Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels Recordings,

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from the Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels Recordings must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels Recordings, Ms2016-002, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.5 Cubic Feet 1 box
Creator:
Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels
Abstract:
Recordings of Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels dance orchestra, including seven original 1946 acetate recordings from the Marine Room of Isle of Palms, South Carolina, together with a 2014 compact disc containing digital conversions from the original recordings.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels Recordings, Ms2016-002, Special Collections, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains recordings made by Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels, a Virginia Tech dance orchestra. Included are seven original 1946 acetate recordings of the orchestra performing at the Marine Room on Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Also included is a 2014 compact disc containing digital conversions of the original recordings.

Biographical / historical:

The origin of the Southern Colonels, a Virginia Tech dance orchestra, can be traced to 1918, when student Dayton Rice Taylor founded the Southern Syncopating Saxophone Six with five other students. After the early departure of one member, the band renamed itself the Virginia Tech Jazz Orchestra and was also known as the College Six. A popular fixture at campus functions, the group renamed itself again in 1922, becoming the Collegians. By 1931, the band had expanded to a nine-piece orchestra and in an attempt to be more distinctive ranamed itself yet again, as The Southern Colonels.

The Southern Colonels disbanded during World War II, but drummer Mel Feldenheimer helped to reassemble the band when he returned to campus in 1944, following his service in World War II. The orchestra quickly regained its popularity, performing at Virginia Tech and other colleges. During 1946 and 1947, the orchestra toured the southern states as Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels, with Feldenheimer as bandleader. The orchestra was featured in a weekly radio broadcast on Charleston, South Carolina's WCSC (now WSPO) while performing on the nearby Isle of Palms.

Acquisition information:
The Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels Recordings were donated to Special Collections in 2014.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Mel Felton and the Southern Colonels Recordings commenced and was completed in January, 2016.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged by format, then by date.

Physical description:
0.5 cu. ft. 1 box