Courthouse Records

Courthouse Records [1], Richmond, VA, is a genre-nonspecific, independent micro-label founded in 1987 by W. B. “Wally” Thulin to release On Time, an LP by a regional bluegrass band, Virginia Rail. The band dissolved early in 1990, and the label lay dormant until 2000 when, the name and logo was resurrected to release a live CD of a concert produced by Daniel Clarke, an extraordinarily talented, 20 year old Virginia Commonwealth University music education major. “Danny C’s Musical Review” was presented at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen [2], recorded by Bill McElroy of Slipped Disc [3] and released 12/7/2000 as the first Courthouse CD. Courthouse has since released nine additional CDs, including three by the acid/jazz/funk ensemble Modern Groove Syndicate [4] (two of which are licensed for release in Japan by P-Vine Records P-Vine Records) and two by vocalist, Jackie Frost [5]. Newgrass band, Old School Freight Train [6], released their first self titled CD on Courthouse before signing with Acoustic Disc [7], David Grisman’s label, to release their second CD, Run (ACD 61). Modern Groove Syndicate’s second CD, Vessel, won the 2005 Independent Music Award for best jazz track [8], “Too Good That’s It’s Gone,” and reached No. 5 on satellite radio’s XM72 Beyond Jazz’s [9] “Top Twenty.” In October 2007 Modern Groove Syndicate was given Richmond magazine’s [10] Theresa Pollack prize for excellence in the arts by an ensemble. Jackie Frost’s CD, Calliope, was a 2006 double Independent Music Awards Americana [11] finalist (album and song, Away We Go). Daniel Clarke, keyboardist for Modern Groove Syndicate recorded and toured with Mandy Moore’s [12] band in 2007 and worldwide with k d lang’s [13] band in 2008. Additional Courthouse artists include The Former Champions [14], Nealiette featuring Terri Simpson, Butterbean Jazz Quartet [15] and Among Friends. www.CourthouseCDs.com [16]