About Down Home

Down Home Music was established in 1976 by Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz as a (brick & mortar) retail outlet for Roots music releases from various labels throughout the world. Since Mr. Chris’s death in 2023, we have re-incorporated as a non-profit foundation with a museum/gallery space featuring live instore music, book, film and community outreach events along with our record store. Our newly expanded focus in maintaining Mr. Chris’s legacy, is now supported by a combination of tax-deductible donations, retail sales and online mail order sales. Any donations should be made to Down Home Music Foundation.

Located in El Cerrito, California, we continue to open our doors to customers 5 days a week: Wednesday through Sunday, from 1 to 6 PM PST. We’ve expanded our online inventory to include a broad range of Blues, Rock, Country, Folk, Jazz, Cajun/Zydeco, Mexican, Indie, and more…If you don’t find what you are looking for on this site, please give us a call and ask!

Down Home News & Events

Saturday October 10 at 2 PM Free! in-store show. DYMAXION.

DYMAXION is Bruce Ackley’s dream trio, with bassist Pete Schmitt and percussionist Dave Brandt. The trio focuses primarily on Ackley’s compositions for improvisation, but sets often include works by Monk, Steve Lacy and others.The band has been playing in the garage for the better part of the last 10 years but is emerging more regularly to play around the Bay…

Upcoming Scheduled Live Free In-Store Performances at DOWN HOME MUSIC FOUNDATION. In conjunction with Source Light

Thursday October 8 Arhoolie Foundation Presents: a Les Blank film “A Peom Is a Naked Person.” Show starts at 7pm Saturday October 10 DIMAXIUM-New Jazz Saturday October 17 Farm to Turntable-TBA Sunday October 18 Author:Richie Unterberger presents an audio/visual lecture on the unreleased BEATLES Saturday October 24 Maurice Tani-Americana Sunday October 25 Down Home Music Record Swap 8 am to…

Check These Out!

Order here via PAYPAL or call us to place a credit card phone order during our regular hours (PST).

510.525.2129
*Please note: a Paypal account is not required.

Questions about our Products, Store, or your Shopping Cart? 

Contact Us before you order!

  • We ship domestic orders USPS Media Mail, except for t-shirts and hats, which go First Class.
  • We ship all overseas orders first-class package international.
  • Currently, we are not shipping to Mexico.
  • For international orders over 4 pounds, please email us at  mail@downhomemusic.com
  • If you want something shipped a different way, send an email or call us during store hours at (510-525-2129) to make arrangements.
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