Scope and Content Note
The collection predominantly covers early radio and television history in Shreveport, Louisiana; KWKH radio in the W.K. Henderson era; and the Louisiana Hayride years at KWKH radio. The Early Shreveport Radio and Television series provides special emphasis on the careers of Paul Carriger and William E. Antony (the latter was head engineer in the early days of WGAQ/KWKH). This is documented in ephemera, radio licenses, and published articles.
The KWKH Radio and W.K. Henderson series provides significant insight into early KWKH radio history and Henderson's personality and legal battles, as well as his financial struggles during the Great Depression. Several 78 rpm discs also document Henderson's original radio broadcasts. Ephemera relating to the Henderson Iron Works and early KWKH radio is of particular interest.
The KWKH Radio and the Louisiana Hayride series contains original program notes, posters, postcards, and ephemera related to Hayride performances. A group of tape reels in this series documents a sampling of live Louisiana Hayride performances from 1956-1961. Several LP and 78 rpm commercial recordings feature Louisiana Hayride performances from the primary and secondary runs. There are also over thirty transcription discs from the Hayrides's years as a syndicated radio program. There are also photographic prints (including some contacts prints and sheets) and negatives showing performers during the program's initial and secondary runs. A number of the photographs were taken by longtime Shreveport Times photographer Langston McEachern.
A separate series related to Elvis Presley's time at the Hayride is notable for its photographs of Presley at the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, both in performance on stage and interacting with staff and fans backstage.
Three additional series feature collection documentation prepared by the donor; a list of periodicals relating to radio enthusiasts, country music, and Shreveport life; and a group of songbooks and sheet music.