Sundown Recorders

Sundown Recorders was a recording studio located in Edmonton, Canada, owned by Canadian recording artist and producer Wes Dakus, that existed from 1972 to 1987. A number of notable Canadian and American artists recorded at the studio, including Hoyt Axton, One Horse Blue, Bobby Curtola, Gary Fjellgaard and Fosterchild.

History

Previously known as Park Lane Studios,[1] Sundown Recorders was opened in 1972 by Wes Dakus, an Edmonton-based musician who had achieved national success in the 1960s as Wes Dakus & The Rebels, one of Canada's preeminent instrumental groups.[2] The studio existed until 1987. In 1992, many of its audio tapes were donated to the Provincial Archives of Alberta by musician Jan Randall.[1] Included in the donated material were recordings from the 1970s and 1980s by Hoyt Axton, Bobby Curtola, Gaye Delorme, Gary Fjellgaard, Fosterchild, Hammersmith, Sherry Kennedy, Randy Lloyd, Mavis McCauley, The Models and One Horse Blue, dating from the 1980s.[1] Many of the artists recording at Sundown Recorders were also signed to Vera Cruz Records, which was also owned by Wes Dakus. The studio was integral to the lives of many musicians, and included a sleeping area for musicians who had nowhere else to go.[3]

The studio existed from 1972 to 1987, after which many of its audio tapes were donated to the Provincial Archives of Alberta.[1] The tapes were discovered as abandoned by Edmonton-based musician Jan Randall, who then donated them to the Provincial Archives of Alberta.[4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Archives Canada, Sundown Recorders. Retrieved 2012-09-12.
  2. ↑ Jaime Vernon, with notes from Shawn Nagy, Gord Baker, Eric Brandt and Norm Bright, Profile of Wes Dakus; Canadian Pop Encyclopedia. Retrieved 2012-09-11.
  3. ↑ Gerry Wand, Montreal to Edmonton Sundown: China Doll and Corona. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  4. ↑ Comments of Jan Randall, Sundown Recorders: History Saved, September 20, 2012. Retrieved 2014-11-29.