Archer Records

{{Short description|American independent record label}}

Archer Records is an independent record label with notoriety in the classical guitar and Americana genres. The label was founded in 2001 in downtown Memphis{{Cite web|url=http://www.mixonline.com/news/mixline/archer-records-opens-new-facility-memphis-tenn/420745|title=Archer Records Opens New Facility in Memphis, Tenn. {{!}} Mixonline|website=www.mixonline.com|access-date=2016-07-08}} by Ward Archer, who founded Cotton Row Recording Studios in 1978 and is a former trustee of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.{{cite web|url=http://ziogiorgio.com/2008/02/14/archer-records-adds-pmc-ib2s-a/ |title=Archer Records Adds PMC IB2S-A |publisher=ZioGiorgio.com |date=2008-02-14 |accessdate=2016-08-18}} It is housed at Music+Arts Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, formerly Sounds Unreel Studio. Located at 1902 Nelson Avenue, the building was converted to a recording studio in 1981 and was purchased by Archer Records owner Ward Archer in 2007.{{cite web |url=http://cooperyoung.org/lamplighter-files/pdf/2007_12_LampLighter.pdf |title=12_2007_Lamplighter.indd |date= |accessdate=2016-08-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819143343/http://cooperyoung.org/lamplighter-files/pdf/2007_12_LampLighter.pdf |archive-date=2016-08-19 |url-status=dead }} The layout of Music+Arts Studio was designed by George Augsperger and Nashville studio builder David Cherry.

Archer Records' roster of artists includes Amy LaVere, Lily Afshar, Joyce Cobb and more.{{cite web|url=http://archer-records.com/collections/store |title=Store – Music+Arts Studio |publisher=Archer-records.com |date=2016-06-23 |accessdate=2016-08-18}} The label's first release was "Possession" by Lily Afshar in 2002.{{Cite web|url=http://cvnc.org/articleprint.cfm?articleid=4472|title=CVNC - Possession: Lily Afshar, guitar|website=cvnc.org|access-date=2016-07-08}} Afshar has released a total of four albums on Archer Records. She is the first woman in the world to earn a doctorate in classical guitar performance.{{cite web|author=Joey LustermanMarch 22, 2016 |url=http://classicalguitarmagazine.com/lily-afshar-on-playing-and-teaching-classical-guitar-in-her-native-iran/ |title=Lily Afshar on Playing and Teaching Classical Guitar in Her Native Iran – Classical Guitar |publisher=Classicalguitarmagazine.com |date=2016-03-22 |accessdate=2016-08-18}} Her live performances have been reviewed by the likes of The Washington Post{{cite web|last=McCardell |first=Charles |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1989/09/19/lily-afshar/899f4db4-3a01-41f0-ba52-728244d13933/ |title=Lily Afshar |work=The Washington Post |date=1989-09-19 |accessdate=2016-08-18}} and following the release of her most recent Archer Records project, Bach on Fire, Afshar was invited to perform at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.{{cite web|url=http://nmwa.org/press-room/press-releases/national-museum-women-arts-presents-guitarist-lily-afshar |title=National Museum of Women in the Arts Presents Guitarist Lily Afshar | National Museum of Women in the Arts |publisher=Nmwa.org |date=2015-04-22 |accessdate=2016-08-18}}

Archer Records gained visibility in the Americana genre through its work with Amy LaVere. The label released LaVere's "This World is Not My Home" in 2005.{{Cite web|url=http://nodepression.com/album-review/amy-lavere-world-not-my-home|title=Amy Lavere - This World Is Not My Home|date=2006-02-28|access-date=2016-07-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929194405/http://nodepression.com/album-review/amy-lavere-world-not-my-home|archive-date=2018-09-29|url-status=dead}} PopMatters called it "one of the best albums of 2006."{{Cite web|url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/lavereamy-thisworld/|title=Amy LaVere: This World Is Not My Home|access-date=2016-07-08}}

In addition to its roster, Archer Records also administers a nonprofit label called Blue Barrel Records that launched in 2014.{{Cite web|url=https://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2015/jan/9/new-record-label-launches-in-memphis|title=New Record Label Launches in Memphis|access-date=2016-07-08|website=Memphis Daily News}} The label's roster includes Mighty Souls Brass Band and Caleb Sweazy.{{Cite web|url=http://choose901.com/blue-barrel-records-launches-in-memphis/|title=Blue Barrel Records Launches in Memphis|date=2015-01-03|language=en-US|access-date=2016-07-08}}