As reported in Lon Helton’s Country AirCheck, The Boston Globe carried a story of a recently unearthed trove of vintage country. The tapes and wire recordings dating from the 40’s to the 70’s were found in a Pennsylvania barn that once belonged to Ken Alexander, now deceased, who ran a small sound company in the region. The live performances featured George Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, Tammy Wynette, Buck Owens, Conway Twitty, Jerry Lee Lewis and others in more than 1,000 recordings. This pile of stuff was purchased by producer Richard Pittman, who is also an actor dba “Richard Penn”.

The tapes are being restored and may eventually see auction. A public release is complicated by various rights issues, but the find seems to be one of more than passing historical importance. For years there have been whispers across the Northeast about a treasure-trove of recordings hidden away somewhere. They have finally been uncovered. A couple of shows starring Roy Acuff and Grandpa Jones were recorded on wire in the 40’s. When Pittman made the purchase, it took two pickup truck loads to carry them all. Also included in the “haul” were tapes on Mel Tillis, Porter Wagoner, Roy Clark, a young Crystal Gayle, etc.  They are busy using modern devices to restore the quality of the tapes but it is reported that they have maintained outstanding quality after all these years.