Chris Strachwitz is a detective of deep American music, music that’s the antithesis of the corporate “mouse music” dominating pop culture. Since 1960, he has been the guiding force behind legendary Arhoolie Records, bringing Cajun music out of Louisiana, Tex-Mex out of Texas, blues out of the country – and into the living rooms of Middle America. American music has never been the same. Born a German count, Strachwitz fled his homeland after WWII at 16. Here, he discovered, and shared, a musical landscape that most Americans missed. He takes us on a hip-shaking stomp from Texas to New Orleans, Cajun country to Appalachia, as he continues his passionate quest for the musical soul of America.

**Extended 45 minute Q&A with Arhoolie Records founder and president, Chris Strachwitz moderated by Texas Monthly writer, Joe Nick Patoski at the Alamo Ritz Screening on Wednesday, March 13th at 6pm.

Director: Chris Simon, Maureen Gosling

Producer: Chris Simon, Maureen Gosling

Cinematographer: Chris Simon

Editor: Maureen Gosling

Additional Credits: Sound Recordist: David Silberberg

Principal Cast: Chris Strachwitz, Ry Cooder, Michael Doucet, Flaco Jiménez, Bonnie Raitt, Richard Thompson, Mance Lipscomb, Wilson Savoy, Taj Mahal

Chris Simon and Maureen Gosling have been friends and colleagues for over thirty years. They met while working with documentary filmmaker Les Blank, and collaborated with him on classic films such as "Gap-Toothed Women" and "Burden of Dreams". While Chris and Maureen each make their own independent films, this is their first together.

Public Film Contact
Chris Simon/Maureen Gosling
Sage Blossom Productions
downhomesisters@gmail.com
(435) 260-8646