Bear Family Records is a Germany-based independent record label that specializes in reissues of archival material, specialising primarily in country music, but varying in everything from 1950s rock and roll to vintage German movie soundtracks.
History
The label has been in existence since 1975, founded by collector Richard Weize,[1] starting with the double LP Going Back to Dixie by Bill Clifton. It has become known for its extravagant (and expensive) box sets. The company describes itself as "a collector's record label" due to its primary business, which is reissuing rare recordings in CD format in small amounts.
Artists
Among the many artists who have been the subject of extensive box set releases by Bear Family are Bob Wills, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, David Allan Coe, Hank Snow, Jim Reeves, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Bill Haley & His Comets, the Kingston Trio, Louis Jordan, The Everly Brothers, Chet Atkins, Ann-Margret, Pat Boone