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

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…

Up Coming FREE in-store performances at Down Home Music Store

S Saturday September 19 New Earth Farmers-Eclectic Roots MusicSaturday September 26 El Cerrito Folk Festival Preview-various artistsSaturday October 10 DIMAXIUM-New JazzSaturday October 17 Farm to Turntable-TBASunday October 18 Author:Richie Unterberger presents an audio/visuallecture on the unreleased BEATLESSaturday October 24 Maurice Tani-AmericanaSunday November 1 Joseph Dee Bradshaw-Guitar WizardSaturday November 7 Matthew Edwards-Eclectic Folk ChansonsSaturday November 14 Farm to Turntable-TBASunday November 23…

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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