Jaola Prichard, and Chester and Roberta Bryant. Both were accompanied on piano by Janice Lundy.
The groups were among the many amateur gospel efforts that were an integral part of Kentucky's local music culture and thriving gospel scene during the twentieth century. They did not make commercial recordings but were heard weekly on Barbourville, Kentucky radio station WBVL during the late 1950s and early 1960s. They also sang frequently at local church and community singing events in Knox and Whitley Counties, Kentucky.
Gospel music -- Kentucky.
Gospel musicians -- Kentucky.
Melody Five.
Prichard Quartet.
Radio programs -- Kentucky.
WBVL (Radio Station: Barbourville, Ky.).
Repository: Berea College Special Collections and Archives Catalog
Access Restrictions: Records can be accessed through the Reading Room, Berea College Special Collections and Archives, Hutchins Library, Berea College.
Use Restrictions: There are no restrictions on use of this material other than federal copyright regulations.
Preferred Citation: [Object identification], John Miles Gospel Music Radio Program Collection 1950s - 1960s, Berea College Special Collections & Archives, Berea, KY.
Processing Information: The collection was processed by Harry Rice, Sound Archivist. The finding aid updated by Harry Rice and Lori Myers-Steele, Collections Archivist, in 2015 and updated in February 2016. Links to recordings added 2019.
Other Note: Collection Number: BCA 0126 SAA 126
Photographs: Prichard's Quartet, WBVL Barbourville, KY. Members identified on back of photograph.
Oral History Transcript: Interview of Jaola Prichard Siler by Harry Rice on July 29, 2008. Read Transcript
Listen to Interview Recording Side A Listen to Interview Recording Side B
Prichard Gospel Quartet and the Melody Five broadcast recordings on Barbourville, KY radio station WBVL (later WYWY), [Late 1950s / early 1960s]. Side A - Radio - Side B- Rehearsal. (Collected by Will Sears from Jaola Prichard Siler- Appalachian Music Fellowship 2008)
Prichard Gospel Quartet and the Melody Five broadcast recordings on Barbourville, KY radio station WBVL (later WYWY), [Late 1950s / early 1960s] Side A Only - Radio except last track. Side B is blank. (Donated by John Miles’ Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008) [tape labeled “Radio Station good Prichard Melody 5] [Box labeled ‘this is Chester Prichard’s]
Prichard Gospel Quartet and the Melody Five broadcast recordings on Barbourville, KY radio station WBVL (later WYWY), [Late 1950s / early 1960s]. Side A - Radio & some home recordings. Side B Rehearsals. (Donated by John Miles’ Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008) [tape labeled ‘Radio Station No 1 Best’][Box labeled ‘Radio Station No 1 / 1 Milton / Track No. 2 Church of God / John Miles / Prichard Quartette]
Prichard Gospel Quartet and the Melody Five broadcast recordings on Barbourville, KY radio station WBVL (later WYWY), [Late 1950s / early 1960s]. Side A - Radio - Side B - Home recordings. Donated by John Miles' Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008) [Tape labeled 'Radio Station IV' / 'Lola & Ray talking'] [Home Recordings, solo and duet singing]
Miles family home and church recordings. [Late 1950s / early 1960s] Sides A & B. [Box labeled ‘Bob & Charles’] [Card in box ‘Start Jaola Prichard / Pretty Singer / 81) Mansion over Hell (illegible) / (little girl) / 123 - E. L. speech / 222 - girls voices / 240 - Joyce children]. (Donated by John Miles’ Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008). (Prichard Gospel Quartet and the Melody Five)
Miles family home and church recordings. [Late 1950s / early 1960s] Sides A & B. [Box labeled ‘Bob & Charles’] [Card in box ‘Start Jaola Prichard / Pretty Singer / 81) Mansion over Hell (illegible) / (little girl) / 123 - E. L. speech / 222 - girls voices / 240 - Joyce children]. (Donated by John Miles’ Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008). (Prichard Gospel Quartet and the Melody Five)[Box and reel labeled ‘Preacher Ellis / No 410 John B. Speech / No 460 Steve speech / Let Not your heart be troubled]
Miles family home and church recordings. [Late 1950s / early 1960s]. Sides A and B. [Reel labeled "Do Not Record this side (Side 1) / "Record this Side / Fun Tape (Side 2)"] (Donated by John Miles’ Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008). (Prichard Gospel Quartet and the Melody Five)
Side A only - Side B is blank - Radio and home recordings. (Donated by John Miles’ Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008). [Reel labeled “Prichard Quartette/No 1 this side record (backwards)] [Cards in box “Radio Station No 3 / Do Bottom portion Fun” “June 8, 1956”] (Donated by John Miles’ Daughters, Carol Frelin and Lola Oliver 10-2008)
