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Right on Rhythm Records

Since 1996, Right on Rhythm Records has been a home for Washington, D.C.’s zydeco and blues-loving communities. Its release history includes Roy Carrier, Nap Turner, Mark Wenner, Robert Lighthouse, and more. Label founder Wayne Kahn wished to not only uplift these artists and their work, but to reflect his belief in the importance of Washington, D.C., as a bastion of music. Beginning as most do, as a fan, in the summer of 1994 Wayne decided to use the $1,500 sum of his lottery winnings to record local musicians and their live performances and give them work tape. By the end of the following year, Wayne had amassed hours upon hours of live performances and largely DIY studio tapings.

Dedicated to the continuation of this work, Wayne started Right on Rhythm to give these recordings and their creators a way of reaching a larger audience. With the release of The Blues You Would Just Hate to Lose, Vol 1 in April of 1996, the label’s official debut was praised for its portrait of DC’s blues scene, and for featuring the very first released recordings of artists such as Nap Turner (the “Godfather of the D.C. blues scene”), Robert Lighthouse, and Big Jesse Yawn. From 1996 to 2012, the label worked with area blues and roots musicians as well as Roy Carrier, who, in 2011, was one of the first three musicians inducted into the Zydeco Hall of Fame in Lafayette, LA. Today, Right on Rhythm’s diverse collection of releases continues to reflect its celebration of D.C.’s rich music scene, and the many artists whose work has created its history.

Smithsonian Folkways acquired Right on Rhythm in 2020, keeping the spirit of the label alive for all who want it for years to come.

Discography

The Blues You Would Just Hate to Lose, Vol. 1
The Blues You Would Just Hate to Lose, Vol. 1
Various Artists
ROR00001 (1996)
Nasty Girls
Nasty Girls
Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers
ROR00002 (1996)
Drive-Thru Love
Drive-Thru Love
Robert Lighthouse
ROR00003 (1997)
Twist & Shout
Twist & Shout
Roy Carrier
ROR00004 (1998)
Offshore Blues & Zydeco
Offshore Blues & Zydeco
Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers
ROR00008 (1998)
Whiskey-Drinkin' Man
Whiskey-Drinkin' Man
Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers
ROR00009 (1998)
Live at City Blues
Live at City Blues
Nap Turner
ROR00005 (1999)
The Blues You Would Just Hate to Lose, Vol. 2
The Blues You Would Just Hate to Lose, Vol. 2
Various Artists
ROR00006 (1999)
Runs Good, Needs Paint
Runs Good, Needs Paint
Mark Wenner
ROR00007 (2000)
¡Live At Cada Vez!
¡Live At Cada Vez!
Nap Turner with the Gary Jenkins Quartet
ROR00010 (2002)
Mama Tried
Mama Tried
Mark Wenner and the BelAirs
ROR00011 (2002)
Living Legend
Living Legend
Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers
ROR00014 (2004)
Hughes Views on the Blues
Hughes Views on the Blues
Nap Turner
ROR00012 (2005)
Deep Down in the Mud
Deep Down in the Mud
Robert Lighthouse
ROR00013 (2007)
It's a DC Thing (Choose Your Shoes)
It's a DC Thing (Choose Your Shoes)
Roy Carrier and the Night Rockers
ROR00015 (2010)