Brandt's Recording Studio collection, ca. 1936-1984

Summary

Title:

Brandt's Recording Studio collection

Dates:

ca. 1936-1984

Extent:

12.81 Linear Feet (19 boxes)

Language:

English

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item and/or item number], [box and folder number], Brandt's Recording Studio collection, MS0182, Center for Sacramento History.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection is made up almost entirely of recordings made by Brandt studios on phonographic record, with a smaller number of recordings on 1/4" reel-to-reel magnetic tape and audiocassettes, along with some paper documents. Many of the recordings were released on the Brandt or Camelia record labels, while others were never released, were released on other labels, or were created for radio use as transcription discs. There are a small number of recordings not released or recorded by Brandt in the collection that are either related to the Sacramento area or are rare recordings.

The content of the recordings includes musicians in the studio; live performances and events; radio commercials, interviews and segments for radio programs, and sound effects; public service announcements; transcription discs of world and local news; and personal recordings of parties. There are quite a few records that had no information with them and the contents of those remain unknown.

The collection includes records and tape from all steps of the production process, including master recordings on acetate discs (also known as lacquer, but referred to as acetate in this collection) and magnetic tape; metal master discs; metal mother discs; metal stamper discs; test pressings; and shellac and vinyl discs. There are a small number of paper discs and lacquered glass discs. Records range in size from 5" to 17", with the majority the standard 7", 10", 12", and 16". Speeds include 78 rpm, 45 rpm, and 33 1/3 rpm. Many of the recordings were made on Audiodisc, Duodisc, Soundcraft, and Presto recording blanks. There are some blank recording discs in the collection.

Brandt used a recording numbering scheme that is seen throughout this collection and indicates the recordings that were made at Brandt's Recording Studio (though not all Brandt recordings in the collection include a number; the absence of a number does not necessarily mean it is not a Brandt recording). The numbering scheme begins with 100- or 200-, followed by a number, and ending with CB. For example: 100-41-CB. A record with two sides normally has numbering in numerical order, with side A numbered 100-41-CB and side B numbered 100-42-CB. Some Brandt recording numbers begin with LP- (for long-play records), 45- (for 45 rpm records), and 78- (for 78 rpm records). For example: LP-200-11-CB.

Recordings often included notes, loose record labels, and other paper documents tucked into the record sleeve or audio reel box. These documents include track listings, recording details, musician names, invoices, documentation of live event recordings, and other notes. Items found in record sleeves were placed in acid-free envelopes and added back to the sleeve to remain with the record. Items found in audio reel boxes were either added to acid-free envelopes and returned to the reel box, or, in the case of larger items, moved to a separate folder. Items moved to a separate folder are listed in Series 6, and noted with the corresponding recording in the container list.

Within the container list, music and performance recordings are listed by performer, then song name (in quotes) or album name. Song titles separated with a slash denote A side and B side. Transcription records and personal recordings are listed by whatever was written on their label or sleeve. Each recording was assigned a catalog number when the collection was brought into the Center for Sacramento History. Those catalog numbers are included here and refer back to a paper master inventory. Catalog numbers begin with 1994/044/.

The collection is divided into seven series: in-studio music recordings; transcriptions and radio programming; live performances and event recordings; unknown and test recordings; personal and novelty recordings; documents related to recordings; and administrative records. See individual series scope notes below for more information.

Biographical / historical:

Brandt's Recording Studio was owned and operated by Charles M. Brandt in Sacramento from 1941 to 1984.

Charles M. Brandt was born March 6, 1907, in Stockton, California. His middle name is found spelled several different ways in the historical record as Merriet, Merritt, and Merrit. Brandt lived in Stockton until at least 1940, where he ran Brandt's Radio Sales and Service at 623 E. Market Street and had a radio program that broadcast over KWG.

He opened his recording studio in Sacramento in 1941; it may have operated in Stockton earlier, as some record sleeves are stamped "Brandt's Recording Studio, Tru-Blue Recordings, Stockton, Calif." Brandt also worked at McClellan Air Force Base in radio technology and electronics.

In Sacramento, Brandt's Recording Studio operated out of several locations along J Street over the years, first at 1319 J Street, then at 2607 J Street, and finally at 1030 48th Street. At the studio, Brandt recorded musicians, along with radio programs and commercials. The studio at first specialized in country and western and gospel music but later added pop music. Brandt also went out into the field to capture live recordings of events and performances, and to conduct interviews for radio broadcast.

Brandt was involved in many aspects of record production. In addition to his studio, he released recordings on his record labels Brandt, Camelia (sometimes spelled Camellia), and Pel-Mel. The tagline for his record labels was "Records of Richness." Brandt also had a publishing company called Gentle Wind Publishing, and he scouted for local musicians to record at his studio.

Brandt's studio had a break-in at the 48th Street location in 1980 that resulted in the loss of much of his recording equipment, but none of the recordings. He closed the studio in 1984.

Brandt was a member of the Amateur Composers Club, along with the Associated Songwriters Club of the Air, which worked to help amateur songwriters get their songs out to the public. He was also a member of the Stockton Optimist Club, Sacramento Optimist Club, and Breakfast Optimist Club. He died January 1, 1999, at age 91 and is buried at San Joaquin Catholic Cemetery in Stockton.

Acquisition information:

Donated by Erwin E. Shaltes in 1993 (accession 1993/044).

Processing information:

Processed by Kim Hayden, 2025.

Arrangement:

The collection is arranged into 7 series:

• Series 1. In-studio music recordings, ca. 1940-1978
• Series 2. Transcriptions and radio programming, ca. 1939-1978
• Series 3. Live performances and event recordings, 1940-1978
• Series 4. Unknown and test recordings, ca. 1941-1984
• Series 5. Personal and novelty recordings, ca. 1936-1968
• Series 6. Documents related to recordings, 1940-1978
• Series 7. Administrative records, ca. 1941-1980

Series 1. In-studio music recordings, ca. 1940-1978. This series is made up of musicians' recordings primarily done in the studio at Brandt's. Many of the recordings were released on Charles Brandt's Camelia or Brandt record labels and have Brandt recording numbers. Musicians include a wide range of local bands, singers, and small groups, including better-known artists Bill Rase, the Victory Five, Isalino Santos, and Joseph Nardella. There are also musicians from around Northern California, including Redding and Stockton. Many of the recordings are by gospel and country and western groups, with more pop and rock acts recorded in the later years. Songs are primarily in English, but there are several Spanish and Portuguese recordings. Almost all of the performers are identified, but there are several records that have only the song names identified. Quite a few recordings include the acetate or audiotape master and final vinyl or shellac discs, along with metal masters, mothers, and stampers for some. Many of the recordings include notes, loose record labels, and other paper documents tucked into the record sleeve or audio reel box. Large items found in reel boxes were moved to separate folders and are listed in Series 6, and noted with the corresponding recording in the container list. There is a small number of recordings unrelated to Brandt that were retained because of their local affiliation or rarity. This series is arranged alphabetically by artist or band name. Recordings are listed by performer, then song name (in quotes) or album name. Song titles separated with a slash denote A side and B side.

Series 2. Transcriptions and radio programming, ca. 1939-1978. This series contains transcription discs created or collected by Brandt's Recording Studio. They include interviews and segments for radio programs, commercials, and sound effects. The earliest transcriptions document events in Stockton and at the Golden Gate International Exposition in 1939 and 1940. Sacramento-related transcriptions document the 1963 opening of the Port of Sacramento, Buddy Olsen's "Hi Liners of 49" show at the Alhambra Theater, Solons games, Wendell Willkie's visit to Sacramento, recitals and performances, and other events. They also include radio programs for KCRA, KFBK, and other regional stations, and interviews with local luminaries like Joe Marty and Max Baer. There are also commercials for local businesses, state government public service announcements, and transcriptions related to World War II. This series is arranged alphabetically by disc name or description.

Series 3. Live performances and event recordings, 1940-1978. This series consists of recordings made live at events and performances in and around Sacramento. It includes musical performances by school, college, and church groups; religious services; music conference performances; private weddings and a bar mitzvah; Optimist Club meetings; and Masonic ritual music from Sacramento Lodge no. 40. Also included are recordings of life at La Sierra High School in Carmichael in 1963 and Highlands High School in North Highlands in 1964, both of which were released on 45 rpm 7" records. This series is arranged alphabetically by artist, group, or event name.

Series 4. Unknown and test recordings, ca. 1941-1984. This series is made up of recordings that had zero or very little identifying information, or records that were noted as being done for equipment testing purposes. Any information found with the recordings has been included in the container list. Some recordings have Brandt recording numbers and people's names associated with them, but the content of the recording is unknown. The collection is arranged alphabetically by the description of the record when available.

Series 5. Personal and novelty recordings, ca. 1936-1968. This series consists of recordings made by Brandt at parties or events at his home or the homes of friends or family; recordings of greetings; and commercially produced plastic and paper holiday novelty records. It is arranged alphabetically by the description of the record.

Series 6. Documents related to recordings, 1940-1978. This collection contains documents related to events that Brandt recorded live, along with documents found within audiotape reel boxes that were too large to stay in the boxes. Items include loose record labels, track listings, recording details, musician names, invoices, records lists, and other notes. They are identified by the recording's catalog number along with a brief description of the recording. This series is arranged by recording catalog number or event name.

Series 7. Administrative records, ca. 1941-1980. This series is made up of documents and ephemera created and collected by Brandt's Recording Studio. It includes correspondence, record sleeves and labels, financial records, sheet music, record lists, and ephemera from local businesses. It is arranged alphabetically.

Rules or conventions:

Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:

by Kim Hayden

Date Encoded:

This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2025-09-10 08:25:29 -0700 .

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

All requests to publish or quote from private manuscripts held by the Center for Sacramento History (CSH) must be submitted in writing to csh@cityofsacramento.org. Permission for publication is given on behalf of CSH as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the patron. No permission is necessary to publish or quote from public records.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item and/or item number], [box and folder number], Brandt's Recording Studio collection, MS0182, Center for Sacramento History.

Location of this collection:

Center for Sacramento History

551 Sequoia Pacific Blvd.

Sacramento, CA 95811, US

Contact:

(916) 808-7072

csh@cityofsacramento.org

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