Hi everyone—I’m trying to track down what appears to be a lost recording connected to my family.
My grandmother, Jill Holmes, performed in a 1950s country duo called The Oklahoma Sweethearts with Thelma Motter. They were based in Highspire, Pennsylvania and performed regularly with a band called the Oklahoma Travelers, including at local carnivals and events.
There is historical documentation confirming the group existed (local historical society records), but I have not been able to find any official discography, catalog listing, or commercial release tied to them.
What we know:
Active: likely early–mid 1950s
Location: Highspire / Harrisburg, PA area
Act: female country duo
Associated band: Oklahoma Travelers
Type of performances: local events, carnivals, possibly radio
Lost media details:
My family previously had what we believe may have been the only copy of a recording—possibly a vinyl record, acetate disc, or demo—but it was unfortunately destroyed years ago.
Because there is no record of a commercial release, I suspect this may have been:
a private/local pressing
a radio transcription or live recording
or an acetate/demo disc
What I’m looking for:
Any evidence that recordings were made (labels, studios, radio stations, etc.)
Existing copies (vinyl, acetate, reel-to-reel, etc.)
Mentions in archives, collections, or personal holdings
Leads on how to trace recordings from small regional acts of this era
This is a really meaningful piece of my family history, and I’d love to recover or even just confirm the existence of a recording if possible.
If anyone has experience tracking down similar local or undocumented recordings, I would greatly appreciate any guidance or leads.
Thank you so much!