Tacoma Music History

07/29/2026

This photograph from the Helen Stafford collection at Tacoma Public Library
is dated July 29, 1945, meaning it was taken at the first USO music festival at Point Defiance. Six thousand attendees sat on the grass to listen to the 362nd Army Band from Fort Lewis play Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Also performing were the 29th Special Service Band directed by Sgt. Earnest Hayden and the 25 voice Naval choir from Bremerton. The photograph was taken by F.L. Powell of Tacoma.

07/15/2026

Western singer and motion picture actor Gene Autry (left) was photographed with Cherokee Jack Henley of the Western Rhythm Ridin' Wranglers during a broadcast from the KMO studio in the Keyes Building on Broadway on July 15, 1949. Cherokee Jack appeared with his Wranglers at dance halls throughout the area. His radio program frequently featured country/western celebrities when they were either performing in or passing through Tacoma. Mr. Autry had flown in that day for a one-night variety show co-sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the College of Puget Sound. Mayor C.V. Fawcett had proclaimed July 15th as Gene Autry Day in Tacoma.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

06/26/2026

One of my favorite parts about doing local music history research is the opportunity to share my expertise and enthusiasm with students. In my "Musical History of Tacoma" classes at the University of Washington Tacoma and University of Puget Sound, students learn about working with local archives and investigating primary source artifacts to discover and then tell interesting stories about our community's cultural past - whether distant or recent!

Several new student research projects are now on the blog - if you see a picture or headline that intrigues you, jump on over to TacomaMusicHistory.org and enjoy!

University of Puget Sound School of Music University of Washington Tacoma University of Puget Sound

05/05/2026

Marietta Kennard, left, and Mrs. Marsh Davis, right, look at a page from "The American Songbag." The pair presented the program at the Altrusa Club's biennial guest tea May 5, 1955. Mrs. Kennard presentes a narration of typical folk ballads, giving their origins and tracing their development. She finished by reading from her own composition "Ballad of Old John Porter." Mrs. Davis, who accompanied herself on the piano, sang American folk songs and traditional American ballads.

The American Songbag (1927), compiled by poet Carl Sandburg, was a landmark anthology of 280+ American folk songs. It featured diverse musical traditions, including spirituals, pioneer tales, and labor songs, with simple piano accompaniments for easy public use. It was enormously popular and was in print continuously for more than seventy years.

Photograph courtesy Tacoma Public Library

04/18/2026

95 years is a lot of Tacoma music history!

2026 marks the 95th anniversary of Ted Brown Music. The Ted Brown Music Company, originally founded in Tacoma by Ted Brown in 1931, has remained family-owned for four generations. Ted was passionate about helping musicians and bringing music to everyone. This passion led to the company’s mission statement: “Believing music makes life better, the mission of is to provide quality products and exceptional service for the ongoing performance, education, and appreciation of music. Your music is our passion!”

From the Great Depression and World War II to the present day, helping musicians and fostering the musical community in Washington has been Ted Brown Music's Guiding Principle. As they now enter their 95th year, their mission remains as true as ever. From retail sales, repair, and commercial AVL installation to lessons, school services, and rentals, Ted Brown Music offers a wide variety of services for musicians in Washington.

04/16/2026

Marquis Dance at the Winthrop Hotel. Conductor Stan Miskowski leading the Washingtonians, a 7-piece orchestra. Dated April 16, 1938.

Photo courtesy Tacoma Public Library