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Finding Aids to Official Records of the Smithsonian Institution Archives

Accession 06-099

Smithsonian Productions

Productions, 1998-1999

Repository:Smithsonian Institution Archives, Washington, D.C. Contact us at osiaref@si.edu.
Creator:Smithsonian Productions
Title:Productions
Dates:1998-1999
Quantity:2.5 cu. ft. (1 record storage box) (3 document boxes)
Collection:Accession 06-099
Language of Materials:English
Summary:

This accession documents the production of "The Mississippi: River of Song." Better known as "River of Song," this project combined a television series, radio series, and 2-disc compact disc. The project as a whole explores the richness and vitality of American music at the close of the twentieth century through live performances and intimate discussions with musicians along the course of the Mississippi River. The 4-part television series aired on the Public Broadcasting Service beginning in January 1999. It takes viewers on a musical journey from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the river's mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, creating a portrait of the American musician along the way. All scenes were shot live on location and feature musicians that represent the regional culture. The 7-part radio series aired on Public Radio International affiliates beginning in January 1999. The radio series is similar in content to the television series and is hosted by Ani DiFranco. The 2-CD set consists of 36 tracks of live recordings from 1995 through 1997. The CDs feature contemporary musicians who have forged their styles out of the rich musical heritage found along the banks of the Mississippi River. The CDs were distributed through Smithsonian Folkways beginning in 1998. Materials in this accession include originals, production masters, archives, narration, sound mixes, distribution copies, and promotional copies.

Descriptive Entry

This accession documents the production of "The Mississippi: River of Song." Better known as "River of Song," this project combined a television series, radio series, and 2-disc compact disc. The project as a whole explores the richness and vitality of American music at the close of the twentieth century through live performances and intimate discussions with musicians along the course of the Mississippi River. The 4-part television series aired on the Public Broadcasting Service beginning in January 1999. It takes viewers on a musical journey from the headwaters in northern Minnesota to the river's mouth in the Gulf of Mexico, creating a portrait of the American musician along the way. All scenes were shot live on location and feature musicians that represent the regional culture. The 7-part radio series aired on Public Radio International affiliates beginning in January 1999. The radio series is similar in content to the television series and is hosted by Ani DiFranco. The 2-CD set consists of 36 tracks of live recordings from 1995 through 1997. The CDs feature contemporary musicians who have forged their styles out of the rich musical heritage found along the banks of the Mississippi River. The CDs were distributed through Smithsonian Folkways beginning in 1998. Materials in this accession include originals, production masters, archives, narration, sound mixes, distribution copies, and promotional copies. Additional and detailed information about these productions may be found at The River of Song Project website at http://www.pbs.org/riverofsong/.

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Access Restriction

Restrictions pertaining to the use of these materials may apply (based on contracts/copyright). Access restrictions may also apply if viewing/listening copies are not currently available. Viewing/listening copies can be made for a fee. Contact reference staff for details.

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Preferred Citation

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Accession 06-099, Smithsonian Productions, Productions

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Container List

Box 1

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 101: "American Old and New," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, 11/25/1998, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 101: "American Old and New," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, 11/25/1998, Clone, Digital Betacam

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 101: "American Old and New," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, Distribution Copy, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 102: "Midwestern Crossroads," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 102: "Midwestern Crossroads," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, Clone, Digital Betacam

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 103: "Southern Fusion," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 103: "Southern Fusion," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, Clone, Digital Betacam

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 104: "Louisiana, Where Music is King," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 104: "Louisiana, Where Music is King," PBS Version, TRT 56:46, Clone, Digital Betacam

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 104: "Louisiana, Where Music is King," Locked with New Changes, TRT 56:46, 11/11/1998, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Press Screening Tapes with Scenes from All Shows, TRT 15:02, 12/17/2998, Betacam

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Press Event, Tapes 1 and 2, 12/17/1998, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Press Event, Tapes 3 and 4, 12/17/1998, Betacam SP

Box 1 of 4

Box 2

"Mississippi: River of Song," Press Event, TC: 1, 12/17/1998, Betacam SP

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Press Event, TC: 2, 12/17/1998, Betacam SP

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Press Event, TC: 3, 12/17/1998, Betacam SP

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Press Event, TC: 4, 12/17/1998, Betacam SP

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 1, International Television Version, Archives, 6/8/1999, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 1, International Television Version, Archives, 10/22/1999, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 1, PBS Version, Final Archives, 12/12/1998, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 2, International Television Version, Archives, 6/30/1999, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 2, International Television Version, Archives, 10/22/1999, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 2, 11/17/1998, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 2, PBS Version, Final Archives, 12/30/1998, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 3, International Television Version, Archives, 10/22/1999, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 3, 11/17/1998, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 3, PBS Version, Final Archives, 12/14/1998, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 4, International Television Version, Archives, 10/22/1999, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 4, Television Version, Archives, 11/17/1998, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 4, Television Version, Archives, 1/27/1999, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Promos and 15-minute Sampler, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 1, International Television Version, Original, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 2, International Television Version, Original, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 3, International Television Version, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 2 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Show 4, International Television Version, Production Master, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 2 of 4

Box 3

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 101, PBS Version, Final Sound Mix, Original, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 101, PBS Version, Final Sound Mix, Production Master, 11/23/1998, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 102, PBS Version, Final Sound Mix, Original, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 103, PBS Version, Final Sound Mix, Original, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Episode 104, PBS Version, Final Sound Mix, Original, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Music Bed for Credits, Home Video Version, 12/3/1998, DA113 Digital Tape

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Shows 1-3, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 1, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 2, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 3, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Shows 4-7, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 4, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 5, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 6, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 7, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Promos, Archives, D-8 Data Cartridge

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 1, Final, Production Master, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 2, Production Master, 12/20/1998, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 2, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 3, Production Master, 12/20/1998, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 4, Production Master, 12/20/1998, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 5, Production Master, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 6, Production Master, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 7, Not for Production, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Promos, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Demo, 10/16/1998, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 1, Scratch Narration, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 1, Narration, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 2, Scratch Narration (Newhouse), DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 4, Scratch Narration (Newhouse), DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 6, Scratch Narration, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show (Louisiana), Scratch Narration (Newhouse), DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show (Arkansas/Mississippi), Scratch Narration (Newhouse), DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show, Ani DiFranco Tracks with TC 1, 7/24/1998, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show, Ani DiFranco Tracks with TC 2, 7/26/1998, DAT

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show, Ani DiFranco, Original Master, RS970M0314, 9/11/1998, DAT 1

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show, Ani DiFranco, Original Master, RS970M0315, 9/11/1998, DAT 2

Box 3 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show, Ani DiFranco, Original Master, RS970M0316, 9/12/1998, DAT 3

Box 3 of 4

Box 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show, Ani DiFranco, Original Master, RS970M0317, 9/12/1998, DAT 4

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show, Tape A Remix, RS970M0328, DAT

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," John Hartford for River Intro, Cassette Tape

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 1, CD

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 2, CD

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 3, CD

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 4, CD

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 5, CD

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 6, CD

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," Radio Show 7, CD

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," CD Set, Distribution Copy, 2 CDs and Booklet

Box 4 of 4

"Mississippi: River of Song," CD Set, Selections Only, Promotional Copy, CD

Box 4 of 4

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