This month's new releases!

Wade Mainer & Associates - CD 454

24 tracks from 1936/37, early roots recordings by one of the all time great country-banjo stylists, and featuring a variety of line ups including many of the top musicians of their era. Selection of ... more info

Cozy Label-Vol. 3. BACM 455

Another unearthing of long lost gems recorded for the West Virginia Cozy label in the early '50s. Obscure artistes who never made the Big Time but some big talents - click on the CD title to hear a co... more info

Hawking Brothers - Country Sweet. CD 456

Aussie close harmony duo, whose influences are clear from the song list - mainly classic US country songs from the likes of Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter Family and Hank Williams.

Buy music

Look through our extensive catalogue of over 450 CDs, covering all genres of country music from the 1920s to the early '60s. We are sure you will find some gems to add to your collection.

Browse music »

Become an Archive Buddy

Subscribe and each month you will receive our three latest releases, at a special price. You will be supporting the work of the archive and building a unique and diverse collection of country music treasures.

View details »

Read our chat

Our founder Dave's monthly newsletter

July 2014. We were very lucky in having an old friend and his wi...

July 27, 2014

27 July. Birthday of Henry D. "Homer" Haynes, versatile guitar player and one half of celebrated comedy duo '"Homer & Jethro" . Two compilations... See more »

$Tex Morton 101$

July 23, 2014

23 July. Anniversary of Tex Morton, influential yodeller/ guitarist (born Robert William Lane in New Zealand; 30 August 1916 - 23 July 1983). Afte... See more »

July 20, 2014

July 20th. Birthday of the great Cindy Walker (July 20, 1918 – March 23, 2006), prolific country songwriter, as well as an accomplished singer w... See more »

July 17, 2014

July 17th. Birthday of Red Sovine (July 17, 1918 – April 4, 1980), country singer most famous for his truck driving songs and narrations including h... See more »

See all Country Anniversaries and News

Welcome to the Country Music Archive

A treasure trove for Country Music collectors!

The Country Music Archive (incorporating the British Archive of Country Music, BACM) is believed to be the largest facility in the world outside Nashville dedicated to the preservation of traditional country music.

The Archive began with the David Barnes collection, but over the years has been added to by contributions from country collectors from all over the world.

This library of over 540,000 recordings includes tracks on a wide range of media including 78rpm, 45rpm and 33rpm discs/transcriptions, video, audio cassette (normal and 8 track) and reel to reel. Over the past 11 plus years we have been digging into the vaults and releasing material, focusing on Country’s "Golden Era", from the 1920s to the early ‘60s. Our CDs are aimed at core collectors and many feature historic early recordings from before an artist became famous. As far as possible we try to avoid overlapping with "popular" tracks available from other labels so when you buy one of our CDs you are unlikely to receive mere duplicates of recordings already in your collection.

A big welcome to our website and please do take a look around – we hope you find something of interest.

Dave, on behalf of the Archive team

Look through our extensive catalogue of over 450 CDs, covering all genres of country music from the 1920s to the early '60s. We are sure you will find some gems to add to your collection.

Menu