Rooster Blues

Rooster Blues
Parent companyBottled MaJic Music
Founded1980 (1980)
FounderJim O'Neal
Distributor(s)Rounder Records, Redeye Distribution
GenreBlues
Country of originU.S.
LocationMemphis, Tennessee

Rooster Blues is an American independent record label founded in 1980.

The label is dedicated to blues music from the Mississippi Delta. Rooster Blues was co-founded by Jim O'Neal in Chicago, and initially released 14 albums by South Side blues musicians. In 1986, O'Neal moved the label to Clarksdale, Mississippi and began focusing on the area's Delta blues performers.[1] Lonnie Pitchford and Lonnie Shields helped in the construction of the new recording studio facilities.[2]

Over the next 12 years, Rooster Blues released albums by Booba Barnes, Carey Bell, Eddy Clearwater, Willie Cobbs, Larry Davis, John Littlejohn, Lonnie Pitchford, Lonnie Shields, Magic Slim, Super Chikan, James Thomas, and Valerie Wellington.[3]

In 1998, the label suspended operations, and in 1999 it was sold to Bottled MaJic Music. However, in 2000, Rooster Blues resumed operations and celebrated its 20th anniversary by releasing Willie King's Freedom Creek, as well as reissuing some classic recordings such as Grand Slam by Magic Slim.[4]

  1. ^ "Former Home Of Stackhouse Delta Record Mart, Rooster Blues, and Stackhouse Recording Company". 66.203.147.88. Archived from the original on 2008-04-20. Retrieved 2008-06-10.
  2. ^ Cheseborough, Steve (2009). Blues Traveling: The Holy Sites of Delta Blues. Univ. Press of Mississippi. pp. 98–. ISBN 978-1-60473-328-0. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  3. ^ Zane, J. Peder (1995-01-22). "Pop Music: From the Heart of Blues Country". The New York Times. p. 30. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  4. ^ Wynn, Ron. "Music: Return of the Rooster (Nashville Scene . 06-19-00)". weeklywire.com. Retrieved 2008-06-10.