Highlights Archives
Wisconsin Blues Connection
The past . . .
The Wisconsin Blues Connection can be traced to 1888 when the Port Washington-based Wisconsin Chair Company transformed from a small Midwest furniture business into a leader in the "race record" market. This transformation was made possible through its recording subsidiary, the New York Recording Laboratories.
After manufacturing wooden phonograph cabinets for the Edison Company at the turn of the century, the Wisconsin Chair Company began to produce their own records in 1917. In an effort to better market and increase sales of their phonograph lines, the Wisconsin Chair Company launched Paramount Records. Paramount Records did not have a successful start as a recording company until a decision was made to produce records made by black performers for black audiences. During the 1930s Paramount was a leader in discovering and recording pioneering blues artists, despite the poor sound quality of their recordings. Paramount struggled to be competitive and was supported financially by the Wisconsin Chair Company's more profitable furniture business. A detailed history of the Wisconsin Chair Company and Paramount records can be discovered in Alex van der Tuuk's publication
Paramount's Rise and Fall: a History of the Wisconsin Chair Company and its Recording Activities.
The present . . .
In an effort to preserve the stories of Paramount Records and its workers for future generations, the founders of ParamountsHome have begun an oral history project in order to collect what few stories remain today. If you or a close relative worked at the Grafton studio or for Paramount Records, ParamountsHome wants to hear your stories. Stories can be recorded on the ParamountsHome Web site.
The Grafton Blues Association is currently raising funds to renovate the former Wisconsin Chair Factory location. By using the architectural drawings provided by the village of Grafton and working with the village and other Paramount specific organizations, the Grafton Blues Association hopes to change the historical location into a commemorative park. The Grafton Blues Association recently celebrated the Inaugural Paramount Blues Festival on Saturday, September 23, 2006.
The Madison Blues Society became a program partner with the Wisconsin Historical Museum in 2005 with the first season of the Wisconsin Blues Connection. The first annual event consisted of three evenings of blues music programming and open discussions on the history of the blues. This year the Madison Blues Society continues to support the Wisconsin Blues Connection in its efforts to increase awareness, understanding and appreciation of blues music in America's musical heritage.
On Friday, October 6, 2006, from 7 to 9 p.m., participate in The Story of Paramount Records. Angela and Patrick Mack, residents of Grafton and creators of ParamountsHome, will discuss Wisconsin's connection to early blues recordings and the exciting blues renaissance currently taking place in Grafton, Wisconsin. Following their lecture, enjoy a live performance by noted blues musician "Catfish" Stephenson of Madison as he plays music in the styles of 1930s Paramount Records artists such as Blind Lemon Jefferson, Skip James and Charley Patton.
On Friday, October 13, 2006 the Wisconsin Blues Connection will feature Paul Filipowicz and his band in Blues from the Delta to Chicago and Beyond. The program will feature performances of songs by the blues masters as well as original compositions by Paul Filipowicz. During his 30-year career, Paul Filipowicz has played with such notables as Hound Dog Taylor and Mighty Joe Young. Don't miss this opportunity to hear him play and present his personal views on his music and his career.
:: Posted October 6, 2006
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