Vinyl Ventures: My Fifty Years at Rounder Records surveys the history of Rounder Records through the lens of one of its three founders, Bill Nowlin, with special attention given to its formative years. Nowlin prefaces his account by acknowledging the limitations of one individual's perspective, making it clear to readers that it should not be taken as a definitive history. Following a loosely chronological format, Nowlin balances a remarkable amount of historical detail with personal anecdotes, allowing for a colorful, engaging read that avoids getting bogged down in minutiae. With supporting quotes from the other founders—or “Rounders”—the reader gains an appreciation for the strengths and shortcomings of Rounder's inner circle, as well as the sense of mission that saw the company through the ups and downs of nearly half a century in the record business.
Nowlin begins with a brief overview of the folk and popular music landscape during the...
