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Frontera project receives two new grants

The Arhoolie Foundation is excited to announce that we have just received generous grants from the Grammy Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities to continue our digital preservation of the Frontera Collection of Mexican American Records. The Frontera project has already digitized over 90,000 recordings from 78’s, 45’s and cassettes. This new funding will allow us to digitize the LPs and rare master tapes in the collection. These will be available on line through the UCLA Digital Library’s Frontera website.

 

We are especially grateful for the ongoing support that both of these organizations have given us over the life of this project. Our work would not be possible without them.


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.