26: Gennett Records

The early recorded history of jazz, blues, and country music in America usually isn’t associated with a place like Richmond, Indiana. However, for a brief period early in the 20th century the Gennett record label based in Richmond recorded music from artists such as Gene Autry, Charley Patton, Blind Lemon Jefferson, and Hoagy Carmichael. Learn about the history of the label from Rick Kennedy, the author of Jelly Roll, Bix, and Hoagy.

Music featured:
Charley Patton – Down the Dirt Road Blues
Fiddlin’ Doc Roberts – Deer Walk
Bix Beiderbecke – Davenport Blues
William Harris – Bullfrog Blues
Hoagy Carmichael & Pals – Stardust
King Oliver’s Creole Jazz Band – Chimes Blues
Jelly Roll Morton – King Porter Stomp
Scrapper Blackwell – Blue Day Blues

Recommended:
Blind Lemon Jefferson – Mosquito Moan
Charley Patton – Spoonful Blues
New Orleans Rhythm Kings – Mr. Jelly Lord
Fletcher Henderson – Honey Bunch
Marion McKay – Hootenanny

Sounds Used (freesound.org):

‘locomotive.wav’ by laurent, ‘Stem_Train.wav’ by knufds,

Note: When the episode was originally published, we used an incorrect estimation of the number of white males in the KKK in Richmond in the 1920’s. The issue was corrected in this version of the program. We regret the error.

 

Learn more at the Starr-Gennett Foundation website.

2 thoughts on “26: Gennett Records

  1. Hey guys, the sound quality and editing of your podcast is the best of the best as always. I am learning how to create engaging podcasts in my Digital Journalism class and just had some thoughts after listening to this episode. First, I was wondering why you don’t always cite your sources in the podcast, such as when you talk about 40% of the Richmond population being part of the KKK. We learn to always cite our sources and say “according to (whatever website) and then continue with the fact. When you introduce Rick Kennedy, why do you switch over to his voice when he says his name? You introduce him after and talk about his life, so is it necessary to still input the part when he says his name? The part when Rick Kennedy says the train would come and disrupt the recording and you played the train in the background is awesomely edited! I think you could include interviews with another source along with Rick Kennedy to give the podcast more reliability and just to offer new views. A wider variety of interviewees can help make the podcast more interesting to listen to and help the listeners further understand the topic being discussed.It would be sweet if it is possible to get in touch with someone that has connections to the Genett company, but I don’t know if that type of source is available because the company went out of business. Overall, I love listening to your podcasts. They are always so smooth and well edited as well as interesting, consisting of so many awesome interviews and stories. The way you use the sounds and music is always phenomenal! Great Work!

    • Thanks for listening and for the kind words, Ryan.

      In general, we use information given during the course of our interviews and verify what we use in the episodes to the best of our ability with other sources.

      In reference to introducing Rick and then using his voice: That was a stylistic choice. We tend to have guests give their own introduction so that our audience can briefly become familiar with their voice.

      We would love to have more voices and sources on the podcast, but as it stands, we do this podcast in between our other obligations and we are spending our own time and money to do it. If we had the means, we would be able to hire producers to help us with stories or tape synchs, but right now we’re making the best show we can with what we have available.

      Thanks again and I hope you are enjoying your digital journalism course. If you have other questions about our process, send them to craig@everythingsounds.org and I’ll answer to the best of my ability.

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