Circus World Digital Collections
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The circus is known as a visual experience but it is also an explosion of sound.  The Robert L. Parkinson Library and Research Center at Circus World holds an extensive collection of sound recordings on a variety of formats including glass and vinyl phonographic records, magnetic tape, cassette tape, and digital files.  Access to these materials is often restricted due to the fragile condition of the original recordings or the availability of functioning vintage equipment.
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​Since 2015 the library has embarked on a project to digitize its sound recordings. The results of this project can be heard on this page. Here you will find oral history interviews, musical performances, and vintage radio advertisements from the 1940s through the present day. 
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Full catalog listings for each audio file can be found in the library online catalog circus.pastperfectonline.com/ under call numbers starting with "CWM AUDIO."

To listen to any audio recording click on a button. A new page including both the sound recording and transcript (if available) will appear. 

Manager and Proprietor ​
CWM Audio 1, Floyd King 1973

Performer, Proprietor, and Manager
CWM Audio 2, Arthur Concello, 1973

Manager and Proprietor 
CWM Audio 3, Tom Parkinson-Floyd King, 1973

Multiple interviews of early 20th century circus performers and employees
CWM Audio 4, Richard Flint Interviews 1972-1973

Musician
CWM Audio 5, G.A. Gustad, 1967

Press Agent 
CWM Audio 6, Jack Ryan, 2014

Performer
CWM Audio 7, Jens Larson, 2014

Hartford Fire Survivor ​
CWM Audio 8, Catriona Sieracki Clip, 2012

Performer
CWM Audio 9, Joanne Wilson

Performer
CWM Audio 11 Kim Sue Valla

CWM Audio 12, Nick Weber

CWM Audio 13 Ann Stephenson

CWM Audio 15 Rodger Zoppe

Press Agent
CWM Audio 18, Bev Kelley, 1980


Performer
CWM Audio 21, Mark David Pilger, 1988

Performer
CWM Audio 22, Barry Lubin, 1989

Performer 
CWM Audio 24, Kay Rosaire, 1988

Performer
CWM Audio 26, Struppi Hanneford, 1988

Performer
CWM Audio 27, Tommy Hanneford, 1988

Performer
CWM Audio 28, Gaylord Maynard, 1988

Performer
CWM Audio 29, Evy Karoly, 1988

Performer
CWM Audio 30, Mark Karoly, 1989

Performer
CWM Audio 33, Lou Jacobs, 1989

Performer
CWM Audio 34, The Great Wilno

Performer 
CWM Audio 47, Pam and Kay Rosaire, 2016

Multiple Performers
CWM Audio 48-1, Radio interview, 1948

Multiple Performers 
CWM Audio 48-2, Radio interview, 1948

Radio Advertisement
CWM Audio 48-3, Ringling Bros. Radio Ad, 1940s

Radio Advertisement
CWM Audio 48-4, Cole Bros. Radio Ad, early 1940s

Radio Advertisement
 
CWM Audio 48-5, Polack Bros. Radio Ad, 1959

Recorded Live Performance
CWM Audio 56-1 King Bros. Performance, 1954

Recorded Live Performance
CWM Audio 56-2 Cole Bros. Performance, 1949

Recorded Live 
​Performance
CWM Audio 56-3, Ringling Bros. 1951

Performer 
CWM Audio 57, Damoo Dhotre, circa 1942

Radio Broadcast, 1943
CWM Audio 58, Ringling-Barnum Broadcast, 1943

Radio Advertisement
CWM Audio 59, Clyde Beatty Circus, 1955

Vaudeville recording
CWM Audio 60, "Sheriff's Sale of a Stranded Circus"

Performer
CWM Audio 61, Dennis Zoppe, 1990

Performer
CWM Audio 62, Nellie Hanneford, 1989

Performer, Manager, and Proprietor
CWM Audio 63, Luke Anderson, 1994

Performer and Proprietor 
CWM Audio 64, Robert Steele, 1989

Cook House department
CWM Audio 65, William Hommell Sr.

Performer
CWM Audio 66, Jorgen Christiansen, 1965

Various Ringling Employees 
CWM Audio 70, Ringling Reunion Interviews, 2017

Clowns
CWM Audio 71, Dustin Portillo and Brandon Foster

Performer
CWM Audio 74, Antoinette Concello, 1978

Manager
CWM Audio 75, Rudy Bundy, circa 1980

Magician
CWM Audio 76, Dan Stapleton, 2018

Clown and Administrator 
CWM Audio 77, Peggy Williams, 2018

Transportation Manager-Railroads
CWM, Audio 78, Joe DeMike, 2018

Performer and Administrator 
CWM Audio 79, Janice Aria, 2018

Clown College 
CWM Audio 80, Robert Momyer, 2019

Independent Sound 
Clips 
Sound Clips
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