Blue Corn Music is an independent American record label specializing in blues, Americana, bluegrass, and roots music. Founded in 2001 by Denby Auble (who remains its president and owner), the Houston- and Austin-based label has built a reputation for high-quality recordings that bridge traditional blues with contemporary soul, gospel, and singer-songwriter styles. It has provided a consistent home for Texas-rooted and national talent, emphasizing strong songwriting, powerful vocals, and authentic performances.
History and Ownership
Denby Auble launched Blue Corn Music in 2001 with a focus on roots-oriented artists who might otherwise struggle for major-label attention. The label quickly established itself in the Austin music scene, a hub for blues and Americana. Its 10th anniversary celebration in 2011 at the legendary Antone’s nightclub in Austin featured performances by key roster artists including Ruthie Foster, Hadden Sayers, and the Austin Lounge Lizards, underscoring its deep ties to the Texas music community.
Unlike larger blues imprints with long corporate histories, Blue Corn has remained independently operated under Auble’s leadership. It has steadily released albums across blues, folk, bluegrass, and related genres while maintaining a selective roster. The label continues to operate from its Texas base, supporting both established names and emerging voices with careful production and distribution.
Focus on Blues and Notable Artists & Recordings
While Blue Corn’s catalog spans Americana and roots styles, blues (often blended with soul and gospel) forms a core strength, particularly through its long association with powerhouse vocalists and harmonica-driven artists.
Ruthie Foster stands as the label’s flagship blues artist and one of its most successful signings. A three-time Grammy nominee known for her commanding voice that draws from blues, gospel, soul, and folk, Foster began her Blue Corn tenure with Runaway Soul (2002). Subsequent releases include the live-leaning Stages (2004), The Phenomenal Ruthie Foster (2007), the Grammy-nominated The Truth According to Ruthie Foster (2009, recorded at Ardent Studios in Memphis), Live at Antone’s (2011, CD/DVD), the Grammy-nominated Let It Burn (2012, featuring guests such as the Blind Boys of Alabama and William Bell), Promise of a Brand New Day (2014, produced by Meshell Ndegeocello and also Grammy-nominated), Joy Comes Back (2017), Live at the Paramount (2020), and Healing Time (2022). These albums showcase Foster’s range—from intimate acoustic blues and gospel-infused material to fuller band arrangements—while highlighting her songwriting growth and emotional depth.
Buy from Amazon Ruthie Foster Live at Antones
Buy from Amazon Let It Burn - Ruthie Foster
John Németh, the acclaimed harmonica player, singer, and songwriter, released the soul-blues album Memphis Grease (2014) on Blue Corn. Recorded in Memphis with producer Scott Bomar and the Bo-Keys (veterans connected to classic soul sessions), the album blends scorching harmonica-driven blues with blue-eyed soul influences. It debuted high on the Billboard Blues chart, earned Németh the 2014 Blues Music Award for Soul Blues Male Artist, and won Best Soul Blues Album in 2015. The project captures Németh’s innovative yet tradition-rooted approach after earlier work on Blind Pig.
Hadden Sayers, the Texas blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter, found a strong platform with Blue Corn. His album Hard Dollar (2011) features the track “Back to the Blues” (with guest vocals by Ruthie Foster), which earned a Blues Music Award nomination for Song of the Year. The follow-up Rolling Soul (2013) continued his mature, heartfelt songwriting paired with inventive guitar work, blending Texas blues, southern rock, and Americana influences. Sayers has also performed as a guitarist in Foster’s band.
Other notable blues and blues-adjacent artists and examples on the label include:
- Guy Forsyth — Texas blues and roots releases that highlight his versatile guitar and songwriting.
- AJ Ghent — Soul-blues material reflecting modern electric blues energy.
- David Lee Holt and Jeff Plankenhorn — Guitar-driven blues and Americana contributions.
- Supporting or related roster members such as Gurf Morlix (producer and artist with deep roots connections) and others who appear in collaborative or live contexts that reinforce the label’s blues-friendly environment.
The label has also issued work by artists like the Austin Lounge Lizards (satirical roots/country), Sarah Borges, Caroline Herring, Steve Forbert, and bluegrass acts such as Wood and Wire, broadening its roots appeal while keeping blues central through Foster, Németh, Sayers, and similar voices.
Broader Scope and Legacy
Blue Corn Music balances pure blues with Americana, bluegrass, and singer-songwriter material, creating a catalog that feels cohesive yet diverse. Its emphasis on strong live performance (evident in Foster’s concert releases) and thoughtful production has earned critical respect and multiple Blues Music Award and Grammy nominations for its artists.
As a smaller independent label, Blue Corn’s lasting impact lies in its sustained support for distinctive blues and roots talent—particularly Ruthie Foster’s multi-album career arc—and its role in documenting Texas and national artists who blend tradition with contemporary expression. From its 2001 founding through ongoing releases, it continues to offer a reliable home for authentic, high-caliber blues and related music.
For more information go to https://bluecornmusic.com/
