LA100 Interview: Dr. Laddie Melton (LA100Abbott_Side1)

LA100Abbott_Side1

Abbott, Lynn

Melton, Laddie

1983-05-27

2020-03-13
2020-03-13

Side 1 and 2: Interview with Dr. Laddie Melton of the Osceola 5 on 1983-05-27. Abstract for Melton: [00:00–30:23] Dr. Laddie Melton discusses the roots of the Osceola Five in 1920s New Orleans, how the group was conceived by Lord Beaconsfield Landry, and how much Melton enjoyed regular rehearsals of the group that included dinners. Melton talks about the Osceola Five's varied repertoire, how Landry used unique musical arrangements, and the talents of the members – 3:35. Melton discusses where the group performed, especially churches and including out-of-town gigs – 7:20. Melton talks about his time as a student and singer at Straight College in New Orleans before he went on to Howard University – 9:55. Melton discusses how he and other Southern Black men found summer jobs as waiters, porters or red caps at various hotels and restaurants up North, and mentions his employment at a hotel in the mountains of upstate New York – 14:25. Melton mentions the birthplaces and employment backgrounds of the group members, and he discusses how early Black gospel groups formed as a way to find fellowship, pride and unity in the face of segregation – 22:35. Melton and Abbott discuss singer Alma Hubbard – 28:00. [00:00 - 09:00] LA100Abbott_Side2 continues with Melton and Lynn Abbott continuing their discussion about the various aspects of the Osceola Five's career, including how the group generally didn't make commercial recordings, and how it generally didn't take part in any gospel quartet contests or broadcasting sessions. Melton describes the group's stage presentation and presence – 5:35.

30 min., 23 sec.

sound recording

sound recording-nonmusical

interviews

Hogan Archive of New Orleans Music and New Orleans Jazz, Tulane University Special Collections

Lynn Abbott collection, HJA-092

https://archives.tulane.edu/

Gospel music
Music trade
Segregation
Church music
Vocal quartets
Race relations

Northeastern States
New Orleans (La.)

Nineteen twenties

Tulane University Digital Library

eng

HJA092_LA100_1.mp3

Copyright to portions of this collection has been transferred to Tulane University Special Collections. Tulane University can grant permission to publish for materials to which it holds the copyright. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or owner’s heir for permission to publish where Tulane University Special Collections does not hold the copyright. For permission to publish collections material to which TUSC holds intellectual property rights, please contact Research Services at specialcollections@tulane.edu.

This recording was digitized in 2020 as part of a Recordings at Risk grant funded project administered by CLIR, "Tell the real story of me": Mahalia Jackson and Black Gospel Quartets in the South.

LA100 Interview: Dr. Laddie Melton, Lynn Abbott collection, HJA-092, Tulane University Special Collections, Howard-Tilton Memorial Library, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA.

specialcollections@tulane.edu