Oh, Didn’t They Ramble: Rounder Records and the Transformation of American Roots Music
When three politically and socially active college students founded an “anti-profit” record company because no one else would record and release the American folk, bluegrass and old-time music they loved, they had no idea their brainchild would become a dominant force introducing millions to artists like Alison Krauss, Tony Rice, Hazel Dickens, J.D. Crowe, Norman Blake and many more bluegrass artists.
Oh, Didn’t They Ramble follows the up-and-down tale of Boston-area based Rounder Records and its founders, Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton and Bill Nowlin as they evolved from selling George Pegram and Spark Gap Wonder Boys records a handful at a time out of their van at festivals like Union Grove to a level of global success (and turmoil) they could never have imagined in the beginning.
Menconi, an insightful music journalist and historian, has uncovered fascinating details and insights into everything from the interpersonal relationships among the three founders to watershed moments like when Alison Krauss re-signed with Rounder when she could have signed with any major label and become the Taylor Swift of her era. The enormous impact of J.D. Crowe and the New South, better known as Rounder 0044, rightfully has its own chapter here. Alison’s groundbreaking collaboration with Led Zeppelin frontman Robert Plant gets an in-depth view, revealing a folkier side to rock megastar Plant few might have anticipated.
Outside the bluegrass realm, the Rounders took a chance and released a blues-rock album from George Thorogood that would sell an astronomical (to them) 40,000 copies. Menconi meticulously traces these successes, like the label’s support for Cajun and zydeco music, R&B, world music and much more.
Inevitably, he reports, as the business grew and started hiring employees, money management and business strategy became more complex, often straining ties between the founders. Again and again, the author digs up fascinating facts and anecdotes from Rounder’s past, like Krauss initially avoiding the smash hit collaboration with Plant, asking if she could call him back when Plant called to propose the project. It took her brother yelling, “You did WHAT?!” to bring her around, Menconi reveals.
Filled with period photos of the founders and the acts and festivals they supported, Oh, Didn’t They Ramble is essential reading for bluegrass fans hungry to learn the inside story on one of the most influential and impactful record labels ever in bluegrass music. Highly recommended.
