The original members of the Kingston Trio were Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds. All three of them were in college in San Francisco. Before they became professionals, they sang at a lot of bars and fraternity parties.
During this time, Dave Guard was dating Katie Seaver. Tom seaver’s older sister. Their parents were Betty Lee and Charles Henry Seaver. At some point, Dave Guard, Bob Shane and Nick Reynolds were at the Seaver’s home and the seavers played a Song for them,
“Scotch and Soda.”
The Seavers said that they first heard the song when they were on their honeymoon in Phoenix in 1932. They said that they heard the song when it was played by someone in the bar of the hotel where they stayed. No one knows what hotel this was, or who played the song, or who wrote the song.
Dave Guard owns the copyright to Scotch and Soda, but he did not write it.
Jim Moran wants to find out who wrote the song and has done some checking and he has found that in 1932,
the only hotels in Phoenix that were big enough to be suitable for a honeymoon were the San Carlos Hotel, the St. James Hotel, The Stag Hotel, the Jefferson Hotel, the Westward Ho Hotel, the Arizona Biltmore Hotel, the Swindall Tourist Inn, and the Squaw Peak Inn.
It is possible that the phoenix newspapers might have had advertisements telling what hotels might have had bars where there was entertainment. The most promising of these newspapers are The Coolidge Examiner and The Bisbee Daily Review.
Jim wants to do some more investigating to try to find out who would be likely to have written
“Scotch and Soda“
What else could Jim do to try to find out who wrote “Scotch and Soda?”
Answer
Jim is on a historical investigation, and as such, he needs to tap into a variety of resources that could provide more insight into the mysterious origins of the song “Scotch and Soda.” Here are some steps he can take:
1. **Local Libraries and Archives**: The Phoenix Public Library or the Arizona State Library, Archives & Public Records may have microfilms or digital copies of old newspapers, including The Coolidge Examiner and The Bisbee Daily Review. These could contain advertisements or announcements of musicians performing at the hotels mentioned.
2. **Hotel Records**: While it's a long shot given the time elapsed, Jim could try contacting the existing hotels or their archives to see if they have any records from 1932 that might mention performers or entertainment events.
3. **Oral Histories**: While many people from the 1930s might no longer be alive, their descendants might have stories or memorabilia that have been passed down. Local history or cultural groups might have documented oral histories that provide clues.
4. **Music Archives**: Institutions such as the American Folklife Center or local universities might have archives of folk music, which could include information on lesser-known songs or performers from the 1930s.
5. **Music Historians and Ethnomusicologists**: Reaching out to experts who specialize in the history of American folk music or the musical history of Arizona might provide leads or insights.
6. **Copyright Records**: Even though Dave Guard owns the copyright to "Scotch and Soda," the U.S. Copyright Office might have records that could provide further context or details about the song's origins.
7. **Local Historical Societies**: Groups like the Arizona Historical Society or the Phoenix Historical Society might have archives, photos, or knowledgeable members who could provide information about the Phoenix entertainment scene in the 1930s.
8. **Contacting the Seaver Family**: They might have more detailed family stories, letters, or memories that could provide additional context about the song and where they heard it.
9. **Social Media & Online Forums**: Posting inquiries on platforms dedicated to folk music, historical research, or Phoenix's history might yield unexpected clues or connect Jim with others who have information.
10. **Genealogical Research**: Sites like Ancestry.com or FamilySearch might help Jim identify musicians or bands in Phoenix during that time, based on census records, city directories, or other documents.
Remember, historical research often requires patience and persistence. Even if Jim doesn't find a definitive answer, he might uncover fascinating details about the Phoenix music scene in the 1930s that enrich the story of "Scotch and Soda."
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