Francis Craig papers, 1925-2003.
(Document/manuscript/pamphlet/archival material)

Organized into the following series: I. Business Documents; II. Personal Correspondence; III. Music; IV. Clippings; V. Photos; VI. 78 RPM Recordings; VII. Audiocassettes; VIII. Artifacts.

Materials housed in the Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

In library use only.

Scope and content: Print, photos, manuscript and audio materials document the career of Nashville's big band maestro Francis Craig (1900-1966)--composer, pianist, recording star and long-time Hermitage Hotel bandleader.

Cite as: Francis Craig Papers, Special Collections Division, Nashville Public Library.

The Nashville Public Library retains intellectual property rights to this collection except for printed and recorded music, which is still under copyright to original recording and publishing companies.

Gift;,Donia Craig Dickerson;,2002;,Acc. RT-116.

Related materials are found at Vanderbilt University Special Collections.

Francis Craig (1900-1966), ninth of ten children born to a Methodist minister, began his musical career as pianist and bandleader at Vanderbilt University in the early 1920s. Craig was featured on WSM's inaugural broadcast (October 5, 1925), and then in regular broadcasts from the Hermitage Hotel where his was the house band for over 20 years. WSM later sent Craig's music over the airwaves on the "Rhythm Symphony," "Sunday Down South," and "The Francis Craig Serenade," a regular NBC feature for 12 years. He first recorded for Columbia Records in 1925 and toured seasonally with his orchestra for much of the 1930s. Craig wrote Vanderbilt's fight song "Dynamite" in 1938, and his orchestra broadcasts and tours helped launch the careers of Dinah Shore, Snooky Lanson, and James Melton. In 1947, he enjoyed a career renaissance with the huge hit "Near You," cut for Nashville's Bullet Records, as was its popular followup, "Beg Your Pardon." Retired shortly after these hits had run their course, Craig died November 19, 1966.

Finding aid available in repository;,folder level control,https://assets.library.nashville.org/documents/finding-aids/Special_Collections_Division_Finding_Aid_Craig.pdf.

Collection compiled during and after Craig's lifetime, with the earliest materials passing from Craig's widow to his daughter, Donia Craig Dickerson. Entire collection was in her possession at the time of donation.

Process;,2006;,Ronnie Pugh.

Book jacket image digital identifier: craig - near you