Jonas Bernholm Rhythm and Blues Collection
name: label: Creator
content: Bernholm, Jonas, 1946-
topic: label: Topic
content: Blues musicians
label: Topic
content: African American music -- 20th century
label: Topic
content: African American musicians
label: Topic
content: Popular music -- Writing and publishing
label: Topic
content: Rhythm and blues music
acqinfo: label: Provenance
content: Collection donated by Jonas Bernholm, 1996.
creator: label: Creator
content: Bernholm, Jonas, 1946-
setName: label: See more items in
content: Jonas Bernholm Rhythm and Blues Collection
abstract: label: Summary
content: Collection documents Jonas Bernholm's interest and work promoting African American Music, specifically rhythm and blues.
bioghist: label: Biographical/Historical note
content: Jonas Bernholm (1946-) is a music executive, and African-American music aficionado from Sweden.  He is best known for reissuing works of jazz, blues, and R&B artists on his own labels; the most well-recognized being Route 66, and Mr. R&B.  His passion was ignited by the energy and charisma seen in the likes of Elvis Presley and Little Richard.  He began collecting music from abroad and eventually visited the United States during the summer of 1968.  During his trip Bernholm realized that many recording artists from the 40s and 50s were out of work and their music was no longer in circulation.  Upon his return to Sweden he resolved to reissue the work of many artists on his own labels.  His labels included: Route 66, MR R&B, Jukebox Lil, Whiskey Women, Earth Angel , Dr. Horse, Crown Prince, Gospel Jubilee, and Blues Boy.
physdesc: label: Extent
content: 8 Cubic feet
unitdate: label: Date
content: 1976-1991.
custodhist: label: Custodial History
content: The Museum purchased a very large collection of recordings, posters, photographs and other reference materials from Bernholm in 1996. Correspondence and research files transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Music, Sports and Entertainment (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) in 2002.
dataSource: label: Archival Repository
content: Archives Center, National Museum of American History
identifier: label: Identifier
content: NMAH.AC.0551
objectType: label: Type
content: Collection descriptions
label: Type
content: Archival materials
label: Type
content: Articles
label: Type
content: Notes
label: Type
content: Correspondence
label: Type
content: Newsletters
label: Type
content: Press releases
arrangement: label: Arrangement
content: Series 1, Correspondence, 1972-1994, undated  

Series 2, Promotional/Publicity Materials, 1965-1991, undated

Series 3, Research Materials, undated


Series 4, Production Materials, undated
processinfo: label: Processing Information
content: Processed by Rob Harding May, 1996; revised by Adrienne Cain, intern, 2006; supervised by Alison Oswald, archivist.
genre_format: label: Genre/Form
content: Articles -- 1950-2000
label: Genre/Form
content: Notes
label: Genre/Form
content: Correspondence -- 1970-2000
label: Genre/Form
content: Newsletters -- 20th century
label: Genre/Form
content: Press releases
scopecontent: label: Scope and Contents note
content: Series 1: Correspondence, 1972-1994, undated 

This series is divided into four subseries:  Subseries 1.1 (Artists), Subseries 1.2 (Collaborators), Subseries 1.3 (Douglas Seroff), and Subseries 1.4 (Record Companies).  Subseries 1.1 (1972-1993) consists mostly of correspondence exchanged between Bernholm and recording artists, as well as letters about the artists from their agents, family members, etc.  Other types of materials included in this subseries are:  copies of newspaper clippings, death certificates, contracts, and receipts.  This subseries is, mostly, in alphabetical order by the artist's last name. Subseries 1.2 (1978-1985) is largely a collection of letters between Bernholm and those helping him create his albums.  Topics include: photos, financial transactions and technical information about creating an album. Bills and receipts are also found in the subseries. Two folders deal specifically with correspondence Bernholm exchanged between Felix Prochaska and Lou Doggett. Subseries 1.3 (1979-1986) documents the correspondence between Bernholm and independent music scholar, music producer and businessman Douglas Seroff.  It includes an exchange of letters regarding the start of a new record label for gospel music and the creation and reissue of gospel LPs.  It also includes auction results, bills, postage labels, and information on a 1985 Grammy nomination.  Subseries 1.4 (1977-1990) consists of correspondence between Bernholm and such recording companies as Clanka Lanka, Rounder Records, Big J Records, Blues King Records, Bogus Records, J.D. Productions, Fleetville Records, La Val Records and Relic Records.  Also included are contracts/agreements, statements, artist promotion, as well as information on taping sessions and royalties.                                                     

Series 2: Promotional/Publicity Materials, 1971-1991, undated

This series is divided into two subseries:  Subseries A (Promotion and Collaborator Correspondence) and Subseries 2.2 (Fan Club Materials).   Subseries 2.1 (1976-1991) consists mostly of correspondence about artist or album promotion; including published articles, photographs, and information about concerts, tours, and radio stations throughout the US and Europe.  Subseries B contains artist biographies, newsletters, promotional material, and information regarding contemporary artist-related events from record companies, talent agencies and official fan clubs. 

Series 3: Research Materials, undated

This series is divided into four subseries:  Subseries 3.1 (Artists), Subseries 3.2 (Record Company), Subseries 3.3 (Ray Funk), and Subseries 3.4 (Record Labels).  Subseries A is composed of album liner notes for individual artists, as well as photocopies of magazine/newspaper articles that detail biography and album information for several artists.  Other information includes correspondence about artists, and album song listings.  Subseries 3.2 is an alphabetical listing, by record company name, of their discographies.  Subseries C includes music related articles and correspondence from and by Alaskan writer, music aficionado and radio host Ray Funk.  Copies of artist photos from Norbert Hess are also available.  Subseries 3.4 contains listings of songs from specific artists and the labels they can be found on. 

Series 4: Production Materials, undated 

This series is composed of production notes used in the assembly of albums. This includes artist biographies and discographies, as well as song listings for specific albums.   This subseries is organized alphabetically by artist.
relatedmaterial: label: Related Materials
content: The Division of Music, Sports and Entertainment(now Division of Cultural and Community Life) holds artifacts related to this collection including: posters and sound recordings.  See Accession #1996.0153.