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Nick Spitzer Joins Advisory Board

We are greatly honored to welcome our friend Nick Spitzer to the Arhoolie Foundation Advisory Board. As the producer and host of the wonderful public radio program American Routes, Nick, for twelve years running, has presented a broad view of American music  — blues and jazz, gospel and soul, old-time country and rockabilly, Cajun and zydeco, Tejano and Latin, roots rock and pop, avant-garde and classical. Week after week, he talks to the musicians and the communities behind it all, bringing their voices and stories right into the dashboards and living rooms of listeners all over the country.

Click here to read more about Nick.

Click here for a direct link to this week’s program featuring a 1999 interview with Arhoolie Foundation President Chris Strachwitz.


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.