If you missed this story on Weekend Edition last Saturday, you'll want to take a listen:
The story of Paramount Records is a story of contradictions. It was a record label founded by a furniture company, a commercial enterprise that became arguably the most comprehensive chronicler of African American music in the early 20th century. And yet, for Paramount's executives, music was an afterthought. "They didn't really care about any of it; they just wanted to sell record players," says guitarist, singer-songwriter and music impresario Jack White.