article

Stony Plain Records

Stony Plain Records. Independent record label, established (1976) in Edmonton by Holger Petersen and Alvin Jahns. Under Petersen's direction, Stony Plain Records has been dedicated to 'roots music' including country, folk, blues, bluegrass and zydeco and has released more than 330 albums.

Stony Plain Records

Stony Plain Records. Independent record label, established (1976) in Edmonton by Holger Petersen and Alvin Jahns. Under Petersen's direction, Stony Plain Records has been dedicated to 'roots music' including country, folk, blues, bluegrass and zydeco and has released more than 330 albums.

Canadian, or Canadian-based, artists who have recorded with Stony Plain include Bim (Roy Forbes), Jim Byrnes, Dixie Flyers, Downchild, Amos Garrett, Ferron, Mark Haines & The Zippers, Paul Hann, Paul James, Jeff Healey, Mendelson Joe, King Biscuit Boy, Long John Baldry, Mark Korven, Colin Linden, Corb Lund, Ellen McIlwaine, Big Miller, Prairie Oyster, Shuffle Demons, Spirit of the West, Ian Tyson, Sylvia Tyson, Diamond Joe White, and David Wilcox. Ian Tyson's Cowboyography was the label's first platinum album in Canada.

Stony Plain recordings were distributed in Canada by London Records until 1980, by RCA 1980-8 and by WEA (Warner Music Canada) after 1989.

The label was nominated for Grammy awards for Maria Muldaur's Richland Woman Blues (2001) and Jay McShann's Goin' to Kansas City in (2003). Numerous Juno Awards, Canadian Country Music Association awards, Maple Blues awards and W.C. Handy Blues awards have been won by the artists represented by Stony Plain Records. In 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2007, Stony Plain Records was named independent record label/distributor of the year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.

Further Reading

  • Flohil, Richard. Record jacket notes for The Stony Plain 10th Anniversary Sampler Stony Plain 2-SLP 10945

    Jennings, Nicholas 'The eclectic music man,' Maclean's, 28 Apr 1986

    Barnard, David. 'The natch'l blues according to Holger Petersen,' Toronto Blues Society Newsletter, vol 3, Sep 1987

    LaPointe, Kirk. 'Stony Plain label wins critical acclaim,' Billboard, 6 Feb 1988

    Lacey, Liam. 'Happily singing the blues,' Toronto Globe and Mail, 20 Apr 1991

    Stony Plain News. Quarterly 1989-2000

    Veitch, David. "Reaping fruit on a stony plain," Words & Music, June 1996

    Campbell, Roddy. "Solid ground: Stony Plain Records celebrates its 25th anniversary," Penguin Eggs, Summer 2000

Help students and educators this school year!

The Canadian Encyclopedia is a project of Historica Canada, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization devoted to teaching Canadians more about our shared country. Last school year, over 13 million people used The Canadian Encyclopedia as a trusted resource. Nearly 5 million of those users were students and teachers. Please donate today to help even more Canadians access free, impartial, fact-checked, regularly updated information about Canada’s history and culture in both official languages. All donations above $3 will receive a tax receipt.

Donate