Severn Records
Encyclopedia
Severn Records is an American
independent record label
that concentrates on blues
music. Since its founding in 1998, Severn has issued more than 50 albums. Its motto is "Roots Music for the 21st Century".
.
's The Whole Truth, Big Joe Maher's I'm Still Swinging, and Benjie Porecki's Servin' It Up. The demise of Black Top Records
had left the first two of these artists available to record on the new label. Subsequently, they have recorded six more albums with Severn. Porecki has recorded two more albums and provided keyboard backup on many Severn projects. In 1999, Severn reissued Steve Guyger's Past Life Blues. To produce these four albums, as well as ten more early ones, Severn made use of recording, mixing and mastering facilities at several commercial studios. Eventually, all these functions were carried out at a studio in the basement of Earl's house on the Severn River
in Crownsville, MD
.
. Here, its new offices were fitted out with better equipment, isolation booths, and rehearsal space. These facilities improved the production of albums and attracted new musicians to the label. These include: Mike Morgan
, Sugar Ray Norcia
, Lou Pride, and Tad Robinson
. Together with the four founding artists, they have created the core albums of the Severn discography.
Soon, unaffiliated musicians came to use Severn's facilities and personnel for their own recording projects. One of these was Norwegian accordion player J. T. Lauritsen, who recorded his album Squeezboxing in 2006. Another project, in 2006, was Mikey Jr's Look Inside My Pocket.
In 2005, Severn sponsored the "Chicago Blues Harmonica Project", which spotlights veteran Chicago
harmonica
artists. From this association, came the album Diamonds in the Rough, which was followed, in 2009, by More Rare Gems.
. This event, which was co-sponsored by the Baltimore Blues Society, featured Guyger, Norcia, Nulisch, Maher, Morgan, Porecki, Pride, Robinson, The All Mighty Senators, Kevin Anker, Steve Gomes, Willie Henderson
, Alex Schultz, Clarence Spady, Robb Stupka, and Monster Mike Welch.
. Here, new offices and studios were built by Winchester Construction Company.
The new facility opened in October 2011. It covers 3100 square feet devoted to offices, storage, and two studios. One of the studios incorporates a large tracking room, an isolation booth, and a control room, which is fitted out with a custom recording console. The other studio is intended as a a room for editing and mastering, but it can also serve as a second isolation booth.
Since it opened its new facilities, Severn has signed The Fabulous Thunderbirds
, The Nighthawks
, and Mud Morganfield, who is the eldest son of Muddy Waters
. It continues to record new albums by its established artists. In particular, Norcia's Evening was released on October 18, 2011.
, whose functions are to back up recording projects and to participate in promotional appearances. Its key members are Benjie Porecki (keyboards), Rob Stupka (drums), and Steve Gomes (bass). Gomes also serves as arranger, composer, and producer on many Severn releases. Three guitarists work with the band: Alex Schultz, Monster Mike Welch, and Johnny Moeller
. Schultz created the Severn release Think About It. Welch, who was featured on Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, has recorded several albums on other labels. Moeller did Bloogaloo. He is lead guitarist for The Fabulous Thunderbirds
, but he participates occasionally on his own projects with Severn, as well as on those of the Thunderbirds.
working with the Studio Band. These have included members of the Memphis Horns, who appeared on many releases by Stax Records
, and of The Airmen of Note
, which is the premier jazz ensemble of the US Air Force
. Willie Henderson
plays a key role in arranging, producing, and conducting horn passages. Along similar lines, Robinson's A New Point of View features musicians from the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
. A very important component of the label's operations is Apple's iTunes Store
, for Severn's complete catalog is available there. John Monforte, an electronics engineer from Miami, FL
, keeps Severn's computers and audio equipment in good repair and up to date. He made a major contribution to the design and construction of the Annapolis studios.
(Arkansas), the 2009 Cognac Blues Passions (France), and the 2009 Piazza Blues Festival (Switzerland).
selected Joe Maher's album, I'm Still Swinging, for one of their "Wammie
" awards. Over the years, the association has recognized Maher with two more awards as a vocalist and fifteen nominations, some of which were for his band, The Dynaflows. On November 1, 2011, the Blues Foundation
announced that Severn had been chosen for one of its 2012 "Keeping the Blues Alive" awards. From 2005 to 2011, the foundation nominated Severn artists and albums for twenty five awards.
Darrell Nulisch
Sugar Ray And The Bluetones
Lou Pride
Chicago Blues Harmonica Project
Big Joe & The Dynaflows
Benjie Porecki
Mike Morgan & The Crawl
Tad Robinson
Ken Clark Organ Trio
Compilations
Various Artists
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
that concentrates on blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
music. Since its founding in 1998, Severn has issued more than 50 albums. Its motto is "Roots Music for the 21st Century".
History
On July 11, 1997, a company named Echo Records was incorporated in Maryland by David Earl. By the time of its founding and first releases in 1998, the new company had changed its name to Severn Records. This change eliminated any possibility of confusion with Ecko RecordsEcko Records
Ecko Records is an American blues and soul blues record label, founded in 1995 by John Ward in Memphis, Tennessee. Ecko Records has released albums by Rufus Thomas, Barbara Carr, Denise LaSalle, Lee "Shot" Williams, Bill Coday, Earl Gaines, Ollie Nightingale, Carl Sims, Quinn Golden, and numerous...
.
Founding in Crownsville, MD
Severn released three albums in 1998: Darrell NulischDarrell Nulisch
Darrell Nulisch is an American electric blues singer and harmonica player. Prior to his solo career, he was a member of Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets and The Broadcasters...
's The Whole Truth, Big Joe Maher's I'm Still Swinging, and Benjie Porecki's Servin' It Up. The demise of Black Top Records
Black Top Records
Black Top Records was a New Orleans, Louisiana based independent record label founded in 1981 by brothers Nauman S. Scott, III and Hammond Scott. The label specialized in blues and R&B music. The first release was "Talk To You By Hand" by Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets...
had left the first two of these artists available to record on the new label. Subsequently, they have recorded six more albums with Severn. Porecki has recorded two more albums and provided keyboard backup on many Severn projects. In 1999, Severn reissued Steve Guyger's Past Life Blues. To produce these four albums, as well as ten more early ones, Severn made use of recording, mixing and mastering facilities at several commercial studios. Eventually, all these functions were carried out at a studio in the basement of Earl's house on the Severn River
Severn River (Maryland)
The Severn River runs through Anne Arundel County in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is located south of the Magothy River, and north of the South River.-Geography:...
in Crownsville, MD
Crownsville, Maryland
Crownsville is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,670 at the 2000 census. It hosts the Anne Arundel County Fair each September, as well as the annual Maryland Renaissance Festival for several summer weekends. A state psychiatric hospital...
.
Growth in Severn, MD
In 2001, Severn Records moved to Severn, MDSevern, Maryland
Severn is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 35,076 at the 2000 census, which is a 30 percent increase over the 24,499 population of 1990...
. Here, its new offices were fitted out with better equipment, isolation booths, and rehearsal space. These facilities improved the production of albums and attracted new musicians to the label. These include: Mike Morgan
Mike Morgan (musician)
Mike Morgan is an American Texas and electric blues musician. He has released thirteen albums to date, on various record labels including Rounder, Black Top and Severn Records. The majority of his releases have featured his long standing backing band, The Crawl...
, Sugar Ray Norcia
Sugar Ray Norcia
Sugar Ray Norcia is an American electric and soul blues singer and harmonica player. He is best known for his work with his backing band, The Bluetones, with whom he has released seven albums since 1980.-Biography:...
, Lou Pride, and Tad Robinson
Tad Robinson
Tad Robinson is an American soul blues singer.Robinson was born and raised in New York City, United States, attending school at Indiana University's school of music and graduating in 1980...
. Together with the four founding artists, they have created the core albums of the Severn discography.
Soon, unaffiliated musicians came to use Severn's facilities and personnel for their own recording projects. One of these was Norwegian accordion player J. T. Lauritsen, who recorded his album Squeezboxing in 2006. Another project, in 2006, was Mikey Jr's Look Inside My Pocket.
In 2005, Severn sponsored the "Chicago Blues Harmonica Project", which spotlights veteran Chicago
Chicago blues
The Chicago blues is a form of blues music that developed in Chicago, Illinois, by taking the basic acoustic guitar and harmonica-based Delta blues, making the harmonica louder with a microphone and an instrument amplifier, and adding electrically amplified guitar, amplified bass guitar, drums,...
harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
artists. From this association, came the album Diamonds in the Rough, which was followed, in 2009, by More Rare Gems.
Tenth Anniversary Celebration
On September 27, 2008, Severn celebrated its 10th anniversary with a party at the Fish Head Cantina in Arbutus, MDArbutus, Maryland
As of the 2010 Census Arbutus had a population of 20,583. The racial and ethnic compositon of the population was 76.6% non-Hispanic white, 9.5% non-Hispanic black, 0.2% Native American, 2.1% Asian Indian, 6.5% other Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% non-Hispanic from some other race, 2.3% from...
. This event, which was co-sponsored by the Baltimore Blues Society, featured Guyger, Norcia, Nulisch, Maher, Morgan, Porecki, Pride, Robinson, The All Mighty Senators, Kevin Anker, Steve Gomes, Willie Henderson
Willie Henderson (musician)
Willie Henderson is an American soul musician. Henderson moved to Chicago with his family while still a child, and began playing the baritone saxophone. He gigged with Otis Rush, Syl Johnson, Alvin Cash, and Harold Burrage while in his twenties, and began working for Brunswick Records in 1968...
, Alex Schultz, Clarence Spady, Robb Stupka, and Monster Mike Welch.
Annapolis, MD
In 2010, Severn Records moved to Renard Court in Annapolis, MDAnnapolis, Maryland
Annapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland, as well as the county seat of Anne Arundel County. It had a population of 38,394 at the 2010 census and is situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east of Washington, D.C. Annapolis is...
. Here, new offices and studios were built by Winchester Construction Company.
The new facility opened in October 2011. It covers 3100 square feet devoted to offices, storage, and two studios. One of the studios incorporates a large tracking room, an isolation booth, and a control room, which is fitted out with a custom recording console. The other studio is intended as a a room for editing and mastering, but it can also serve as a second isolation booth.
Since it opened its new facilities, Severn has signed The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American, Grammy-nominated Blues rock band, formed in 1974.-Career:After performing for several years in the Austin, Texas blues scene, the band won a recording contract with Takoma/Chrysalis Records, and later on signed with Epic Records.Their first two albums,...
, The Nighthawks
The Nighthawks
The Nighthawks are an American blues and roots music band, based in Washington, D.C. The Nighthawks currently are Mark Wenner , Paul Bell , Johnny Castle , and Mark Stutso...
, and Mud Morganfield, who is the eldest son of Muddy Waters
Muddy Waters
McKinley Morganfield , known as Muddy Waters, was an American blues musician, generally considered the "father of modern Chicago blues"...
. It continues to record new albums by its established artists. In particular, Norcia's Evening was released on October 18, 2011.
"That Severn Sound"
The title of this section quotes what J. T. Lauritsen said he wanted when he came to Severn. The paragraphs that follow describe some aspects of Severn's operations that contribute to its distinctive sound.The Severn Studio Band
Severn maintains a house bandHouse band
For the British band that existed from 1984-2001, see The House BandA house band is a group of musicians, often centrally organized by a band leader, who regularly play an establishment. It is widely used to refer both to the bands who work on entertainment programs on television or radio, and to...
, whose functions are to back up recording projects and to participate in promotional appearances. Its key members are Benjie Porecki (keyboards), Rob Stupka (drums), and Steve Gomes (bass). Gomes also serves as arranger, composer, and producer on many Severn releases. Three guitarists work with the band: Alex Schultz, Monster Mike Welch, and Johnny Moeller
Johnny Moeller
Johnny Moeller is an American blues guitarist currently with The Fabulous Thunderbirds....
. Schultz created the Severn release Think About It. Welch, who was featured on Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, has recorded several albums on other labels. Moeller did Bloogaloo. He is lead guitarist for The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American, Grammy-nominated Blues rock band, formed in 1974.-Career:After performing for several years in the Austin, Texas blues scene, the band won a recording contract with Takoma/Chrysalis Records, and later on signed with Epic Records.Their first two albums,...
, but he participates occasionally on his own projects with Severn, as well as on those of the Thunderbirds.
Key personnel and organizations
Many Severn albums feature horn sectionsHorn section
In music, a horn section can refer to several groups of musicians. It can refer to the musicians in a symphony orchestra who play the horn . In a British-style brass band it refers to the tenor horn players. In popular music, it can also refer to a small group of wind instrumentalists who augment a...
working with the Studio Band. These have included members of the Memphis Horns, who appeared on many releases by Stax Records
Stax Records
Stax Records is an American record label, originally based in Memphis, Tennessee.Founded in 1957 as Satellite Records, the name Stax Records was adopted in 1961. The label was a major factor in the creation of the Southern soul and Memphis soul music styles, also releasing gospel, funk, jazz, and...
, and of The Airmen of Note
The Airmen of Note
The Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. Originally created in 1950 to carry on the tradition of Major Glenn Miller's Army Air Corps dance band, the “Note” is one of the few touring big bands, and has attracted 18 professional jazz musicians from across the...
, which is the premier jazz ensemble of the US Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
. Willie Henderson
Willie Henderson (musician)
Willie Henderson is an American soul musician. Henderson moved to Chicago with his family while still a child, and began playing the baritone saxophone. He gigged with Otis Rush, Syl Johnson, Alvin Cash, and Harold Burrage while in his twenties, and began working for Brunswick Records in 1968...
plays a key role in arranging, producing, and conducting horn passages. Along similar lines, Robinson's A New Point of View features musicians from the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra is based in Annapolis, Maryland, and has been in operation since 1962. Its founders included Kenneth W. Page, a well-respected civic leader in the Annapolis area during the 1960s. He was also the music director of the Annapolis High School band...
. A very important component of the label's operations is Apple's iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
, for Severn's complete catalog is available there. John Monforte, an electronics engineer from Miami, FL
Miami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
, keeps Severn's computers and audio equipment in good repair and up to date. He made a major contribution to the design and construction of the Annapolis studios.
Touring with the Severn Soul Review
The Severn Soul Review refers to one or more Severn artists backed up by the Studio Band. Its main purpose is to promote Severn releases. It does this not only by performing locally and regionally, but also by touring the United States and Europe. In this role, it has appeared at many festivals. In particular, the Review appeared at the Lucerne Blues Festival (Switzerland) in 2010, 2008, and 2004. Lou Pride's appearance here in 2010 was a significant comeback, because he came to the festival in 2004, but had a heart attack before he could perform. The Severn Soul Review also appeared at the 2006 Beaches International Jazz Festival (Canada), the 2008 King Biscuit Blues FestivalKing Biscuit Blues Festival
The King Biscuit Blues Festival is an annual multi-day Blues festival held in Helena, Arkansas which attracts upwards of 100,000 Blues aficionados.The name comes from “King Biscuit Time,” which was the longest running radio show...
(Arkansas), the 2009 Cognac Blues Passions (France), and the 2009 Piazza Blues Festival (Switzerland).
Awards
In 1998, the Washington Area Music AssociationWashington Area Music Association
The Washington Area Music Association is a regional music industry not-for-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.. WAMA's activity centers around highlighting the area's cultural contribution by assisting regional musicians with becoming recognized on a national scale.The organization...
selected Joe Maher's album, I'm Still Swinging, for one of their "Wammie
Washington Area Music Awards
The Washington Area Music Awards are a music award for Washington, D.C. area performers, issued by the Washington Area Music Association . The awards are issued at an annual awards program....
" awards. Over the years, the association has recognized Maher with two more awards as a vocalist and fifteen nominations, some of which were for his band, The Dynaflows. On November 1, 2011, the Blues Foundation
Blues Foundation
The Blues Foundation is an American nonprofit corporation, headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, that is affiliated with more than 175 Blues organizations from various parts of the world....
announced that Severn had been chosen for one of its 2012 "Keeping the Blues Alive" awards. From 2005 to 2011, the foundation nominated Severn artists and albums for twenty five awards.
Discography
Steve Guyger- 1999 - Past Life Blues, Reissue
- 2008 - Radio Blues
Darrell Nulisch
- 1998 - The Whole Truth
- 2000 - I Like It That Way
- 2003 - Times Like These
- 2007 - Goin' Back To Dallas
- 2009 - Just For You
Sugar Ray And The Bluetones
- 2001 - Rockin' Sugar Daddy
- 2003 - Sugar Ray & the Bluetones, featuring Monster Mike Welch
- 2005 - Hands Across The Table
- 2007 - My Life, My Friends, My Music
- 2011 - Evening
Lou Pride
- 2002 - Words Of Caution
- 2003 - The Memphis / El Paso Sessions
- 2005 - Keep On Believing
Chicago Blues Harmonica Project
- 2005 - Diamonds In The Rough
- 2009 - More Rare Gems
Big Joe & The Dynaflows
- 1998 - I'm Still Swingin
- 2000 - All Night Long
- 2011 - You Can't Keep A Big Man Down
Benjie Porecki
- 1998 - Servin' It Up
- 2001 - The Rest Of My Life
- 2001 - Small-Medium-Large, with the WPG Trio
Mike Morgan & The Crawl
- 2002 - Texas Man
- 2004 - Live In Dallas
- 2008 - Stronger Every Day
Tad Robinson
- 2004 - Did You Ever Wonder
- 2007 - A New Point Of View
- 2010 - Back In Style
Ken Clark Organ Trio
- 2003 - Eternal Funk
- 2005 - Mutual Respect
Compilations
- 2005 - Various artists, Roots Music for the 21st Century
- 2006 - All Mighty Senators, Checkered Past, New Tomorrow: Essential Ams
Various Artists
- 1999 - Ola Dixon, Labor Of Love
- 2000 - Roy GainesRoy GainesRoy Gaines is an American Texas blues and electric blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Gaines recorded work includes his self-penned track, "A Hell of a Night", which first appeared on his 1982 album, Gaineling...
, New Frontier Lover - 2002 - Bruce ConteBruce ConteBruce Conte is an American R&B / jazz fusion guitarist, known primarily for his work with the band Tower Of Power of which he was a member from 1972 to 1979, performing on seven albums and rejoining the band for live work briefly in 2006-7.-Biography:...
, Bullet Proof - 2002 - Louisiana RedLouisiana RedLouisiana Red is an African American blues guitarist, harmonica player, and singer, who has recorded more than 50 albums...
, A Different Shade Of Red - 2003 - J Street Jumpers, Good For Stompin
- 2003 - The Rockin' Highliners, Sputnik Café
- 2004 - Nora Jean Bruso, Going Back To Mississippi
- 2004 - Roy CarrierRoy CarrierRoy Carrier , was an American Zydeco musician. He was the father of Chubby and Dikki Du Carrier, who followed their father into Zydeco music.-Early years:...
And The Night Rockers, Living Legend
- 2004 - Jelly Roll All-Stars, Must Be Jelly
- 2004 - The Bruce KatzBruce KatzBruce Katz is an American musician, playing piano, organ and bass guitar. Since 1996, he has been on the faculty at the Berklee College of Music in Boston as an associate professor.-Biography:...
Band, A Deeper Blue - 2004 - The Joe Kap Organ Trio, Street Noise
- 2004 - Roy Tyler and New Directions. Three Way Calling
- 2004 - Alex Schultz, Think About It
- 2006 - Buck Hill, Relax
- 2008 - Clarence Spady, Just Between Us
- 2009 - Charles Wilson, Troubled Child
- 2010 - Johnny MoellerJohnny MoellerJohnny Moeller is an American blues guitarist currently with The Fabulous Thunderbirds....
, Bloogaloo