In Loving Memory of Our Founder

David Earl, founder of Severn Records, passed away on the 9^th of September, 2025. 

After graduating from Salisbury University, David toured throughout North America as a professional guitarist both as a sideman and as a solo artist. He founded Severn Records in 1998 as a label dedicated to American Roots music. He produced recordings of Blues, Soul, Gospel, Jazz, and Zydeco music.

Early Severn releases included artists such as Darryl Nulisch, Louisiana Red, Lou Pride, Roy Gaines and Steve Guyger. These were captured in commercial recording studios. Eventually, David built his own studios in order to move his productions in house. There, he recorded releases for Tad Robinson, Sugar Ray Norcia, Benjie Porecki, Roy Carrier, Clarence Spady, Big Joe & the Dynaflows and many others. 

In 2010, David built the latest iteration of Severn Sound Studios, a full-service recording studio and mastering facility. There he produced releases for The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Nighthawks, Mud Morganfield, Devin Thompson, Bryan Lee, and others for his label. He also produced and engineered for artists on other labels such as Norway’s JT Lauritsen & the Buckshot Hunters and Roomful of Blues.

Severn Records also released recordings produced elsewhere. These include artists such as Tower of Power’s Bruce Conte, The Chicago Blues Harmonica Project, Roy Tyler & the New Directions, Mike Morgan & the Crawl, Jimmy Earl, and Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson of Canned Heat.

Many of Severn Records productions used the services of Severn’s unofficial house band, which frequently consisted of Rob Stupka on drums, Steve Gomes on bass, Benjie Porecki and Kevin Anker on keyboards, and Johnny Moeller on guitar. Horns were frequently provided by members of the U.S. Air Force’s Airmen of Note with arrangements by Willie Henderson. This group also traveled the world as the Severn Soul Review, backing Severn artists at events such as the Lucerne Blues Festival (Switzerland), Cognac Blues Passions (France), King Biscuit Blues Festival (Arkansas), Piazza Blues Festival (Switzerland), and Beaches International Jazz Festival (Canada).

Throughout this time, Severn Records and its artists charted in Billboard and won many awards including W.C. Handy Awards, Blues Music Awards, and - to David Earl specifically - the 2012 “Keeping the Blues Alive” award from the Blues Foundation.

David Earl made many significant marks in American music and helped shape the careers of many musicians. His legacy is deep and his contributions will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife Bridget and their children Logan, Jake, and Elizabeth.