The British Archive Of Country Music
Media Research Center
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The Archive consists of over 500,000 recordings spanning the 75 years of Country Music's history on all formats. It not only houses American recordings but Country Music from all over the world where the media, record producers, or serious collectors may come and browse. Within the Archive there is a library of reference, including a database of over 250,000 Country tunes, history and biographical works, plus magazines, publicity data, sheet music, song books, photographs, videos, and all manner of memorabilia and artifacts; details are available on application.
The Archive is a non-profit making concern which produces a free Quarterly Magazine " Just For The Record " and a Directory of over 35,000 Albums, CDs & Cassettes " Country Music World Wide " @ £50 ($100) post free.
The foremost consideration is preservation. This is not only the David Barnes collection, but includes collections of others who have dedicated their lives performing or collecting country music throughout the years. Many people spend their entire lives researching the various labels and artists throughout the world, only to find at the end that somebody with no interest in what they have achieved throws it all away. This must not happen! All their work must be preserved. Magazines, fanzines, discographies, biographies, and photographs must be stored under one roof. At present the British Archive is the only place in the world outside Nashville providing a facility which preserves the heritage of country music. it is also very important that donors' names are recorded so that they will be respected by future visitors to the premises. The British Archive is here to preserve the music, so that future generations may benefit from the past efforts of so many devoted people.