Our Mission
With the help of Tonya BlackOwl of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma , Restoring and Releasing 60 Years of Audio Recordings, dating back to the 1940s including, Songs, Interviews, and Powwows,.
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Our Vision
My name is Tonya BlackOwl, of the Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma and I'm passionate about preserving the past through the restoration of vintage audio. There's something magical about holding a piece of history in your hands, and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to share this journey with all of you.
Restoring audio tapes from 1940s is no easy feat. For starters, the tapes themselves are incredibly fragile - they're over 70 years old, which means they're prone to deterioration. The magnetic coating that holds the audio information is literally flaking off, and the plastic reels are brittle and prone to cracking. And that's just the physical challenge - the real hurdle is the emotional weight of the stories these tapes contain. They're a window into the past, a snapshot of a moment in time that's both fascinating and heartbreaking.
The technology itself is also a major obstacle. I've had to scour the country to find the right people to help me transfer the audio to a digital format. And even then, there are no guarantees - the tapes may be too far gone, or the machines may not be able to read them properly. It's a constant battle to find the right balance between preserving the original audio and making it sound good enough for modern ears.
But despite all these challenges, I'm driven by a sense of responsibility to preserve this audio history. These tapes contain stories that need to be told, laughter and tears that need to be heard. I feel like I'm not just restoring audio - I'm giving a voice to the people who came before us, who lived through wars and depressions and moments of great triumph.
I've spent countless hours pouring over these tapes, and I've heard some incredible stories. I've heard laughter and tears, music and whispers. I've heard people talking about their hopes and dreams, their fears and insecurities. And I've heard moments of pure, unadulterated joy.
As I look back on this journey, I'm struck by the importance of preserving our audio heritage. These tapes are more than just relics of the past - they're a window into our collective history, a reminder of where we've come from and how far we've traveled. They're a reminder that our stories matter, that our voices deserve to be heard.
Thanks for joining me on this incredible journey. If you're as passionate about vintage audio as I am, I'd love to hear from you in the comments. Do you have any personal stories? Let's chat! And if you're new here, consider subscribing to my channel for more restorations and stories. Until next time, stay vintage!
Join Us
GIVE HISTORY A VOICE
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission. historic video of Powwows and Native American Culture and with remastered audio
Contact Us
Contact Tonya BlackOwl of The Ponca Tribe of Oklahoma
to learn more about Cultural and Powwow Presentations For Your Next Event!!!
Mule Train Studios
315 E Division St Marine IL 62061
joshua@muletrainstudios.com tonyablackowl@muletrainstudios.com
