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New Blog Shares Discoveries

The Arhoolie Foundation introduces This Ain’t No Mouse Blog to present stories from the Arhoolie Foundation’s extraordinary archive of American roots music and vernacular culture. Featuring contributions from Foundation staff and interns, the blog features close looks at fascinating finds, updates on preservation projects, and curated highlights from across our collection of sound and video recordings, photographs, posters, papers, and more.

Want to learn more about Chris’s legendary recording trips? How about discovering the backstories of iconic album covers, like the photo of Clifton and Cleveland Chenier from Jazz Fest 1979? Curious about the one-of-a-kind posters in our archive? This Ain’t No Mouse Blog will share these and other stories behind the amazing artifacts in our archive. Check it out today at https://arhoolie.org/category/aint-no-mouse-blog/


Statement on the passing of Chris Strachwitz

Arhoolie Records Founder
July 1, 1931 – May 5, 2023

We celebrate the life of our founder, friend, and great record man Chris Strachwitz. He died peacefully at home in Marin County, CA, surrounded in his last days by dear friends and family. Over his 91 years, Chris captured the music that represents the best “down home music” the world has to offer.

He was at the forefront of nearly all the roots revivals over the last 60 years including blues, zydeco, Cajun, Norteño and Tejano music. His drive to document traditional music helped introduce the nation to our diverse musical heritage. He had the foresight to save music that might have otherwise been lost to obscurity and played a role in strengthening cultural traditions through his records, films, and most recently the Arhoolie Foundation. He cared for those around him, fought for royalties and recognition for Arhoolie artists, and provided counsel to countless musicians, writers, film makers, and academics.

Plans for a public celebration of his life will be announced in the coming weeks. Today we’re thinking of all that Chris brought to our lives and the lives of the musicians and fans with whom he shared his passion.