The Texas Music Showcase is now open

By Jackie Ordonio
News Reporter

The seventh floor of the Alkek library is home to The Wittliff Collections that feature many different showcases of archives. The Wittliff is known for its permanent showcase, the Lonesome Dove collection, but a new and upcoming display may steal the limelight. The Texas Music Showcase highlights original artifacts that celebrate the heritage of Texas music. The showcase includes posters, handwritten songbooks, autographed instruments, records and more that reflect the rich and diverse culture around Texas musicians. 

The Director of the Wittliff Collections, Dr. David L. Coleman, states that the showcase will be good way to present the importance of Texas music. “This is something that we’ve decided that would be great; and great for the students on campus and for the people in the area if we could collect, kind of put more emphasis on collecting music.” One of the musicians being emphasized is Willie Nelson. Willie’s display includes a handwritten songbook from when he was about 10-years old, as well as magazines, biographies, and guitars. Coleman says that Willie is a close friend of Bill Wittliff, the Wittliff Collections’ main donor, and this is how the showcase has obtained most of Willie’s original artifacts.

Coleman explains how the ongoing collection will continue to grow as more artifacts are being donated. The showcase is free and open during The Wittliff Collections’ usual exhibition hours.

Featured image by Jackie Ordonio.