The Keith Ferguson collection includes artifacts, manuscripts, and audio-visual materials from the childhood and professional career of the internationally respected musician. ; Keith Ferguson, noted bass guitarist, was born on July 23, 1946. He was raised in the Sixth Ward of Houston, Texas, and graduated from San Jacinto High School in 1964. Ferguson, who played left-handed, worked with Carlos Santana, Johnny Winter, Peter Kaukonen, Jimmy and Stevie Ray Vaughn. He was a founding member of The Fabulous Thunderbirds and played with groups such as Night Crawlers, Texas Cajun Trio, The Tail Gators, and Big Guitars from Texas. ; Ferguson was nominated for a Grammy in 1986 for his work with the Big Guitars (a strictly instrumental, Austin-based band). He also won the Austin Music Award for Best Bass Guitar in 1985, and in 1997 he was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame. Keith Ferguson died in Austin on April 29, 1997, of liver failure.