Forty Below Records

Forty Below Records
Founded2013 (2013)
FounderEric Corne
DistributorAMPED
GenreBlues, Americana, alt-country, soul
Country of originUnited States
LocationLos Angeles
Official websitefortybelowrecords.com

Forty Below Records in an independent record label based in Los Angeles that promotes new blues, country, and soul music artists, along with issuing albums by established musicians from a variety of backgrounds. The label was founded by songwriter and producer Eric Corne, and began releasing albums in 2013. Among the artists featured by the label are country singer Dale Watson, blues veteran Charlie Musselwhite, and blues-soul singer-songwriter Sugaray Rayford. Late English blues pioneer and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee John Mayall recorded his last five studio albums with Forty Below.

History

Forty Below’s first release was Kail Baxley’s Heatstroke/The Wind and the War (2013). The album was nominated for NPR Album of the Year.

In 2014, Forty Below signed Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member John Mayall.

In 2017 Forty Below released Jaime Wyatt’s debut album Felony Blues.

Sugaray Rayford's Somebody Save Me album, was nominated for the 2020 Contemporary Blues Album Grammy, while also earning Rayford Blues Music Awards for Soul Blues Male Artist and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year.

In 2022 Forty Below signed Grammy winner and Blues Hall of famer Joe Louis Walker. Rayford won the 2023 Blues Music Award for Soul Blues Album of the Year for In Too Deep.

In 2024 Forty Below released Danielle Nicole’s The Love You Bleed and Jake Shimabukuro & Mick Fleetwood’s Blues Experience.

In 2025 Charlie Musselwhite’s Look Out Highway was nominated for the Best Traditional Blues Grammy.

Roster

References

  1. ↑ "Alliance Entertainment's AMPED Distribution Brings Home 26 Grammy Nominations Across Its Family of Independent Labels". businesswire. Berkshire Hathaway. January 27, 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  2. ↑ "Forty Below Records Vinyl & Exclusive Releases". Rough Trade. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  3. ↑ "Forty Below Records - music business news in 2025". New Industry Focus. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  4. ↑ "Eric Corne". Musicians Institute. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Drew, Caroline (January 15, 2026). "Red River History Celebrated in New Zine". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Wilcock, Don (June 13, 2025). "Charlie Musselwhite at 81: 'Look Out Highway' and the Road Still Ahead". American Blues Scene. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  7. ↑ "Sugaray Rayford". Big Blues Bender. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  8. ↑ Mayall, John. "Discography". johnmayall.com. Retrieved 5 July 2026.
  9. ↑ Dye, David (January 15, 2026). "Kail Baxley: Music From An Amateur Boxer Who Danced For James Brown". NPR. Retrieved 2 April 2013.