Finding Aid
Tom Wilson fonds. – 1986-2017. – 20 cm of textual records (3 boxes), 15 sound recordings, 1 video recording, 2 paintings, and 11 photographs.
The fonds is arranged as follows:
Series 1 Notebooks
Series 2 Memoir: Beautiful Scars
Series 3 Sound and video recordings
Series 4 Visual art
Series 1
Notebooks. – [2003-ca.2010]. – 35 items; includes 11 photographs
Notebooks in which Wilson recorded his thoughts, ideas for songs, draft lyrics, occasional drawings, photographs, and more. Most are undated, but in some cases dates can be conjectured based on items, such as purchase receipts, inserted into the volumes, or on where Wilson was living, as recorded at the front of some of the volumes.
Box 1
Env.1 [2003]: based on inserts; includes 1 photograph
Env.2 [2003]: based on inserts; includes 1 photograph
Env.3 2004 March: written on front of book; includes 1 photograph
Env.4 2004 April: written on front of book; includes 1 photograph
Env.5 2004 May: written on front of book; includes 1 photograph
Env.6 2004 June: written on front of book
Env.7 2004 July: written on front of book
Env.8 2004 September: written on front of book; includes 1 photograph
Env.9 2004 September “II”: written on front of book; includes 1 photograph
Env.10 2004 October: written on front of book
Env.11 2004 November: written on front of book
Env.12 2004 December: written on front of book
Env.13 2005 January: written on front of book
Env.14 2005 February: written on front of book
Env.15 [2005]: based on inserts; address at this time was Homewood Ave in Hamilton
Env.16 [ca.2005-2007]: based on address of Homewood Ave
Env.17 ca.2005-2007]: based on address of Homewood Ave
Box 2
Env.18 [2007]: based on inserts
Env.19 [2008]: based on inserts; address at this time was Amelia St in Hamilton
Env.20 [2009]: based on inserts
Env.21 [ca.2009 ff.]: based on address of Amelia St.
Env.22 [ca.2009 ff.]: based on address of Amelia St.
Env.23 [ca.2009 ff.]: based on address of Amelia St.
Env.24 [ca.2009 ff.]: based on address of Amelia St.; includes 2 photographs
Env.25 [ca.2009 ff.]: based on address of Amelia St.; includes 1 photograph
Env.26 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.27 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.28 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.29 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.30 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.31 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.32 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.33 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]; includes 1 photograph
Env.34 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Env.35 [n.d., but likely between 2000 and 2010]
Series 2
Memoir Beautiful Scars
Wilson’s memoir, Beautiful Scars: Steeltown Secrets, Mohawk Skywalkers and the Road Home, was published by Doubleday Canada in 2017.
Box 3
F.1 Galley proof, 229 pages; annotated by Wilson and others
F.2 Notes for the memoir: computer printouts of notes written by Wilson as an aid in writing the memoir, ca.350 pages.
Series 3
Sound and video recordings
With one exception (item 16), the sound and video recordings have been digitized for access purposes. Please consult with archives staff for access.
| Item # | Title on item | Type | Genre | Content | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Open shelf | Tom Wilson and the Florida Razorbacks: new number 1 | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: 2 inch | Multi-track recording of a single song by the Florida Razors. | 1986-02 |
| 2 Open shelf | Tom Wilson and the Florida Razorbacks: new number 2 | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: 2 inch | Multi-track recording of a single song by the Florida Razors. | 1986-02 |
| 3 Open shelf | Tom Wilson and the Florida Razorbacks: new number 3 | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: 2 inch | Multi-track recording of a single song by the Florida Razors. | 1986-02 |
| 4 Open shelf | Tom Wilson and the Florida Razorbacks: new number 4 | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: 2 inch | Multi-track recording of a single song by the Florida Razors. | 1986-02 |
| 5 Open shelf | Tom Wilson, O Linda | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: 2 inch | Despite the title, this does not contain a recording of ‘Oh Linda.’ The content is similar to items 1 to 4, so these are likely tracks for a Florida Razors song. | 1986-09 |
| 6 Box 4 | Tom Wilson, Oh Linda, Ruffs Jan 29, 87 | Sound recording | Reel to Reel, 1/4 inch | Single track recording of the song ‘Oh Linda’. | 1987-01-29 |
| 7 Box 4 | Tom Wilson, 3 Acoustics: 1.Working on the Switchboard, 2.Rocky Mountain Time, 3.Dryin Wheel. | Sound recording | Reel to Reel, 1/4 inch | Acoustic single track recordings of Tom Wilson (vocal and guitar) performing ‘Workin’ on the Switchboard’ (2 versions), ‘Rocky Mountain Time,’ and ‘Dryin’ Wheel.’ | [1986?] |
| 8 Open shelf | Junkhouse: 1 June/90 | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: 2 inch | Multi-track recording of the Junkhouse songs ‘Hello Mystery’ and ‘Smalltown Romance.’ | 1990-06 |
| 9 Box 4 | Junkhouse: 1, Smalltown Romance, 3 takes | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: ½-inch | As per the title: 3 takes of Junkhouse performing ‘Smalltown Romance.’ | 1990-06 |
| 10 Box 4 | Junkhouse: 2, Hello Mystery, 3 takes | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: ½-inch | As per the title: 3 takes of Junkhouse performing ‘Hello Mystery.’ | 1990-06 |
| 11 Box 4 | Junkhouse safety master: 1.Hello Mystery, 2.Smalltown Romance, 3.Working on the Switchboard, 4.Oh Linda | Sound recording | Safety Master, Reel to Reel: 1/4 inch | As per the title, single takes of Junkhouse performing 1.Hello Mystery, 2.Smalltown Romance, 3.Working on the Switchboard, 4.Oh Linda | 1990-06 |
| 12 Open shelf | Junkhouse: 3, July/92, 1.Comin' Home Tonight, 2.Big Kiss (Louisiana), 3.In Walks Judy | Sound recording | Mastering Tape, Reel to Reel: 2 inch | As per the title, multi-track recordings of Junkhouse performing 1.Comin' Home Tonight, 2.Big Kiss (Louisiana), 3.In Walks Judy, as well as ‘The Ballad of John Henry.’ | 1992-07 |
| 13 Box 4 | Thompson Wilson | Sound recording | CD-R | Single track recordings of several songs by Thompson Wilson, Tom Wilson’s son. | [ca. 2015] |
| 14 Box 4 | Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, High or Hurtin' | Sound recording | Ref CD | As per title, single track recordings of the Blackie and the Rodeo Kings’ album ‘High or Hurtin’: the Songs of Willie P. Bennett’. | 2012-09-25 |
| 15 Box 4 | Tom Wilson Disc 1 | Video recording | DVD | Rough cut video recording of Lee Harvey Osmond concert at the Baldachin Inn, Merrickville, Ontario, 22 January 2011, as well as interviews with Tom Wilson, Brent Titcomb, and Thompson Wilson (son of Tom Wilson); possibly produced by students from Algonquin College. 2 hours 33 minutes. | 2011-01-22 |
| 16 Box 5 | The Florida Razors, Beat Music | Sound recording | Vinyl disc, 33 rpm | Commercial recording. Side One recorded at Grant Ave. Studios, Hamilton, and produced by Keith Whitling. Side Two recorded live at Dollar Bills, Kingston, by Al Thompson. | [1986] |
Series 4
Visual art. – 2 items
Box 6
1. [Untitled]. – painting by Tom Wilson. – acrylic on canvas, 25x30 mm
2. ‘Wired.’ – painting by Tom Wilson. – acrylic on canvas, 28x35 mm
