University of Arizona

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Ralph Johnson Colwell papers

This collection consists of Ralph Johnson Colwell's papers, a majority of which pertain to his work with Up with People in the years he was employed as Director of Show Productions and later as Director of TV and Video productions. In 1965 Colwell, with his brother Paul, wrote the song "Up with People". They, with a third brother Steve, performed with the first Up with People cast, continued to write songs, and are among the musical founders of the program. The collection includes administrative files, show creation and production records, performance materials, event and performance scripts, photographic materials, audiovisual materials and event recordings, oversize awards, and some post-Up with People materials. Items are arranged into series and then arranged alphabetically.