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King Biscuit papers

King Biscuit papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: King Biscuit papers
Creator: Interstate Grocer Company
Inclusive Dates: 1939-2001
Language(s): English
Extent: 5.2 Linear Feet 4 document boxes, 1 carton, 1 oversized box
Collection Number: ms3355
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

King Biscuit Flour was distributed by Interstate Grocer Company in Helena, Arkansas. In 1941 Interstate began to sponsor a radio program, King Biscuit Time, on Station KFFA. The show had live blues performances by black musicians Sonny Boy Williamson, Robert Junior Lockwood, and others. Max Moore, owner of the company, wrote the scripts for the radio program. In 1947 the company introduced a new product, Sonny Boy Corn Meal, using Sonny Boy Wiliamson's image on the label. King Biscuit Time also toured local towns and grocery stores giving concerts and promoting their flour and cornmeal. In 1951 Sonny Payne became the host for the show. The show went off the air after Max Moore's death in 1979, but it was revived in 1986 and continues to be broadcast in 2009. KFFA won a Peabody Award in 1992 for the program as "a local music program of historic and contemporary interest." The King Biscuit Blues Festival, organized in 1986 in Helena, is one example of the influence of the radio show.

Scope and Content

The collection consists of correspondence, radio scripts, printed material, photographs, and artifacts.


Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

King Biscuit papers, ms3355, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The University of Georgia Libraries.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2010 April 15.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Blues festivals -- Arkansas.
Blues musicians -- Photographs.
Correspondence.
King Biscuit time (Radio program)
Lockwood, Robert, Jr., 1915-2006
Moore, Max, 1895-1979 -- Correspondence
Payne, John William, 1925-
Programs (documents)
Radio scripts.

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Correspondence

boxfolder
111939-1971
121972-1979
131984-1988
141992-1999
 

2. King Biscuit Time Radio Scripts and Advertising

boxfolder
15Radio scripts, 1941-1945
16Radio scripts, 1946
17Radio scripts, 1947 January-July
18Radio scripts, 1947 August-December
19Radio scripts, 1948 January-May
110Radio scripts, 1948 June-December
111Radio scripts, 1950
112Radio scripts, 1951
113Radio scripts, 1952 January-July
114Radio scripts, 1952 August-December
boxfolder
21Radio scripts, 1953
22Radio scripts, 1977
23Radio scripts, 1978 & nd
24Radio scripts-Christmas, 1944-1977
25Radio scripts-Thanksgiving, 1945-1955
26Advertising promotions, 1948-1955
27Advertising promotions, 1957-1964
28Advertising promotions, 1965-1975
 

3. Business Papers

boxfolder
29Employee list-Interstate Grocer Company, 1953
210Recipes
211Trademark
212General notes and papers
 

4. Printed Materials

boxfolder
213"Interstate News & Views", 1954-1955
214King Biscuit Blues Festival, 1987-2001
215"King Biscuit Times", 1992-1993
boxfolder
31King Biscuit Time banquet programs, 1940-1953
32King Biscuit Time performers and announcers
33Book-Blues from the Delta by William Ferris
34Book-Deep Blues by Robert Palmer
35Blues Unlimited magazine, 1971-1973
36Living Blues magazines, 1971-1989
37Miscellaneous, 1950-1999
 

5. Photographs

boxfolder
41Photographs
42King Biscuit Time performers, announcers
43King Biscuit Time 3115th broadcast, 1953
44King Biscuit Time tour
45King Biscuit Time tour
46King Biscuit Time tour
47King Biscuit Time tour
48King Biscuit Time tour
49King Biscuit Time tour
410King Biscuit Time tour, 1952
411King Biscuit Time tour, 1952
412Negatives
 

6. Artifacts and Oversize Materials

box
5Flour bags, aprons, hats with King Biscuit logo, T-shirt with Blues Unlimited logo
box
6Crayons with King Biscuit Flour logo
6Marriage announcement engraving plate-Estelle Newman to Dr. Gustone[?] Altman, 1910 June 7
6King Biscuit Blues Festival - poster, newspaper special sections, and metal medallion, 1987, 1989, 1993, 1998
6Atlanta Weekly newspaper special section with article "Blues Highways"
6Posters-King Biscuit Time & entertainers. Home of Sonny Boy Meal (with photograph) (4)
6King Biscuit Flour labels