251 Records was born shortly after the recording of Ellen Winters' debut CD was completed. Figuring that it would be easier to interest major labels with success at a local, self-produced level, Chris proposed a recording contract to Ellen, and the label was born.

A brainstorming session for names ended with a quote from the movie High Fidelity ("What's the name of your label?" "Top 5 Records.") and the name 251 Records. 251 comes from a well-worn chord progression learned by every jazz musician at some point it their careers. Jazz and pop tunes are filled with ii-V-I progressions (as they are commonly notated in classical music analysis), and they are both building blocks and clichés. We aim to be the former, not the latter!