Frank Scott Series
Series
Scope and Contents
From the Collection:
The Frank Scott Photograph Collection was organized into four series: Frank Scott, WDAY Radio, Frank Scott’s bands, and Subject files. The images span from his youth in Fargo, N.D. and at WDAY Radio to his bands that performed in California and his association with Lawrence Welk. The collection consists of 91 images, both color and gelatin silver, 8 x 10 inches and smaller. The Frank and Audrey Scott papers have been processed as Mss 195.
The Frank Scott Series includes a nice series of images from the last dance held at Festival Hall on the campus of North Dakota State University, the evening before it was demolished in 1982. They include images of Frank Scott, the band he directed, entertainers and various images of the large crowd in attendance.
Mr. Scott played one of his arrangements with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and there are several views of him, the conductor and the orchestra. There are several files of Scott at the piano and portraits spanning from youth to shortly before his death. The “with people” file includes Scott posing with North Dakota Governor Bill and Jean Guy (1991), Quentin Burdick, Lois Childers placing cake on a piano while Frank is playing, and a group of men and women visiting in living room, likely in California. Seated by a large drum is Audrey Remme, his future wife.
The WDAY Radio Series includes a number of very interesting images of Scott and other performers at the radio station, both in the studio and while on the road. In one scene Frank Scott is shown arranging music at his desk, likely from the 1940s; as well as a view of the “A” arrangements he had done laid out on an office floor. There are two shots of Scott and WDAY pianist Pat Kelly and another series of two images with two men, one dressed in a tuxedo. The public performances file includes snapshots of various WDAY entertainers while on the road, in a bus, the band members, and two images of entertainers from WDAY’s 25th anniversary, circa 1947. The studio file contains primarily images of WDAY entertainers, some standing before a microphone. There is also one photograph of Don Roseland playing the piano surrounded by WDAY employees (1949-1950). The Frank Scott Bands Series consists of views of his various bands or bands he conducted, both in North Dakota and California. In some, the band is performing and Scott is at the piano. The California images are taken mostly in the Palm Desert-Rancho Mirage-Palm Springs area country clubs. Most show the band performing and one view of the audience. Frank Scott is playing the piano in several of them. Many of the images are in color including a series of his Frank Scott Big Band playing at the Fargo Holiday Inn in 1975. The Subject Files Series contain a variety of images related to Frank Scott. There are photographs of the Kenny Jones and the Streamliners band, the Bob Crosby Orchestra, and an unidentified band but likely in the F-M area. Laura Campbell was Frank Scott’s piano teacher and there is a photograph of her seated at a grand piano in a home, from the 1930s. Frank Scott’s father, Frank R. Scott, was president of Merchants National Bank & Trust Co. in Fargo for which there are a several exterior and interior views of the building on Broadway. One interior view shows the bank celebrating its 50th anniversary with floral bouquets on counters and floor, many photographs on display and two men standing in the center of the lobby, likely one of them being Frank R. Scott. The Lawrence Welk Orchestra file includes portraits of Frank Scott at the piano, with Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren and George Cates. There is a formal orchestra portrait and a snapshot of Frank playing the piano for Norma Zimmer who is singing. A humorous formal photograph shows Dick Kesner, George Thow and Norm Bailey around Rocky Rockwell who is trying to tear up a musical arrangement. The text bubble above Rockwell reads "Another !!?? Frank Scott arrangement.” Finally there is a shot of Frank Scott and Jim Baccus with two cast members of West is the Land, a musical written and composed by Baccus and Scott and performed at Fargo. The two musical performers are not identified.
The WDAY Radio Series includes a number of very interesting images of Scott and other performers at the radio station, both in the studio and while on the road. In one scene Frank Scott is shown arranging music at his desk, likely from the 1940s; as well as a view of the “A” arrangements he had done laid out on an office floor. There are two shots of Scott and WDAY pianist Pat Kelly and another series of two images with two men, one dressed in a tuxedo. The public performances file includes snapshots of various WDAY entertainers while on the road, in a bus, the band members, and two images of entertainers from WDAY’s 25th anniversary, circa 1947. The studio file contains primarily images of WDAY entertainers, some standing before a microphone. There is also one photograph of Don Roseland playing the piano surrounded by WDAY employees (1949-1950). The Frank Scott Bands Series consists of views of his various bands or bands he conducted, both in North Dakota and California. In some, the band is performing and Scott is at the piano. The California images are taken mostly in the Palm Desert-Rancho Mirage-Palm Springs area country clubs. Most show the band performing and one view of the audience. Frank Scott is playing the piano in several of them. Many of the images are in color including a series of his Frank Scott Big Band playing at the Fargo Holiday Inn in 1975. The Subject Files Series contain a variety of images related to Frank Scott. There are photographs of the Kenny Jones and the Streamliners band, the Bob Crosby Orchestra, and an unidentified band but likely in the F-M area. Laura Campbell was Frank Scott’s piano teacher and there is a photograph of her seated at a grand piano in a home, from the 1930s. Frank Scott’s father, Frank R. Scott, was president of Merchants National Bank & Trust Co. in Fargo for which there are a several exterior and interior views of the building on Broadway. One interior view shows the bank celebrating its 50th anniversary with floral bouquets on counters and floor, many photographs on display and two men standing in the center of the lobby, likely one of them being Frank R. Scott. The Lawrence Welk Orchestra file includes portraits of Frank Scott at the piano, with Lawrence Welk, Myron Floren and George Cates. There is a formal orchestra portrait and a snapshot of Frank playing the piano for Norma Zimmer who is singing. A humorous formal photograph shows Dick Kesner, George Thow and Norm Bailey around Rocky Rockwell who is trying to tear up a musical arrangement. The text bubble above Rockwell reads "Another !!?? Frank Scott arrangement.” Finally there is a shot of Frank Scott and Jim Baccus with two cast members of West is the Land, a musical written and composed by Baccus and Scott and performed at Fargo. The two musical performers are not identified.
Dates
- 1930s-1990s
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Extent
From the Collection: 91 Photographic Prints (91 photographic prints)
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Creator
- From the Collection: Scott, Frank. (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu