This promises to be a lively afternoon as Alabama historian and folklorist Joyce Cauthen brings the story of her favorite fiddler, Tom Freeman, to Birmingham Historical Society on Sunday, October 4th, from 3–5 p.m. This charming, self-educated fiddler used his talent to evade law enforcement, to sell moonshine, and to play for community gatherings and political rallies.
Sunday, October 4th, 3-5 p.m. Birmingham Historical Society 2827 Highland Avenue Birmingham, AL 35205
Free and Open to the Public
Freeman was born in rural Cullman County in 1883. He taught himself on a homemade fiddle at the age of 9, and from then on it was his constant companion. He later lived and played music in Bug Tussle and Cold Springs. His descendants, who still live in Bug Tussle, preserved his handwritten—and sometimes difficult to read—manuscripts recounting his colorful life, from his time in prison and his moonshine adventures, to his grandfather’s service in the Civil War. Joyce Cauthen transcribed these manuscripts from the originals. They are now in the collection of Southern Music Research Center.
The collection documenting his music and life was developed in collaboration with author Joyce Cauthen as a supplement to her book The Ballad of Fiddling Tom Freeman: Music, Moonshine, and Murder in Bug Tussle, Alabama, published June 2026 by the University of Alabama Press. In this book, Joyce Cauthen brings to life his stories, his community, and his music. Nine home audio recordings are available at the Southern Music Research Center.
The Southern Music Research Center, and its signature radio show, The Lost Child, recently featured a recording by Smokey Reason, an Alabama native who performed at the Grand Old Opry, and with Ernest Tubb, among other great country stars. But his music may have been lost forever, were it not for the accidental find of his 1949 record at an estate sale. Relatives of Smokey Reason all tuned in when it was broadcast on The Lost Child and they finally heard it for the first time, despite having the lyric sheet to one of his songs.
Smokey Reason, “Stolen Kisses” Lyric Sheet & Statement of Authorship
Description
Original typewritten lyric sheet for “Stolen Kisses,” an original composition by Smokey Reason. Also included is a notarized letter documenting Reason’s authorship of the song.
Lyric sheet and letter courtesy Marrtha Casinger, Judy McCormick, Mandy Bahe, and the family of Smokey Reason. Special thanks to John Horton, whose searching unearthed the original record.
The film produced by Katie Rogers and Brandon McCray tells the story of how jazz was cultivated and popularized in Ensley, centered around what is now known as the Nixon Building, located at the junction of two streetcar lines. During the 1920s and 1930s, the nightclub on this corner was a vibrant social hub and dance venue. Admission required tuxedos and proper evening attire, a standard that gave rise to the club’s legendary name: Tuxedo Junction.
This era also marked the emergence of some of Birmingham’s most influential jazz musicians, many of whom were trained by renowned band director Fess Whatley at Parker Industrial School. At the time, Parker Industrial was the only Black high school in Alabama, and its students honed their musical skills by performing at Tuxedo Junction, helping to shape a distinctive jazz tradition that would resonate far beyond Birmingham. The song Tuxedo Junction performed there and written by Erskine Hawkins cemented its place in history.
Parker Industrial High School in SmithfieldThe Nixon Building a/k/a Tuxedo Junction
The good news is that the documentary Tuxedo Junction will air on PBS on February 19. Those who attended the special screening on Sunday can attest that it is well worth the wait—don’t miss it! Sunday’s event also featured a book signing by Burgin Mathews, author of Magic City: How the Birmingham Jazz Tradition Shaped the Sound of America, his 10 year passion project that further highlights the city’s enduring impact on American music. Jazz music by Birmingham legends, Bo Berry and Jose Carr, created the magic that continues to captivate music lovers everywhere.
Tuxedo Junction documentaryAuthor Burgin Mathews, Katie Rogers, and jazz greats Bo Berry and Jose Carr at Virginia Samford TheaterBHS President Wayne Hester, and documentary co-producer, Katie RogersJohn Nixon, who owns his father’s dental office-the tuxedo junction building, is posed with a photo of his father who acted opposite Virginia Samford many years agoProducers Brandon McCray and Katie Rogers with the owner of the Tuxedo Junction Building, John NixonKatie Rogers, Bo Berry, Jose Carr, and Brandon McCray
Tuxedo Junction by Erskine Hawkins with lyrics by Buddy Feyne
Feelin' low Rockin' slow I want to go Right back where I belong Way down south in Birmingham I mean south in Alabam' There's an old place where people go To dance the night away They all drive or walk for miles To get jive that southern style It's an old jive that makes you want To dance till break of day It's a junction where the town folks meet At each function in a tux they greet you Come on down, forget your care Come on down, you'll find me there So long town, I'm heading for Tuxedo Junction now [Instrumental] Feelin' low Rockin' slow I want to go Right back where I belong Way down south in Birmingham I mean south in Alabam' There's an old place where people go To dance the night away They all drive or walk for miles To get jive that southern style It's an old jive that makes you want To dance till break of day It's a junction where the town folks meet At each function in a tux they greet you Come on down, forget your care Come on down, you'll find me there So long town, I'm heading for Tuxedo Junction now Tuxedo Junction now
Join us in person for a fun afternoon with the Birmingham Historical Society for a special screening of this award-winning documentary that captures the amazing musical history that came out of Ensley in the 1920s through the 1950s. Local filmmakers Katie Rogers and Brandon McCray will be in attendance for a special Q&A after the film, and Burgin Mathews will be signing and selling his book on the subject. Stay for drinks in the courtyard with live jazz by Jose Carr and Bo Berry and friends, who are also featured in the film. *Runtime: 52min
Twelve years in the making, Burgin Mathews has recorded the history of Birmingham’s Jazz Tradition and will talk about it at BHS offices in Southside on December 3rd. While not covering every notable Birmingham musician, he focuses on the jazz traditions of the time, through the careers of such greats as Erskine Hawkins, whose greatest hit was “Tuxedo Junction”, and Sun Ra, who were both born in Birmingham. Weaving in Birmingham’s civil rights history, and the male dominance in jazz (despite break through favorites like Ethel Harper), this is the story of how our city’s music was a key to a better Birmingham, transcending its legacy of racial injustice and division.
Burgin Mathews, a writer, radio host at The Lost Child, and the founding director of the nonprofit Southern Music Research Center, will talk about the long process of recording this history of Birmingham’s jazz tradition and the jazz greats who made Birmingham their home.
Burgin Mathews’ deep dive in to the Magic City’s music history led him to the creation of the Southern Music Research Center which will be housed at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame in the iconic Carver Theater. Music scores of Southern favorites are recorded and available through the generosity of donated collections, including that of longtime Birmingham Historical Society trustee, Patrick Cather.
