Smithsonian Folkways Recordings recently received a generous bequest of nearly $600,000 from late audio engineer and longtime supporter Mike Rivers. With the donation, the label has established the Mike Rivers Endowment, its first-ever endowment, building a strong foundation for its continual work supporting and preserving “people’s music.”
Mike Rivers was a Washington, D.C.-area audio engineer who recorded numerous folk festivals, including the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and the National Folk Festival. Known for his remote recording truck, Gypsy Studio, Rivers specialized in recording acoustic music and captured performances from iconic Folkways artists such as Hazel Dickens, Joe Glazer, and John Jackson. His recordings were often used in radio programs and on small label releases.
Rivers also gladly shared his expertise in a blog, helpfully titled Useful Audio Stuff, where he posted technical articles and product reviews. In one notable post, he describes in detail the unconventional studio technique of using a potato as a filter. He also played guitar, banjo, and mandolin and was a founding member of the Folklore Society of Greater Washington, established in 1964 to produce and support local events. Rivers passed away in November 2021 at age seventy-eight.
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The Mike Rivers Endowment is a model of sustainable support which will allow Smithsonian Folkways to draw on Rivers’ generosity in perpetuity.
“We’re so honored to receive this gift from Mike Rivers,” says Maureen Loughran, Smithsonian Folkways director and curator. “His generosity will allow future generations to hear the wonderful treasury of music on Folkways and build their own appreciation of the music he loved so much. Mike set the standard with his forward-thinking gift, and I hope others will also be inspired to make Smithsonian Folkways a part of their future planning.”
Many donors find that establishing an endowment is one of the most impactful ways to create a lasting legacy and provide meaningful support. Smithsonian Folkways is seeking additional endowment funding to support acquisitions, education, and outreach, and to secure the leadership of the label.
There are many ways to support Smithsonian Folkways, such as becoming a Friend of Folkways or making a one-time donation. Find more information on giving to Smithsonian Folkways.
If you have already included Smithsonian Folkways in your estate plans, please contact Liska Radachi, Associate Director of Advancement, at RadachiL@si.edu to receive your Smithsonian Legacy Society pin and benefits.
