Good Earth Records

New Orleans is no stranger to music. Its rich history in blues, jazz, soul, and cajun music is too much to capture in the space of a few paragraphs. The city has also overcome hurricanes, floods, and fires. With each setback, it emerges stronger. That is why it was no surprise to learn that the global pandemic didn’t stop the music. Nor did it stop Doug Page (aka DJ Doug Funnie) from honoring that music after discovering a long-forgotten record in a pawn shop. That old 45 had been produced by Houma Records. The company only pressed seventy-six records before being sold in 1966. After a fire destroyed the master tapes in the 1990s, it seemed the music of Houma Records was lost forever. That is, until Mr. Page made his discovery. For the next three years, he made it his mission to preserve its legacy, searching and collecting those lost records. They’ve been on display, and now Mr. Page is going through the painstaking process of digitizing them with the help of Nouveau Electric Records and its founder, musician Louis Michot. The label produces some wonderful records from local bands like Shakespeare & The Blues. Not so much different from the efforts of Houma Records decades before.

“All that remains of the short-lived label are the 45 RPM records that were cut in a small studio above a music shop.” Mr. Page says. “We hope to have the songs available digitally, on tape, and on a Double Gatefold LP Compilation by February 2022.”

As if this project wasn’t enough, while businesses were shutting down because of the pandemic, Mr. Page opened his own. In June 2020, Good Earth Records was born. The shop itself pays homage to the music pioneered by Houma Records. 

“It takes someone from a place to really understand how important the music was and how it shaped the people, architecture, and culture of that place.” Mr. Page says. “Louisiana has given the world some of the best music to ever be made, and it’s our duty to make sure people know about the local pioneers as well as those carrying on our many traditions.” It’s all about honoring your hometown.

Situated on the second floor of the Uptown Music Exchange, Good Earth Records is like stepping into a time capsule. You’ll find selections that include reggae, Latin, and local New Orleans music. It’s no secret that it’s the music of Louisiana that Mr. Page finds the most pleasure in. 

“I bought a collection of three generations of vinyl from the suburbs of New Orleans,” he explains. “I started to go through it and noticed the diversity of the records. It was mostly house music records from a fairly well-known local 90s-2000s DJ, but there were also many local New Orleans records from his mother when she was young and then some Easy Listening/Jazz albums from his grandmother as well.”

When asked about today’s generation of record buyers, Mr. Page offers this advice, “Pace yourself! There is so much good music out there. Find what you love most and start with that. For me, I started collecting old Louisiana 45s and that was quite the start as there is so much musical history in New Orleans and Acadiana.”

Collecting, selling, and producing records – Good Earth Records does it all. After you’ve visited the shop, you can step outside to admire your purchase while enjoying a taco from Taceaux Loeaux. 

Days don’t get much better than that.