Reviewed by: Pat Byington
How Bham Music Archive is preserving Magic City music history
Over the past year and a half, Travis Morgan has been collecting photos of local bands, posters and flyers from Birmingham venues, (recording studios, radio stations, record stores), ephemera, oral history and more to help tell the story of Birmingham’s music history.
Bham Now met with Travis to learn more about this project, Bham Music Archive.
Have Birmingham music history that you’d like to share? Reach out to Travis and the team at the website or travis@bhammusicarchive.com.
The need to archive Birmingham’s music history
When you think of cities associated with music, Birmingham isn’t top of mind. Nashville—Music City USA—certainly is, as is Muscle Shoals—home of the famed “Muscle Shoals Sound.”
However, Birmingham does have an extensive history with music—and Travis Morgan is determined to document it.
A Birmingham native, Travis has been involved with the local music scene for decades. For example, he co-founded the local independent record label Skybucket Records in 2002 and co-founded Secret Stages in 2011.
“When I was coming up in the Birmingham music scene, I always felt that there was a lot of local talent that didn’t get talked about.
Over the years, I’ve witnessed the local brewery scene and the culinary scene turn into aspects of the city that people celebrate; I’d like for people to celebrate the Birmingham music scene as they become more familiar with its history.”
Travis Morgan, Bham Music Archive
Recently, Travis discovered the need for a local music archive when researching a local musician for a personal project.
“I didn’t set out to create a Bham Music Archive, but it became a necessity. I was working on a project about a drastically underrated local songwriter, but I couldn’t find much information about him.
I kept thinking how great it would be for people to have a resource where they could find this information.”
Travis Morgan, Bham Music Archive
Growing the Bham Music Archive collection, one interview at a time
In late 2022, Travis started interviewing people involved in the Birmingham music scene, from musicians and recording engineers to promoters and concert photographers. Travis has interviewed hundreds of people, with the majority involved from the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.
“I discover new things about Birmingham’s music history every week. For example, the co-writer of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ was Hugh Martin, a guy from Birmingham. I think there is a lot about Birmingham’s music history that people should be proud of.”
Travis Morgan, Bham Music Archive
The collection has only grown from there.
“When I’d meet up with interviewees, they’d show me their scrapbooks and memorabilia from back in the day. I bought a flatbed scanner and started scanning hundreds upon hundreds of concert photos, behind-the-scenes images, promotional posters, letters and sheet music—anything that is relevant musically.”
Travis Morgan, Bham Music Archive
Of course, Travis is passionate about preserving the music itself, too.
“We’ve been very fortunate to uncover several sizeable collections of local music that was recorded here in Birmingham. I’ve linked up with local recording studios to get these collections digitized.”
Travis Morgan, Bham Music Archive
What’s next for the Bham Music Archive + how you can help grow the archive
While Travis does have some physical items related to Birmingham music, the majority of the collection is digital. Ultimately, he aims to make the Bham Music Archive a collection available at a public institution as a research tool.
“The Bham Music Archive is a long-term project, and I don’t think it will ever be truly finished. For me, the goal is to create something that can move past me when I am gone.”
Travis Morgan, Bham Music Archive
After 1.5 years of independent research, Travis recently launched a website for the Bham Music Archive, which he hopes will help people contact him to share resources related to Birmingham’s music history.
“My intention is to showcase that this archive is not all about me. I’d love to tout the efforts of Kelly Schiff who has been indispensable and has donated so many hours of her time volunteering to help the organization.
I’d love to give a major nod to Don Tinsley for without him this project wouldn’t have happened at all.
I would also like to point out that there is a groundswell of other folks doing important work in the community to document music history including Burgin Mathews of the Southern Music Research Center, folk artist and storyteller Craig Legg, Bryant Saxon of Earth Libraries and local music aficionado Lee Shook.”
Travis Morgan, Bham Music Archive
Have Birmingham music history that you’d like to share? Reach out to Travis and the team at the website or travis@bhammusicarchive.com.
