John altenburgh founder of altenburgh records
Altenburgh started playing rock music as a teenage back in the late 70’s to early 80’s, most notably with the Wisconsin rock band, Bad Habit. During this time, he had an opportunity to sign with Geffen Records, a record label that had just signed John Lennon for his comeback. The music Altenburgh was recording was in the New Wave Rock sound that was just in it's infancy. After sending Geffen the initial demo, the A&R Director asked for more music. As Altenburgh stated, "I took the next six months writing new material. What I didn’t realize, at the time, is they wanted more music immediately, not in six months. When I contacted them with my new recordings, they said I was too late, that that type of music was already predominate in the pop/rock industry. So they didn’t sign me." Altenburgh, discouraged over missed opportunity, left the rock world completely. Altenburgh enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and studied music/recording technology. Altenburgh did a double senior recital, classical voice and classical guitar. After college, Altenburgh returned to his hometown of Mosinee and built RiverSide Productions Recording Studio. In the 1980's Altenburgh wrote production music for Ski Doo Snowmobiles, JI Case, US Cellular and many others. By the late 1980's, Altenburgh decided to record his first album entitled Old City. With that first release in 1989, Altenburgh Records was formed. Early distributors of Altenburgh Records included, City Hall Records, MS Distributing, Twinbrook and many others.
Altenburgh followed up Old City with Volume 2 in 1991 garnering much radio airplay and followed that up with the 1993 release of Generations and the 1995 release Heartland '95 which both landed in the CMJ and Gavin Jazz Charts. Altenburgh produced three videos under the direction of Chris Seehafer, that were frequently aired on such National shows as Bet's Bet on Jazz. Altenburgh began touring to support his albums performing at such venues as the Black Hill Blues & Jazz Festival, The Jazz in June Festival, The Elkhart Jazz Festival, The Miller Heritage Jazz Festival and numerous others thoughout the United States. Altenburgh continued to release jazz albums through the 1990's.
In 2004, Altenburgh loaned Sun Studios, Memphis TN some antique recording devices for their museum and in appreciation, John Schorr, President of Sun Studios, offered Altenburgh to come and do a roots type of recording at the famous studio. Altenburgh agreed and the result was Two Hits for The Kitty (The Sun Studio Sessions.) The album was in the World's blues chart at Roots Music Report for 18 weeks and the beginning of Altenburgh's blues group, Johnny & The MoTones was established. To date, the group has recorded four albums, all having spent significant time in the blues charts at Cashbox, Roots Music Report, iTunes, cdbaby and others. The group has also made many videos and documentaries.
Altenburgh continues to perform, record and license his music for film and television.
Altenburgh followed up Old City with Volume 2 in 1991 garnering much radio airplay and followed that up with the 1993 release of Generations and the 1995 release Heartland '95 which both landed in the CMJ and Gavin Jazz Charts. Altenburgh produced three videos under the direction of Chris Seehafer, that were frequently aired on such National shows as Bet's Bet on Jazz. Altenburgh began touring to support his albums performing at such venues as the Black Hill Blues & Jazz Festival, The Jazz in June Festival, The Elkhart Jazz Festival, The Miller Heritage Jazz Festival and numerous others thoughout the United States. Altenburgh continued to release jazz albums through the 1990's.
In 2004, Altenburgh loaned Sun Studios, Memphis TN some antique recording devices for their museum and in appreciation, John Schorr, President of Sun Studios, offered Altenburgh to come and do a roots type of recording at the famous studio. Altenburgh agreed and the result was Two Hits for The Kitty (The Sun Studio Sessions.) The album was in the World's blues chart at Roots Music Report for 18 weeks and the beginning of Altenburgh's blues group, Johnny & The MoTones was established. To date, the group has recorded four albums, all having spent significant time in the blues charts at Cashbox, Roots Music Report, iTunes, cdbaby and others. The group has also made many videos and documentaries.
Altenburgh continues to perform, record and license his music for film and television.
