Finding Aid for Pogo Studio Audio Recordings and Business Records, 1977, 1987-2007 | The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Title: Pogo Studio Audio Recordings and Business Records, 1977, 1987-2007

ID: 12/9/133

Primary Creator: Pogo Studio (1980-2013)

Other Creators: Rubel, Mark (1958-2024)

Extent: 84.25 cubic feet

Arrangement:

Organized in three series:

Series 1: Sound Recordings, 1988-2007

Series 1 consists of five sub-series: Sub-series 1: two-inch multi-track sound recordings, c. 1988-2000; Sub-series 2: ADAT sound recordings, 1994-2004; Sub-series 3: DAT sound recordings, c.1992-2007; Sub-series 4: Reel to Reel Audio Tapes, 1976-1993; Sub-series 5: Commercial Sound Recordings, 1983, 2000.

Series 2: Business Records, Session Notes, and Track Sheets, 1987-2005

Series 3: Artifacts, circa 1977

Date Acquired: 12/23/2013. More info below under Accruals.

Subjects: Alumni, American folk music, Business Records, Eastern Illinois University, Music - United States, Music business, Parkland College, Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign, Rock Music, University of Illinois

Formats/Genres: Sound Recordings

Languages: English

Consists of audio recordings and related business records created by Pogo Studio of Champaign, IL, documenting recordings by performers including Hum, Starcastle, and the Vertebrats, as well as ensembles from the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University, and Parkland College. The sound recordings appear on media including 2", 1/2", and 1/4" audio tape, DAT, ADAT, CD-R, phonograph disc, and compact audiocassette.

Pogo Studio was founded in 1980 by Champaign-Urbana native Mark Rubel. The studio emerged out of Supreme Being Studios, which became Faithful Sound in 1979. During the Pogo Studio's thirty years of operation, Rubel made over 1,000 recordings for artists such as Hum, Alison Krauss, Adrian Belew, Salaryman, and Poster Children as well as ensembles from the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University, and Parkland College. Located in downtown Champaign at 117 N. Market Street and then expanding to Taylor Street, Pogo Studio offered clients a wide range of services including live and studio recordings, record production, music and technology consulting, and restoration services. In addition to his work at Pogo, Rubel served as the Audio Director of the Doudna Fine Arts Center at Eastern Illinois University where he taught classes on audio technology and the history of rock. Pogo Studio ended recording sessions in December 2013 when Rubel accepted a position at Blackbird Studio in Nashville.

Alumni
American folk music
Business Records
Eastern Illinois University
Music - United States
Music business
Parkland College
Popular Music--Illinois--Urbana-Champaign
Rock Music
University of Illinois

Repository: The Sousa Archives and Center for American Music

Accruals: An additional eight boxes of recordings were acquired from Mark Rubel on September 4, 2020. Due to extensive mold damage these materials underwent mold treatment and were not processed until 2025.

Acquisition Source: Mark Rubel, Pogo Studio

Related Materials: Mark Rubel Interview, Illinois Pioneers, WILL-TV, December 18, 2014 (airdate) For more information please see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3xOZ8Csivg.