A 2019 Year End Letter From Chris

Hello, (I also sent this message via email)
I am an Acadian-Canadian artist. I am writing to inquire about usage of Harry Choates’ Devil in the Bayou. In 2009, I created the videotape Downunder before visiting Australia. For the audio, I remixed a portion of the song Devil in the Bayou to work with the visuals of doing handstands under water. I posted a credit for the song on the video.

Here is the link to my vimeo page with the video. https://vimeo.com/27098191

While my work is not created under a non-profit, they do not normally generate financial return, but I am sometimes invited to present in schools and at galleries. I now have the opportunity to publish a book with references to 30 years of artist videos created by myself and my partner. The book will be presented through the Small Walker Press, Brock University, Saint Catherine’s, Ontario, Canada in April of this year.

If I am able to use the song and provide credit for the source, I will include the references and link to the video in the book. I have written before but did not hear back. I hope that you will be able to answer my inquiry.

Sincerely,
– Valerie LeBlanc
Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada

Please pass this letter to:
To Mr. Chris Strachwitz

Dear Mr. Strachwitz,
In retrospect I should have written to you long time ago. I’m 73 and very often I’m thinking about my life. It could be different but I’m happy my life tracks went this way. It was the blues road, exciting mysterious and very natural. There was a day in 1970 when I’ve got that parcel of gold. It was unbelievable. I was living in communist country, behind the iron curtain. A lot of things were unavailable to me. No blues records, no music books, no press. And suddenly you sent me those 25 vinyl albums of ARHOOLIE RECORDS recordings. I was in shock. For the occasion I had a special meeting and a conversation in special department. They asked me who sent me this, what kind of relation it is, what I want to do with those records, to sell them etc.
For me, that parcel was like a brand new start, like turning point. I was writing for Jazz monthly magazine and I had my radio shows in Radio Poznań. I still broadcast blues there. But the blues came to me at last in full dimension with those fantastic records. Thank you very much once again. And this was the moment I devoted my life to music and specially to the blues. I studied sound producing and then journalism. I spent a lot of time in the studio, recording local pop and rock artists. But I envied you always, all those live recordings of Mance Lipscomb, Lightning Hopkins, Fred McDowell, Earl Hooker. But I’m happy that you gave me the chance to discover roots music of America. I specially tried my best to popularize blues in radio, writing articles and books, interviewing artists like B.B.King or Koko Taylor. In 2012 my article Arhoolie Records Story published in Twój Blues Magazine was named in readers poll Article Of The year. Twenty years ago I had a pleasure to meet you in Cannes, France when you came to Europe for MIDEM. You invited me for lunch with your European distributors. Thank you for those two hours.
You know I’m discovering my country of Poland now. I specially love the region you were born, Lower Silesia ( we call it Dolny Ślask), with those lovely hills and woods. I wish one day I will find the Gross Richenau (now Bogaczów) and the places of your childhood.
Today is a very noble day. I wish you all the best for your birthday, good health and many magic moments with the music you love.
With constant admiration Ryszard Gloger

Thanks for your great work/s ! Many blessings during this challenging time…
JOY Of Music will always abound.

Thanks for all the wonderful LPs I was so fortunate to come across back in the ’80s. I was just in time for the Great Record Sell Off. Sad that you don’t make them any more, although I noticed Rounder are making them again 🙂