Rebuild MoonCaravan Records: Support after Hurricane Helene

Dear Friends, Music Lovers, and Supporters,

We are heartbroken to share that Moon Caravan Records, founded by the passionate musician JoLeigh Bowden and her partner Lee Kirby, has suffered a devastating loss due to the flooding caused by Hurricane Helene here in the heart of Appalachia. The entire performance space and recording studio in Marshall, NC, has been destroyed, taking with it not only the building but also precious recording equipment, vintage instruments and amplifiers, a treasured record collection, and irreplaceable archived tapes. Everything was taken wholesale by the river during catastrophic flooding that destroyed the south end of our beloved town.

Our Connection to Music

JoLeigh Bowden, a dedicated artist and producer, has been a beacon of creativity in the music community. Her journey in music has been marked by a commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of sounds that define our culture. JoLeigh has worked with an array of talented artists, creating a vibrant space where diverse musical traditions can thrive and flourish. From local folk musicians to emerging indie bands, MoonCaravan Records has been a nurturing ground for creativity. JoLeigh added vocals to David Byrne‘s “Uh Oh” album , and the Tom Tom Club’s “Dark Sneak Love action”, and was featured on the Arthur Russell album “Another Thought” as well as many other projects on which she and Arthur collaborated. She was a recording and touring member of Jerry Harrison’s Casual Gods, and performed regularly with Joey Ramone in his side project called the “Resistance”. In 1995, she helped found and went on to perform with Raleigh NC’s Milagro Saints and in more recent years co-founded and led the New York based Bear 54, a collective band oriented around the music of Arthur Russell, recorded under her own name, and co-produced other projects including “Winterbourne” and country and bluegrass-work currently underway.

The studio also proudly housed a significant piece of music history— a collection of original recordings of Arthur Russell, the influential avant-garde composer, cellist, producer and performer known for his innovative work that included early “garage” recordings that were seminal in the New York dance scene  the 1970s and 1980s, compositions and recordings with Philip Glass, “bubblegum country” with the Flying Hearts, recordings with Alan Ginsberg and so many others. Russell's unique blend of disco, classical, and experimental music continues to inspire artists today. His contributions have left an indelible mark on the landscape of contemporary music, and his recordings were a cherished part of Moon Caravan’s legacy. JoLeigh improvised vocals on many of his songs including: ‘Tell You Today’, ‘It’s a Boy’, ‘The Letter’, ‘Over the Line’, My Tiger’, ‘Keeping Up’, ‘Sunshine Lover’, ‘Losing My Taste for the Nightlife’, Mr. Problems’, ‘It’s a Turn On’, and ‘Don’t Forget About Me’ and continues to perform and record music of Arthur Russell to this day. 

A Community Hub

Located next to The Depot in Marshall, NC, MoonCaravan Records was more than just a studio; it was a developing cultural hub where musicians of all backgrounds came together to share, collaborate, and celebrate the power of music. The vibrant community spirit of Marshall enriched the creative process, and the mingling of musical traditions fostered an environment of innovation and growth.

How You Can Help

In the wake of this tragic loss, we are reaching out to our friends, family, and supporters to help us rebuild MoonCaravan Records. Your contributions will go directly toward:

• Rebuilding the Studio: Creating a new, safe space for artists to record and express themselves.

• Replacing Equipment: Purchasing new live performance and recording gear and instruments to ensure artists have the tools they need.

• Preserving Our History: Restoring and archiving the precious recordings and collections that were lost.

• Replenishing Inventory for our Artists: Stocks of recently-recorded LPs were lost and we would like to replace them for the benefit of the recording artists.

Every dollar counts, and your support will help us revitalize a crucial part of our community's artistic landscape. Together, we can restore the heart of Moon Caravan Records and continue the legacy of creativity and collaboration that has defined our mission.

Join Us

We invite you to join us in this journey. Share our story, donate if you can, and help us spread the word. Let’s rebuild a space where the magic of music can continue to thrive for generations to come.

Thank you for your support, compassion, and love for music.

With gratitude,


Alexandra Webber

For JoLeigh Bowden and Lee Kirby
and everyone at MoonCaravan Records