Goodwill Family Photograph Collection (R1479)

Collection Number: R1479

Collection Title: Goodwill Family Photograph Collection

Dates: 1940’s

Creator: Goodwill Family

Abstract: The Goodwill Family Photograph Collection contains an original photograph of KWTO Radio’s Goodwill Family. KWTO hosted its own live musicians to circumvent the Federal Radio Commission’s ban on playing recorded music.

Collection Size: 0.01 cubic foot (1 folder)

Language: Collection materials are in English.

Repository: The State Historical Society of

Restrictions on Access: Collection is open for research. This collection is available at The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Rolla. If you would like more information, please contact us at [email protected]. Collections may be viewed at any research center.

Restrictions on Use: Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Rights & Reproductions on the Society’s website for more information about reproductions and permission to publish.

Preferred Citation: [Specific item; box number; folder number] Goodwill Family Photograph Collection (R1479); The State Historical Society of Missouri Research Center-Rolla [after first mention may be abbreviated to SHSMO-Rolla].

(R1479) Goodwill Family Photograph Collection Page 2

Donor Information: The collection was donated to the University of Missouri by John Bradbury on February 9, 2009 (Accession No. RA1432).

Processed by: Processed by Wendi Pyle-Fields, January 18, 2018. Revised by Erin Smither, February 13, 2018.

Historical Note:

Lester E. Cox founded the radio program KWTO, “Keep Watching the ” in 1933. The first show broadcast December 25, 1933, and always featured live bands due to the Federal Radio Commission ban on broadcasting recorded music. The Goodwill family, featuring Vancie Martha Haworth “Aunt Martha,” her son Herschel “Speedy” Haworth Jr., her brother Slim Wilson, Guy Smith “Uncle George,” and “Little Eddie” Smith, began appearing on the show in 1933. Herschel “Speedy” Haworth went onto a long and successful career. He transitioned to television in 1953, appearing on the . The show played before a national audience beginning in 1955, and launched the careers of successful stars such as and . Herschel chose not to follow his friend Wagoner to Nashville, though he did appear with him occasionally at the Grand Olde Opry. Haworth much preferred living in Springfield. Wagoner and Haworth were both inducted into the Missouri Country Music Hall of Fame.

Arrangement:

The collection has been arranged in one folder.

Scope and Content Note:

The photograph in this collection includes a picture of KWTO Radio’s Goodwill Family featuring Clyde Carol “Slim” Wilson, his half-sister Vancie “Aunt Martha” Wilson, and her son Herschel “Junior” Haworth. Pictured also is Guy “Uncle George” Smith, and “Little Eddie” Smith. The images was taken in the 1940s.

Container List:

Box 001 f. 1 Goodwill family, 1940’s

Index:

Index Term Folder Image Goodwill Family (Musical group) 1 Yes Greene County (Mo.) 1 Haworth, Herschel, 1922-2008 1 Yes (R1479) Goodwill Family Photograph Collection Page 3

Index Term Folder Image KWTO 1 Radio broadcasting--Missouri 1 Yes Smith, Edward 1 Yes Smith, Guy, 1922-2008 1 Yes Springfield (Mo.) 1 Wilson, Clyde Carol, 1910-1990 1 Yes Wilson, Vancie 1 Yes