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“Canciones De Mis Abuelos” is a project dedicated to preserving and promoting the untold stories of the musicians and music archived in the Frontera Collection. This initiative aims to create an online database of musicians, as recounted through the eyes, ears, and words of their family members. The project will collect and document a broad range of musical genres and performers, including boleros, rancheras, corridos, huapangos, and others.

The project’s inspiration arises from the awareness that a significant void of information exists in the history of musicians who have contributed to musical history in the United States and beyond, and they are in danger of being lost over time. Our grandparents and great-grandparents are the repositories of these songs and the stories that come with them, but their knowledge is often not passed down to younger generations.

To address this problem, “Canciones De Mis Abuelos” project will work directly with family members and online communities to collect their stories and showcase their songs archived in the Frontera Collection.

Overall, “Canciones De Mis Abuelos” aims to preserve and promote the music and histories of these musicians by documenting and preserving the stories and songs of our grandparents. The project’s objective is to ensure that this vital aspect of our cultural heritage is not lost to future generations.

Would you like to share the story of your family’s contribution to this music? 


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.