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Aristocrat Records

45 Worlds

Muddy Bottom Blues

Program #69 (July 8 at 8:00PM)

Aristocrat Records, sometimes billed as The Aristocrat of Records, was founded in April 1947 by Charles and Evelyn Aron, together with their partners Fred and Mildred Brount and Art Spiegel. Leonard Chess also invested in the young record company.

Over time, Leonard bought the others out, and by 1948, only he and Evelyn Aron ran the firm. By early 1950 Leonard and his brother Phil had become the sole owners, and in June of that year, they changed the company's name from Aristocrat to Chess Records. The Aristocrat brand was officially discontinued in January 1951.

Between the years 1947 and 1950, Aristocrat released 183 songs, and recorded 18 more that were released under the new Chess label.

Muddy Waters made his first recordings for Aristocrat, which produced the single "Gypsy Woman" b/w "Little Anna Mae." Backing Waters were bassist Big Crawford and pianist Sunnyland Slim. After a second session in December 1947, Aristocrat released "I Can't Be Satisfied" b/w "Feel Like Goin' Home," which became a minor hit.

Artists featured on this program include Robert Nighthawk, Leroy Foster, Sunnyland Slim, Muddy Waters and others.

(story by Allmsuic and Wikipedia)

Paul Hitchcock earned his Masters in Communications from Morehead State University and Bachelors in Radio-TV/Psychology from Georgetown College. A veteran broadcaster for more than 40 years and an avid fan of blues, jazz and American roots music. Hitchcock has been with WMKY since 1986 and was named General Manager in 2003. He currently hosts "Muddy Bottom Blues" (Fri., 8pm-9pm), "Nothin' But The Blues" (Sat., 8pm-12am), "Sunday Night Jazz Showcase" and "Live From The Jazz Lounge" (Sun., 8pm-9pm) and "The Golden Age of Radio" (Sun., 2pm-3pm). He also serves as producer for "A Time For Tales" and "The Reader's Notebook."