Birmingham’s Musical Heritage Gets a New Spotlight with Bham Music Archive
Birmingham, a city often overshadowed by its more famous musical neighbors, is stepping into the limelight thanks to a dedicated local musician. Over the past year and a half, Travis Morgan has taken it upon himself to gather a treasure trove of photographs, posters, flyers, and oral histories that document the city’s rich music history through a project he calls the Bham Music Archive.
A Lifelong Passion for Local Music
A Birmingham native, Travis has long been an influential figure in the area’s music scene. He co-founded the independent record label Skybucket Records in 2002 and helped kickoff Secret Stages, a music festival, in 2011. With decades of experience, Travis has watched the local arts scene blossom, yet he felt a growing need to share the stories of local musicians who often go unnoticed.
“When I was coming up in the Birmingham music scene, I always felt that there was a lot of local talent that didn’t get talked about,” Travis commented. “I’ve seen the brewery and culinary scenes gain recognition, and I’m hoping people will start appreciating our music scene in a similar way.”
Inspiration for the Archive
The idea for the Bham Music Archive emerged during Travis’s research on a little-known local songwriter. “I didn’t set out to create an archive, but I soon realized how valuable it would be. I struggled to find information about this songwriter, and that planted the seed for this project.”
Starting in late 2022, Travis began interviewing various individuals who have played pivotal roles in the Birmingham music scene, including musicians, recording engineers, and concert photographers. In his quest, he has spoken with hundreds of local figures, primarily from the 1960s, 70s, and 80s.
Discoveries and Collection Growth
Through these interviews, Travis continues to uncover fascinating stories about Birmingham’s music history. He shared, “For example, the co-writer of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ was Hugh Martin, a local man. There’s so much about Birmingham’s music history that deserves recognition.”
As Travis met with interviewees, many offered to share their personal scrapbooks filled with memorabilia. With a flatbed scanner in hand, he diligently began digitizing hundreds of concert photographs, promotional posters, and sheet music.
Preserving the Music
The project isn’t just about preserving images and memorabilia; it also focuses on saving the music itself. Travis has collaborated with local recording studios to digitize extensive collections of music that were recorded right here in Birmingham. While he possesses some physical artifacts, the bulk of the archive currently exists in digital form.
Ultimately, Travis envisions the Bham Music Archive as a publicly accessible collection that can serve as a research tool. “This is a long-term project,” he explained. “I want to create something that can outlast me.”
A Community Effort
Recently, Travis launched a website for the archive, aiming to foster connections with others who have stories and materials related to Birmingham’s music history. He emphasized that the project is not solely about his own efforts. “I want to recognize the support from others, especially Kelly Schiff, who has volunteered countless hours, and Don Tinsley, whose help has been invaluable.”
Additively, Travis highlights other key individuals making strides in preserving music history in Birmingham, such as Burgin Mathews from the Southern Music Research Center and local music advocate Lee Shook.
If you have stories or artifacts that contribute to Birmingham’s music legacy, Travis and his team are eager to hear them. You can reach out through the website or via email at travis@bhammusicarchive.com.
