#swma

[southwestcollectionarchives]

Occasionally, we will receive items in collections that confuse us. We found this object along with two sticky notes documenting a previous conversation between two of our archivists upon finding this item in a collection.

What we now know after some research is this “Texas Jack Rabbit Milk” can was a common gag gift found in shops around Texas in the 1960s. Regardless, please do not actually send us milk.

[msmkcreates]

So We Meet Again Ch. 8: For You, Anything

Rus may not be ready, but he will stand up for Edge even if it means having the hard conversations.

Notes:

Word Count: 2691

More of the soft boys! Still Thanksgiving but I promise we will move on soon hahaha

Warnings/tags: hard conversations, indirect criticism, the road to hell is paved with good intentions, self consciousness, finally standing up

[southwestcollectionarchives]

Oscar Martinez was a musically gifted individual born in the Loma Rosa barrio in Corpus Christi, Texas. As a teen, he frequented local nightclubs performing Tejano music for crowds after spending the day selling auto parts at his father’s auto repair shop. In 1958, he started a record label and produced several regional and Tejano hits including “La Lumbre,” “Makes No Difference,” and “La Bamba” to name a few. He was inducted into the Tejano Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in 2002 for his tenure as a composer. He was also a renowned visual artist; pictured here are some early sketches from his collection.

For more information about Martinez and his materials, visit the finding aid here: https://txarchives.org/ttusw/finding_aids/40013.xml

[southwestcollectionarchives]

SWMA also boasts several very cool, embroidered denim flannels from various collections! If you’re facing writer's block, follow our musician’s guide to escape the depths of your despair by stitching a turtle on your shoulder or maybe your front pocket.

[southwestcollectionarchives]

Did you know we have several collections on local radio stations around the Southwest?

The KSEL Mike was a program published by the KSEL-AM radio station located on Avenue Q in 1951. This first edition, published in March 1952, includes several columns from staff, a program schedule for the radio, and images of entertainers popular in the area.

For more editions of The KSEL Mike, visit the finding aid here: https://txarchives.org/ttusw/finding_aids/40037.xml

[southwestcollectionarchives]

As we near 2026, consider adding a new skill to your list of resolutions. Perhaps the banjo? The Southwest Music Archive does have a large selection of banjo instructional methods and books from the Paul Gene Meyer Collection that anyone is welcome to use. Feel free to visit us to practice your banjo skills!

For a list of all Meyer’s banjo-related material, visit the finding aid here: https://txarchives.org/ttusw/finding_aids/40134.xml

[southwestcollectionarchives]

While organizing textiles in various SWMA collections, we found a bandolier belonging to Kimmie Rhodes with extra ammunition still in the loops. Owen Socher, the manager of our SWMA materials, is pictured here with said bandolier. Yet another interesting find!

[southwestcollectionarchives]

Meet Kylie! She’s an Archivist for the Southwest Collection and Southwest Music Archive. When she’s not running around the building, she’s conducting oral histories with SWMA musicians.

“I initially became an archivist because I was thrilled with the idea of providing a clear organization and structure to manuscript collections. Now, I’m additionally extremely passionate about fostering relationships with our SWMA artists and music enthusiasts to further bridge the gaps in our collections, so researchers have the full scope of those who contributed to Lubbock's sound."