Bill Anderson Papers
Country music song writer and singer Bill Anderson was born in Columbia, South Carolina on November 1, 1937. His family moved to Georgia, where they lived in Griffin and Decatur. Anderson majored in journalism at the University of Georgia. While living in Athens, he became a disc jockey in nearby Commerce and began writing and recording songs. His song "City Lights" became a hit in 1955 and changed his career.
After graduating in 1959, Anderson headed to Nashville, where he began composing a series of hit songs. His greatest hit, "Still", came in 1963. He went on to compose more than 500 songs and record some 40 albums. Known professionally as "Whisperin' Bill", Anderson has been voted Songwriter Of The Year six times, Male Vocalist Of The Year, and half of the Duet Of The Year with both Jan Howard and Mary Lou Turner. In 1975 he was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 1985, Anderson was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, becoming only the 7th living performer to be so honored. In 1993, he was inducted into the Georgia Broadcasters' Hall of Fame. The following year South Carolina inducted him into their Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. In 2001, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The collection consists of photographs from Bill Anderson's tours and performances, as well as newspaper clippings, professional papers, performance clothes, related ephemera, and several decades of his fan club newsletters. Also included is a Fender King guitar and strap. Many of the photograph albums were donated on behalf of Kathryn House, Georgia Representative of the Bill Anderson Fan Club.