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William Christopher Handy was born on November 16, 1873, in Florence, Alabama. During his childhood, his family discouraged his interest in music. Despite all odds, W.C. Handy established an illustrious career in music after high school leading him to be dubbed “the Father of the Blues.” Handy passed away on March 28, 1958, in New York City.
Since 1982, the Music Preservation Society of Alabama Shoals has held a weeklong music festival in honor of Handy’s musical achievements in Florence, Alabama. The William Christopher Handy Digital Archival Collection contains memorabilia related to the impact of the festival and Handy himself on the Shoals area.
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