Biografie

Although of German extraction, his maternal grandmother was an American, born in California (to where he moved), daughter of a Representative and Senator from Nevada son of Scottish parents, and maternal granddaughter of another Senator from Nevada.

He has made a career out of finding and publishing previously unrecorded or obscure blues and folk musicians.

Founder and President of Arhoolie Records, formed in 1960 (in El Cerrito, CA) as a way for him to record and publish previously obscure "down-home blues" artists such as Lightnin Hopkins, Snooks Eaglin and Bill Gaither and still publishes mainly blues and folk music. Other artists recorded for the Arhoolie label: Nathan Beauregard, Juke Boy Bonner, Clifton Chenier, Elizabeth Cotten, Jesse Fuller, Earl Hooker, John Jackson, Mance Lipscomb, 'Mississippi Fred McDowell', Alex Moore, Charlie Musselwhite, Doctor Ross, Bukka White, Big Joe Williams, Black Ace.

Emigrated to California in 1947.

In 2000 resided in 10341 San Pablo Ave., El Cerrito, CA 94530.