Category Archives: Music History

“The Blood-Stained Book”: Murder Ballads of the Johnson County War

Posted on September 7, 2026 by ahcadmin

Post contributed by AHC Audiovisual Archivist Jessica LaBozetta. In Jessica’s free time, she enjoys playing traditional folk music and bluegrass in her community. The author would like to extend a special thanks to the wonderful librarians at the Johnson County … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, American West, Johnson County, Livestock industry, Local Folklore, Music History, outlaws, Uncategorized, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Nat King Cole They Knew 

Posted on April 13, 2026 by ahcadmin

When Nat Cole was a teenager in Chicago, he couldn’t always afford to get into the clubs where the great jazz pianists played. So he found another way in. His first wife, Nadine, recalled that he would slip around to the alley behind the … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections Highlights, Music History, Racism | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

“I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”: The Enduring Appeal of a Holiday Hit

Posted on December 22, 2025 by ahcadmin

As we enter the holiday season, it’s nearly impossible to escape the sounds of holiday standards warbling through PA systems and speakers wherever you go. Holiday music is an incredibly lucrative industry with a wide-ranging and enduring appeal, and many … Continue reading →

Posted in Collections Highlights, Holidays, Music History, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

At the Copa: Antonio Morelli and the Musical Legacy of Mid-Century Las Vegas

Posted on June 2, 2025 by ahcadmin

You know what they say: What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But then, what is the American Heritage Center of Wyoming doing with personally autographed photos from the likes of Nat King Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin? … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment history, Music History, Performing Arts, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Take it away, John Scott”: John Scott Trotter and the Kraft Music Hall

Posted on March 31, 2025 by ahcadmin

Aside from being an effective tool for advertising, as explored in On the Air and in the Aisles, Kraft Music Hall (KMH) owed much of its enduring appeal to the caliber of musical performances and the talent behind them. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Entertainment history, Music History, Performing Arts, radio history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment