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Dot Records' Poetry for the Beat Generation Collection

An inventory of the Collection at Syracuse University


Finding aid created by: PJM
Date: 09 Jan 2017



Biographical History

Dot Records (1950-1979) was an American record label founded by Randy Wood in Gallatin, Tennessee.

The record label specialized in Tennessee based artists until 1957, when Randy Wood sold the label to Paramount Pictures and relocated the headquarters of the company to Hollywood, California, where it began releasing soundtracks and purchasing recordings from independent labels to distribute nationally. Wood remained the president until 1967. Gulf Western Music purchased Paramount Pictures in 1966, and in 1968 re-branded Dot Records as a country music label, under the umbrella Famous Music Group, which took over the label in 1971. ABC bought the Famous Music Group in 1974 and discontinued Dot Records in 1978. After Music Corporation of America (MCA Records) acquired ABC Records in 1979, the Dot label was briefly revived in 1985-1986, releasing a series of country music albums by performers such as Carl Perkins, Porter Wagoner and Billie Jo Spears. Other artists who have recorded for Dot Records include Lawrence Welch, Pat Boone and Eddie Fisher.

Jack Kerouac (1922-1969) was an American novelist, writer, poet, and artist.

He coined the term "Beat Generation," referring to a group of underground, anti-conformist young New York writers and novelists, of which he himself -- with William S. Burroughs and Allen Ginsberg -- was the best known. Although Kerouac received relatively little critical praise during his life, he has since been recognized as an important and influential author, inspiring not only other writers but also musicians. He is often credited with being the catalyst for the 1960s counterculture movement. Kerouac best known works are On the Road, The Armada Bums, Big Sur and Visions of Cody.

Steve Allen (1921-2000) was an American television personality, musician, composer, actor, comedian, and writer.

Best known for his television career, he got his start in radio, working for both the Mutual Broadcasting System and CBS Radio before moving to NBC to become the first host of The Tonight Show.


Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Dot Records' Poetry for the Beat Generation Collection consists of four items: The recalled LP, two lathe tests (pre-test pressing equipment/sound tests), and the letter from Dot Records to reviewers recalling the record.


Arrangement of the Collection

Collection remains in original order.


Restrictions

Access Restrictions:

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions:

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.


Related Material

The recordings in this collection have been digitized.

See also the Jack Kerouac Papers.


Subject Headings

Persons

Allen, Steve, 1921-2000.
Kerouac, Jack, 1922-1969.
Millstein, Gilbert.
Wood, Randy, 1918-2011.

Corporate Bodies

Dot Records.

Subjects

American poetry -- 20th Century -- Readings with music.
Monologues with music.
Piano Music (Jazz)

Places

Hollywood (Los Angeles, Calif.)

Genres and Forms

Correspondence.
Long-playing records.
Phonograph records.

Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Dot Records' Poetry for the Beat Generation Collection,
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Purchased, 2014-2016.


Table of Contents

Audio recordings

Correspondence


Inventory

Note on alternate formats:

The recordings in this collection have been digitized.