Oral History Interview with Tom Goldfogle

Musical artist manager Tom Goldfogle is interviewed by Samir Meghelli as part of the research for the Anacostia Community Museum's A Right to the City exhibition. Goldfogle discusses his early interest in music and career in the industry, including his involvement with Go-Go music and Chuck Brown, and some general musings on the music industry. Starting with an early interest in funk music, Goldfogle would frequently buy records based on their cover and worked at the Shady Grove Music Fair. Later, he worked at Record World in Landover, Maryland where he met future business partner Becky Marcus. The pair would buy copies of Go-Go records to stock in the store. Goldfogle's first foray into the music industry was as a promoter booking concerts at the Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor, Michigan while he was in college. Later, with Marcus, he started Liaison Records, which release one record before becoming primarily a distribution company. Goldfogle discusses the history and business model of Liaison Records, acts and labels with whom they worked, and their involvement with Go-Go music. Goldfogle discusses the rise and decline in popularity of Go-Go music as well as its future, including the phenomenon of P.A. Tapes which were recorded directly from the soundboard at concerts since labels largely would not release Go-Go records. He talks about his time working with Chuck Brown, helping him to renegotiate his publishing deal and releasing his records. Throughout the interview, Goldfogle muses on the music industry in general, including various business models, publishing and copyrights, what makes a successful record, and the impact of streaming. He also talks about founding the annual Music Business Forum. Notable groups and individuals mentioned in the interview include Chuck Brown, Rio Edwards and Future Records, the Backyard Band, the Junkyard Band, Sam "The Man" Burns, Arthur "Maniac" McCloud, DJ Kool, Tommy Davidson, the Basement Boys, and Lamont Prince. Audio of from the interview is moderately difficult to distinguish from background music, restaurant noise, and converstation.