Houston Folk Music Archive - Rice University Digital Collections

The Houston Folk Music Archive exists to save the history of Houston's vibrant and influential folk community that began in the early 1960s and ended in the mid 1980s. Through archival collections, oral histories, and an interactive ArcGIS StoryMap, we are documenting the people, places, and music that made Houston a folk mecca.

Explore the ArcGIS StoryMap for an interactive history, the digital and physical collections, or search for your favorite performer, band, or venue in the A to Z list at the bottom.

Houston's Folk Music Venues

Before diving into the archives, you can explore the history of Houston's folk music community via its music venues, starting in 1961, through its heydey in the 1970s, and beyond. This ArcGIS StoryMap tells the story and features live audio, oral history clips, images, and interactive maps.

This collection consists of photographs and documents chronicling The Banded Geckos.

This collections consists of photographs and fliers chronicling DeLeon's musical career.

This collection consists of photographs and memorabilia from the Sand Mountain Coffee House used by Vicki Welch Ayo and William C. DeLaVergne to document the Houston area folk music scene.

This collection consists of a poster from the Sand Mountain Coffee House featuring Dogtooth Violet.

This collection consists of photographs, posters, and flyers of Danny Everitt and other folk musicians.

This collection consists of a photograph of Shake Russell, Dana Cooper, and Jimmy Raycraft performing.

This collection consists of a photograph of David John Scribner interviewing Leo Kottke.

This collection consists of photographs and documents chronicling David Rodriguez’s music and political career.

This collection consists of photographs of the folk band Dogtooth Violet.

This collection consists of photographs of Don Sanders performing, his promotional photographs, and Sanders with other musicians

This collection consists of printed materials and photographs related to the music venue Liberty Hall.

This collection consists of photographs and other memorabilia documenting George Ensle’s music career.

This collection contains oral histories from members of Houston’s folk music community.

This collection consists of photographs, a poster, and an academic panel about Townes Van Zandt.

This collection consists of materials related to Howard Porper's career and the Houston Folklore and Folk Music Society.

This collection consists of materials related to Jack Saunder’s music career.

This collection contains photographs, fliers, posters and more related to Jimmy Don Smith and other musicians.

This collection consists of photographs of John Lomax III and musicians, including Lightnin’ Hopkins and Townes Van Zandt.

This collection consists of photographs, oral histories, posters, and other ephemera related to the Houston music venue Liberty Hall.

This collection consists of photographs of Lucille Borella and her former singing partner Bill Cade.

This collection consists of photographs of Lynn Langham, Dana Cooper, and Shake Russell, as well as other memorabilia related to Langham’s music career.

This collection consists of 88 issues from the early years of Public News.

This collection consists of photographs of musicians and other entertainers from a variety of performance venues in Houston.

This collection consists of photographs of Rich Layton performing and with other musicians.

This collection consists of photographs of Richard Dobson and memorabilia related to his music career.

This collection consists of event calendars from the Houston music venue.

This collection consists mainly of photographs documenting Sara Hickman's musical career.

This collection primarily contains audio connected to Scott Holtzman's work as a DJ at KILT.

This collection consists of photographs and fliers of Sharon and Lew Andre Mathews and other musicians.

This collection consists of posters, photographs, and other memorabilia documenting the music venue.

This collection consists of photographs of Vince Bell in concert with other musicians, performance posters, and other memorabilia.

This collection consists of photographs and a flier collected by Walter Spinks.

This collection consists of photographs, posters, and other memorabilia related to the band’s performances and works.

To see these physical collections, rare books, and DVDs in-person, you must contact us for an appointment.

Houston's Folk Music Venues

Digital Collections

Physical Collections and Rare Books

Search People, Bands, and Venues

A

All Meat Taco Band

Anderson Fair Retail Restaurant

Arruda, Charlie

B

Badeaux, Ed

Banded Geckos

Banks, George

Beasely, Steven

Bell, Rex

Bell, Vince

Bertinot, Bill

Bickley, Charlie

Borella, Lucille

Bradley, Tommie Lee

Bryant, Bruce

C

Cade, Bill

Cade, Brigid

Calvert, Craig

Carrick, Corinne

Carrick, John

Chambers, Jerry

Champlin, Tamara

Clark, Guy

Clark, Susanna

Cody's

Condray, Michael

Cooper, Dana

Corky's

Crowell, Rodney

Cypress Swamp Stompers

D

Davis, Frank

DeLeon, Bianca

Dobson, Richard

Dogtooth Violet

Duryea, Doug

E

Earle, Steve

Edwards, Mike

Ensle, George

Everitt, Danny

F

Family Hand

Foley, Blaze

Fory, Russell

Franklin, Robbie

G

Gardner, Peter

Gilmer, James

Gordon, Rick

Gorisch, Peter

Griffith, Nanci

Grimes, Pam

Grimwood, Keith

H

Hard Thymes

Haymes, Bill

Hemmer Ridge Mountain Boys

Herrera, Lynda

Hevia, Damian

Hickman, Sara

Hill, Rocky

Holtzman, Scott

Holtzman, Vivian

Hopkins, Sam "Lightnin'"

Houlahan's No. 2

Houston Folklore and Music Society

I

Idlet, Ezra

J

Jacob, Richard

Jarrard, Franci Files

Jarrard, Stephen

Jester Lounge