Curly Chalker’s Dutch-Only 45: Party Game for Steel Fanatics

Posted on August 31, 2021 by Zeroto180

Zero to 180’s summertime celebration breezes right along with this parlor game for music nerds:

First, launch a new web browser and point it at 45Cat — www.45cat.com
(go ahead, I’ll wait)

Next, type the name of ace steel guitarist, Curly Chalker, in the search window
(and press Enter)

Curly Chalker (c. 1975)

Question: How many items turned up in your search?

Answer: Exactly one — from The Netherlands.

Both sides of this 1967 single — “The Race Is On” and “A Thing Called Sadness” — are taken from Chalker’s 1966 Pete Drake-produced debut album on Columbia Records, his one and only LP for ‘Big Red‘. Chalker famously follows in the footsteps of Buddy Emmons and Noel Boggs, who all made their recording debuts on Columbia, the prestigious label whose oldest recordings harken back to the year (gulp) 1896.

Cash Box made note of this single’s release in its “Holland” gossip column published in the April 22, 1967 edition (in which we also learn that Bovema had acquired the exclusive rights in Benelux for “Al Capone” by the Prince Buster All-Stars, now being “rush-released”) —

For those having trouble reading the fine print, here is a magnified view of the relevant text, in which Curly Chalker and Peaches & Herb are mentioned in the same sentence:

Check out the “hyper-stereo” mix of the A-side, with Chalker leaping out of the left side:

“The Race Is On” – George Jones’ big hit from 1964 – is the album’s lead-off track.

History cannot help but wonder —

Q: How many other recordings feature Curly Chalker’s masterful steel playing?

A: Click on boldfaced song titles below for streaming audio —

Lefty Frizzell — May 24, 1951

Chalker’s first session for Frizzell took place May 24, 1951 at the Jim Beck Studio in Dallas and produced four songs: “How Long Will It Take (To Stop Loving You)”; “Always Late (With Your Kisses)”; “Mom and Dad’s Waltz” & “You Can Go On Your Way Now.”

Lefty Frizzell — June 1 & 2, 1951

Chalker and fellow musicians followed up with a two-stint at Jim Beck Studio that netted eight songs: “Treasure Untold“; “Blue Yodel No. 6“; “Travellin’ Blues“; “My Old Pal“; “Blue Yodel No. 2“; “Lullaby Yodel“; “Brakeman’s Blues” & “My Rough and Rowdy Ways”

Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys — Dec. 11, 1951

Chalker’s participation in the December 11, 1951 session at Capitol’ Melrose Avenue Studio that yielded “Wild Side of Life” would begin a 28-year relationship (off and on) with Thompson. Three other songs recorded at that session: “Waiting in the Lobby of Your Heart“; “Don’t Make Me Cry Again” & “Cryin’ in the Deep Blue Sea.”

Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys — May 13, 1952

Four songs recorded with Chalker at this Ken Nelson-produced session: “The New Wears Off Too Fast“; “You’re Walking on My Heart“; “It’s Better to Have Loved a Little”; & “How Cold Hearted Can You Get.”

Capitol Recording Studio – MELROSE AVENUE (C. 1955)

Hank Thompson & [The] Brazos Valley Boys — Previously Unissued 1952 Air Shots — [1952]

Back cover: “The selections on this album were recorded in 1952 for the Office of Price Stabilization, an organization set up during World War Two to hold prices constant on consumer goods. It was recommended during the Korean War and was finally vetoed by the Republicans when they returned to power in 1952.” Chalker plays on seven selections, including (1951’s) “Sixty Minute Man” – originally made famous by The Dominoes for Federal Records – and “Could You Take Me Back.” LP released in 1990 by UK’s Country Routes.

Bill Wemberly & His Country Rhythm Boys — Ozark Jubilee TV show — 195?

Thumbs Carllile & Curly Chalker give “Li’l Liza Jane” a pretty thorough workout, while Ozark Jubilee host, Red Foley, looks on approvingly:

Lenny Breau — Boy Wonder — [c. 1956]

Chalker accompanies one of the world’s great guitarists (playing at the tender age of fifteen) in a family band led by Breau’s father, Hal Lone Pine, and can be heard on two western swing tracks recorded in Maine, “Muskrat Ramble” and “Knock Knock” — with Dick Curless strumming rhythm — from a 1998 CD release that includes liner notes by executive producer (and teenage friend), Randy Bachman.

Bill Bledsoe — “That Old Feeling” b/w “Tell Me Why” — 1961

Chalker and Thumbs Carllile are among the musicians backing Bledsoe on this 45.

Roy Clark — The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark — November 14-17, 1961

Among the musicians supporting Clark on his Capitol debut LP are Billy Strange (guitar), Howard Roberts (bass) and Chalker, who can be heard on such tracks as “Texas Twist“; “In the Mood“; “Drifter’s Polka” & “A Maiden’s Prayer.”

Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys — April 3, 1963

Chalker rejoins the band after an eleven-year gap to record two tracks at the “new” Capitol Records Tower: “Twice As Much” & “Just to Ease the Pain“

Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys — May 27, 1963

Chalker records two tracks: “Reaching for the Moon” & “Stirring Up the Ashes.”

Curly Chalker — Big Hits on Big Steel — 1966

Highlights of Chalker’s debut Columbia album include a snappy country jazz take on The Harden Trio’s “Tippy Toeing,” plus distinctive renditions of Roger Miller’s “King of the Road” and Ray Price’s “A Thing Called Sadness.” According to PragueFrank, recorded April 1966 at Starday Sound Studio in Nashville, with Jerry Shook (guitar), Bill Pursell (piano), Bobby Dyson & Billy Linneman (bass), and Willie Ackerman & Jimmy Stewart (drums).

Ray Price — For The Good Times — 1970

Chalker, the lone uncredited steel player, can be heard on “Crazy Arms.”

Jody Miller — Look At Mine — 1970

Chalker and Pete Drake (uncredited) both contribute steel guitar.

George Jones & Tammy Wynette — We Go Together — 1971

Chalker and Pete Drake again share steel guitar responsibilities.

Hank Thompson — March 8-11, 1971

Chalker rejoins Thompson and the band for four consecutive days at Bradley’s Barn, during which the following songs were recorded in tribute to The Mills Brothers: “I’ll Be Around“; “Gloria“; “Be My Life’s Companion“; “Glow Worm“; “Paper Doll“; “Till Then“; “You Always Hurt the One You Love”; “Cab Driver“; “Lazy River“: “You’re Nobody ‘Til Somebody Loves You“; “Across the Alley From the Alamo“; “Promise Her Anything” & “The Mark of a Heel.”

Hank Thompson & The Brazos Valley Boys — August 23, 1971

Chalker returns to Bradley Barn to record five more tracks: “I’ve Come Awful Close“; “That’s Why I Sing in a Honky Tonk“; “Fifteen Dollar Brew” (unissued); “Roses in the Wine” & “Teardrops on the Rocks.”

Swampwater — Swampwater — 1971

Linda Ronstadt’s backing band – John Beland, Gib Guilbeau, Stan Pratt & Thad Maxwell – released two self-titled debut LPs in the same year: one for King Records, incredibly (cover photo taken by Cal Schenkel), and the other for RCA Victor, which featured guest musicians, including Chalker and Jimmy Day on steel guitar, and sleeve notes by Arlo Guthrie.

Bill Haley & the Comets — Rock Around The Country — 1971

Chalker’s steel work can be heard on “Who’ll Stop the Rain” and “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For the World.”

Stan Hitchcock — “The Shadow Of Your Smile” [B-side] — 1971

This B-side features Chalker on the steel guitar solo, as noted on the 45 label.

Doug Kershaw — Devil’s Elbow — 1972

Chalker and Stu Basore (steel guitar), join Troy Seals and Jimmy Colvard (guitar), Charlie McCoy (harmonica & tuba), and The Jordanaires, among others.

Buryl Red & Grace Hawthorne — Lightshine! — 1972

Move over Godspell and Jesus Christ Superstar, and make room for Lightshine!: “Lightshine is a youth musical which brings to both the performers and the audience a totally new and joyous understanding of one of the Bible’s most beautiful and significant texts — the Beatitudes. With contemporary music sounds and up-to-date dialog, the Sermon on the Mount comes to life” [back cover notes]. Buryl Red (arranger/conductor) and Grace Hawthorne (lyricist) are joined by Nashville’s A Team — Harold Bradley, Pete Wade, Charlie McCoy, David Briggs, Bobby Thompson, Bill Pursell, Farrell Morris, Buddy Harman & Bob Moore — along with Curly Chalker, who can be heard most prominently on “Inherit the Earth” (but less so on such songs as “Weep No More” and “The Good Life“).

Floyd Cramer — Detours — 1972

Chalker and Weldon Myrick tag team independently on steel.

Charlie McCoy — Charlie McCoy — 1972

Chalker is the featured soloist on “Danny Boy.”

O.B. McClinton — O.B. McClinton Country — 1972

Chalker plays steel on six tracks, including album opener, “Deep in the Heart of Me“; “Slip Away“; “The Feeling Is Right and The Time Is Right Now” & “Bad Guys Don’t Always Wear Black Hats.”

Jimmy Bryant — It’s The First Time — 197?

As it says on the back cover: “It’s the first time … nine steel guitar players, one lead guitar player, one saxophone, bass and drums, one three-hour session, flat out picking with no overdubs.” Chalker joins Buddy Emmons, Doug Jernigan, Hal Rugg, Jimmy Day, Julian Tharpe, Lloyd Green, Maurice Anderson & Speedy West, and is the first steel guitar soloist on opening track, “Twelve Midnight.”

Rear cover photo =
Louis Bellson (center), who flew in from California for the session

Wilburn Brothers — “Heart Over Mind” — 197?

The person who posted this clip from the Wilburn Brothers television show lists these musician credits: Curly Chalker (pedal steel) – Jimmy Capps (lead electric guitar) – Lester Wilburn (rhythm guitar) – Leslie Wilburn (electric bass):

Dick Curless — Live At The Wheeling Truck Driver’s Jamboree — 1973

For this live album, Curless gets rock-solid support from Chalker, along with guitarist/bandleader Harold Bradley, Jerry Smith, Buzz Evans, Buddy Harmon, and Joe Allen. Click on this link to hear streaming audio of the album, which kicks off with “Chick Inspector” written by Vaughn Horton, who penned the back cover notes (as well as “Big Wheel Cannonball” and a number of other 45 sides).

Hank Thompson — August 21, 1973

Chalker is brought into Hendersonville’s Sound Spectrum recording facility to overdub steel guitar on five tracks: “A Six Pack To Go“; “When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold Again“; “The Corner Of My Life“; “I Recall a Gypsy Woman” & “Little Red Wagon.”

Leon Russell — Hank Wilson’s Back Vol. 1 — 1973

Chalker plays on six tracks, including “Truck Driving Man.”

Ray Hildebrand — Special Kind of Man — 1973

Gospel album by Ray (‘Hey Paula“) Hildebrand that enjoys musical backing from Chalker, Norman Blake, and Billy Sanford, among others.

Curly Chalker — More Ways to Play — 1974

Includes three Chalker originals: “Blues Bye“; “Paper Cups” & “Seven to One.”

Johnny Bush — “Home in San Antone” — March 20, 1974

In case you don’t catch all the names being called out over the course of this obscure but remarkable B-side, Rich Kienzle comes to the rescue in his liner notes for Guitar Player Presents Legends of Guitar – Country Vol. 2: *“There are no all-star ‘jam sessions’ on this collection, but Texas honky tonk singer Johnny Bush’s 1974 version of the Bob Wills favorite ‘Home in San Antone’ comes close. Produced by Ray Pennington, it features Bush (writer of the Willie Nelson favorite ‘Whiskey River‘) backed by some of Nashville’s greatest pickers, including two steel guitarists: Buddy Emmons [left speaker] and Curly Chalker [right speaker]. Hot swing fiddlers Johnny Gimble and Buddy Spicher grate the song, and the swinging lead guitar work comes from Harold Bradley, dean of Nashville studio guitarists (he worked his first session in 1946) and one of Hank Garland’s early jazz tutors.”

Hank Thompson — September 6, 1974

Chalker plays steel on three tracks recorded at Jack Clement’s Nashville studio: “After You Have Made Me Over“; “That’s Just My Truckin’ Luck” & “Mississippi Sam.”

Alf Robertson — I Nashville — 1974

Chalker and Lloyd Green provide steel support for Robertson, a country singer from Sweden, on a album that was recorded both in Swedish and English.

The Samuelsons — Vänner — 1974

Chalker provides steel support for this Swedish gospel and country group — four brothers, Rolf, Kjell, Olle and Jard — on such songs as “Han Gav Sitt Liv För Mej” and “Hjälp Mej.”

The Gardners — The Gardners — 197?

Instrumental assistance for this gospel album provided by Chalker (steel guitar), as well as musicians from both the Nashville & Atlanta Symphony Orchestras (strings).

Wanda Phillips — Her Son & Soul — 197?

Phillips gets support from a bevy of musicians on this gospel album, including Chalker.

Tommy Hawk — He’s Got the Whole World — 197?

Recorded at RCA Studios Nashville with backing from Chalker, along with Buddy Harmon, Buddy [Spicher], Pete Wade and Ray Edenton, among others.

Tucson Messengers — Home In the Sky — 197?

The five gospel musicians receive supplemental sweetening on this album from Chalker, along with D.J. Fontana (drums) and Tommy Floyd (bass).

Dave Dalton — Maine-ly Country — 197?

Chalker (steel guitar) joins D.J. Fontana (drums), among other musicians in support of the Bangor-based singer’s lone solo album.

Four Giants of Swing — S’Wonderful — 1975

Chalker steps out on “There Will Never Be Another You,” with rhythmic support from Angelo Varias (drums) and Jim Tullio (bass). Billboard‘s review in their Nov. 6, 1976 edition enthused that Venuti (“father of jazz violin“), along with Eldon Shamblin (Bob Wills & the Texas Playboys), Jethro Burns (mandolinist/humorist), and Chalker have “recorded an album for Flying Fish Records that highlights the close ties between swing jazz and the ‘western swing’ country music tradition.”

Jack Jersey & The Jordanaires — I Wonder — 1975

Chalker joins a group of top session players (Pete Wade & Buddy Harmon, Hargus Robbins, The Jordanaires) who back Jersey, a pop singer and producer from the Netherlands, on an album arranged by Harold Bradley and recorded at Columbia’s Nashville Studios.

Johnny Cash — Look At Them Beans — 1975

Chalker (uncredited) can be heard on “All Around Cowboy” and “Gone.”

Charlie McCoy — Harpin’ the Blues — 1975

Chalker provides steel, along with Paul Franklin, Russ Hicks & Weldon Myrick.

Hank Thompson — March 18-19, 1975

Chalker joins Thompson on nine tracks recorded at Jack Clement Studio: “Answer Me, My Love“; “Ramblin’ Rose“; “Mona Lisa“; “If I May“; “Too Young“; “The Gypsy“; “Pretend”; “That’s All There Is, There Isn’t Any More“; “Oh Mary, Don’t You Weep“

Hank Thompson — June 24-25, 1975

Chalker returns to Jack Clement Studio with Thompson and fellow musicians to record ten tracks — a few issued as 45 tracks but others remained unissued until Bear Family released its 8-CD Hank Thompson box set: “Modine“; “Golden Turnpike in the Sky“; “I Lost My Love to a Truck Drivin’ Man“; “Movin’ On“; “Asphalt Cowboy“; “Fifteen Miles to Clarksville“; “Trucker’s Lullaby“; “Fifteen Gears” & “Truck It Down to My House Lady”

Curly Chalker — Nashville Sundown: Curly Chalker Plays The Songs of Gordon Lightfoot — 1976

Recorded at Bradley Barn, with Harold Bradley (guitar), Pete Wade (guitar), Charlie McCoy (harmonica), Bob Moore (bass) & Buddy Harman (drums).

Hank Thompson — Back In The Swing Of Things — 1976

Chalker and Bob White take turns on steel guitar.

Marcel Dadi — Dadi’s Pickin’ – Lights Up Nashville (Pt. Two) — 1976

Dadi (“Tunisian-born Jewish French virtuoso guitarist“) recorded this album in Nashville at David Briggs’ studio with top session players, including Chalker and Buddy Emmons on steel.

Marcel Dadi — Travelin’ Man — 1977

Chalker and Emmons make a return appearance.

Marcel Dadi — Nashville Memories — 1977

Chalker and Emmons once again work their steel guitar magic.

Hank Thompson — Doin’ My Thing — 1977

Chalker appears to be the sole steel player on this album — highlights include opening track, “Cheaters Never Win,” plus “Window in My Heart“; “Time Wounds All Heals” & “She Loves the One She’s With.”

Curly Chalker — Counterpoint — 1977

Released by Steel Guitar Record Club as a 2-LP set, with Chalker’s 1966 Columbia debut as a bonus disc. According to Praguefrank, these twelve tracks were originally recorded January 31, 1971 at Jack Clement’s Nashville studio, with Harold Bradley (leader/guitar), Bee Gee Cruser (piano), Bob Moore (bass), Farrell Morris (percussion) & Buddy Harman (drums).

Buddy Spicher — Me And My Heroes — 1978

Chalker lets loose on “My Window Faces the South” [which begins at 11:12].

Margo Smith — Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You — 1978

Smith is supported on this album by three steel guitarists, including Chalker.

Joe Venuti — Joe in Chicago, 1978 — 1979

The ‘Four Giants of Swing‘ (Venuti, Chalker, Shamblin & Burns) reunite for one track – “Undecided” (the album’s closer) – on this collection of standards recorded at Curtis Mayfield’s Curtom Studios in Chicago.

The Statler Brothers — The Originals — 1979

According to the musician credits, steel guitar provided by Chalker (“The Original Hank Thompson Steel Guitar Lick“) and Don Helms (“The Original Hank Williams Steel Guitar Lick“).

Hank Thompson — The Best of the Best of Hank Thompson — 1980

These ten songs appear to be an anthology of Thompson’s past work, even though they were, in fact, recorded October 9 & 10, 1979 (along with fourteen other songs) at the *former Bradley “Quonset Hut” Recording Studios (i.e., Gusto Studio) with top musicians including Chalker, Buddy Spicher, Pete Wade, Roy Huskey, and D.J. Fontana [*sold to Moe Lytle’s Gusto Records in 1974 by Starday-King owners Bienstock, Neely, Leiber & Stoller].

Mel Tillis & Nancy Sinatra — Mel And Nancy — 1981

Chalker and Paul Franklin alternate on steel guitar.

Curly Chalker — Nevada Breaks — 1984

Cassette-only release of standards.

Curly Chalker Trivia

Curly Chalker, born October 22, 1931 in Enterprise, Alabama, made his professional debut in the nightclubs of Cincinnati, according to The Independent‘s October 22, 2011 obituary.

One Last 70-Second Blast

Jimmy Capps and Curly Chalker engage in some friendly sparring on this 70-second instrumental from The Wilburn Brothers television show:

Curly Chalker = Participant at the 3rd National Steel Guitar Convention
**(Billboard — SEPTEMBER 14, 1976)**

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Rare Reggae Roots Mix — Annotated & Illustrated

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Zeroto180

Thanks and praise to Rastawelt for posting this righteous reel-to-reel roots reggae mix:

Listed below is the running order of songs for this special cross-faded set that — based on the original Jamaican release dates — could have been assembled in the late 1970s (though not 1973, as claimed), were it not for the recording that precedes the closing track:

“Sun Is Shining” — The Wailers & Johnny Lover — 1971

Note: Johnny Lover had purchased records in The Wailers‘ Tuff Gong shop in Jamaica prior to recording a few DJ (“toasting”) singles with The Destroyers as his backing band, according to Discogs. Lover also recorded a DJ version of “I Like It Like That” for Tuff Gong in 1971 (released in the UK as “Soul Town“). Interesting to see how many Johnny Lover singles were released in the US, but even more surprising is how little overlap there is with his recordings from Jamaica. Original 7-inch release of “Sun Is Shining” on Tuff Gong sold for $350 at auction in 2015.

“Must Be a Revolution” — Righteous Flames & Black Liberators — 1975

Note: Winston Jarrett, originally in the The Flames with Alton Ellis, reformed the group as The Righteous Flames after Ellis’ departure to the UK in 1969, according to Discogs (although, confusingly, the group’s earliest recordings can be traced to 1967). Worth noting that “Must Be a Revolution” was also released in the US in 1975. Not much known about the Black Liberators Band (featured on the B-side “Revolution Dub,” which can be heard here beginning at 3:33) other than a handful of singles.

“Girl You’re So Divine” — Maurice Wellington / The Morwells — 1974?

Note: YouTube contributor Hot-Buttered-Dub points out that this track sounds great played back-to-back with Little Roy‘s ‘Prophecy‘ from 1972. Song also appears to have been recorded by Barry Heptone(s) for the Morwell Esq label. Blood and Fire did humankind a solid favor, when the label reissued a long-unavailable King Tubby mix of 1975 vocal album Presenting the Morwells (Blacka Morwell, Louis Davis & Eric ‘Bingy Bungy‘ Lamont) on a CD mix from 1997 — Morwell Unlimited Meet King Tubby’s Dub Me — that includes two extra cuts.

“To Be a Lover” — Shenley Duffus — 1971

Note: This 45 – produced & directed by “Upsetter Wonder Man” (i.e., Lee ‘Scratch‘ Perry) – includes a spare (mostly) instrumental mix on the B-side (which can be heard here beginning at 3:30). Duffus – also known as Chenley (whose earliest recordings go back to 1962) – once graced the turntable of future Apple Records executive, Barry Miles, as recounted in his unreal and offbeat memoir, The Zapple Diaries: The Rise and Fall of the Last Beatles Label — “At my flat Paul [McCartney] listened to Blue Beat records (Shenley Duffus, “Duck Soup” by Drumbago, the Charms, Derrick & Patsy, Prince Buster & the All-Stars) as well as John Cage’s Indeterminacy.”

“Zion” — The Flames — 1971

Note: Remember The (Righteous) Flames from three songs previous? “Zion” was written by “Danny” — i.e., Danny Clarke of The Meditations, affirms David Katz in Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae — and produced by Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Flip side features a drum-driven version — the sole recording by The Adisababians — that can be heard on this streaming audio clip.

“Oh Jah Come” — Ta-Teacher Love — 1975

Note: Song written by Olive “Senya” (Ta-Teacher Love) Grant, produced by Clive Chin & Aston “Family Man” Barrett, and mastered at Randy’s (a.k.a., ‘Studio 17,’ located in Kingston at 17 North Parade Street). French reissue 45 from 2020 notes The Wailers as the backing band. Family Man’s B-side mix “Ta Teasha Dub” can be heard on this streaming audio clip (beginning at 2:20).

“Christopher Columbus” — Little Roy & Ian Rock — 1975

Note: Ian Rock is a vocal group — Ewan Gardner & Anthony ‘Rocky‘ Ellis — also known as Little Ian Rock, when joined by Little Roy. Single (on the Uprising label) was produced by Carl Fletcher & L. Grant, arranged by Paul Dixon, and remixed by the legendary Sylvan Morris. Flip side “Columbus Park” – minimalist dub mix by Advocates Aggregation – features jazz-inflected guitar lines.

“This Train” — Errol Dunkley — 1971

Note: This blank “pre-release” – produced by Rupie Edwards, according to 45Cat – is a rare piece of wax that has traded hands in recent years. Dunkley’s earliest release (just prior to “Please Stop Your Lying“) was in 1966 for Prince Buster — “Love Me Forever” b/w “Toughest” (by the Prince Buster All-Stars).

“Money Never Build a Mountain” — Ronnie Davis & The Tennors — 1973

Note: This B-side (alternately titled “Who Make Such Miracle“) is a Bunny Lee production that was released as a blank promo in 1973, with “Take Heed” as the A-side. Song was also recorded for producer Lloydie Slim in 1975. Davis, who had been asked by Clive Murphy to join The Tennors after the tragic loss of founding member, Maurice Johnson, also enjoyed success as a member of The Itals and, later, Ronnie Davis & Idren.

“The Word Is Love” — The Ethiopians — 1973

Note: This 45 — released in Jamaica on FRM and in the UK on the Harry J label — was produced by Keith Anderson, a.k.a. Bob Andy, who began his career with The Blinders (later, The Paragons) briefly, before making his first solo recordings for Studio One in 1966, shortly before The Ethiopians had their first hit, “Train to Skaville.”

“Ital Queen” — The Mighty Maytones — 1976

Note: “Ital Queen” is an LP-only track, curiously, taken from The Mighty Maytones‘ 1976 debut album by the vocal duo, Gladstone Grant & Vernon Buckley, whose earliest release (as The Maytones) – “Cold Up” / “Loving Reggay” – helped usher in the “new” reggae sound of 1968. The recording credits inform us that the album — released in Jamaica as Maytones Greatest Hits and in Europe/Nigeria as Madness — was produced by Alvin Ranglin at Channel One and arranged by Errol ‘Flabba‘ Holt, with The Revolutionaries serving as the backing band on all tracks (despite the ‘greatest hits’ tag, this is not a “compilation” album, as designated by Discogs).

“It’s Like Heaven” — The Heptones — 1970

Note: Another album-only track — from 1970 Studio One LP Black Is Black (later repackaged as Ting a Ling).

“I Man Free” — King Burnett & the Upsetters — 1974

Note: Singer, who goes by Derrick and also Watty Burnett, was later invited to join The Congos, originally vocal duo, Cedric Myton and Roydel ‘Congo Ashanti Roy‘ Johnson. Organist Glen Adams purports to take center stage on the flip side “Free Man” but, alas, this appears to be an urban myth (though the dub mix includes nice trombone work). A-side also released on the Upsetter label under the title “Police Know Who Dem a Look Fah.”

“Humble Yourself” — Asher & Trimble — 1979

Note: This heavyweight Rockers International 7-inch by Asher & Trimble is, incredibly, the sole release by this vocal duo. The bigger story, however, is that Asher & Trimble turned out to be an “accidental” pairing: when Asher departed for the US, according to Discogs, producer Michael ‘Myrie‘ Taylor finished the recording by adding a harmony vocal! . B-side “Skanking” features Augustus Pablo studio ensemble, Rockers All Stars — check out the toasting vocal that kicks off this dub version in grand fashion. Original vinyl can command up to three figures at auction.

“Bosrah” — Prince Alla — 1976

Note: This song (you are forewarned) has a confusing and contested lineage, having been “released with differently spelt names and titles, and credited with different producers as accompanied by The Spear or [Vivian ‘Yabby You‘ Jackson‘s] The Prophets,” cautions Discogs. In 2008 the single was reissued in the UK as a special “dub plate” mix produced by Tappa Zukie, with the B-side mixed by Pat Kelly (one-time member of The Techniques).

“Cheer Up Black Man” — Marvin Brooks — 1975

Notes: Song — produced by Winston Riley, founder of the Techniques label, and mastered by the Gentle Genius — is one of Brooks’ earlier releases.on the Mummy imprint, run by Riley’s brother, Buster. B-side mix (3:38 mark) is more dub-like than version, I would beg to differ.

“Make Believe” — The Royals — 1976

Notes: Song — written by Lawrence ‘Jack Ruby‘ Lindo and produced by Erwin & Roy Cousins (for Roy’s own Wambesi imprint) — paired with “Jammy’s Dub” (which begins at 3:18 on this streaming audio clip). The Royals, according to Discogs, were originally formed in 1964, with Roy Cousins as founding and anchoring member, along with Maurice ‘Professor‘ Johnson, who left the group to join The Tennors.

“Rockers” — Gladstone Anderson — 1976

Notes: Song written and produced by Anderson for Rupie Edwards‘ Success label, likely recorded in late 1975 based on the UK release date.

“Life Is Sweet” — Paul Freeman — 197?

Notes: Paul Freeman recorded a handful of singles as a solo singer, including this one for the African Museum label, founded by Errol Dunkley and Gregory Isaacs in 1973. Freeman is said to have joined Knowledge (whose UK debut album was released on A&M) later in the group’s career.

“She Used to Call Me Dada” — Bob Marley & the Wailers — [c. 1979]

Notes: Song appears to have originally been an unreleased outtake from 1979 album Survival that was first made available in 1995 on Japanese CD release, The New Birth of Bob Marley.

“At the End” — Chenley Duffus — 1972

Notes: This 45 is one of three singles for Lee Perry’s Justice League label of the early-to-mid 1970s — 7-minute streaming audio clip (assembled by this reggae discographer) seamlessly links the A-side (“At the End“) with its B-side (“Goodnight My Love“).

Scepter 45 by NRBQ Alter Ego?

Posted on June 30, 2021 by Zeroto180

This month’s Zero to 180 music history piece is guest-written by a music industry insider who revealed on Popsike/Ebay how NRBQ — as their overbearing and musically-challenged alter ego, The Dickens — came close to having a 45 issued on Scepter Records, home of Dionne Warwick(e) and Chuck Jackson:

The Rarest NRBQ Record:
Dickens One-of-a-Kind Acetate

Sold for $365

Start Price: $1

Number of Bids: 18

Start Date: Feb 2, 2006

End Date: Feb. 9, 2006

DESCRIPTION

In 1970 I was working as an advertising copywriter for Columbia Records in New York and doing some free-lance production of radio commercials for various other record labels, Scepter among them.

NRBQ [i.e., the New Rhythm & Blues Quartet] had recorded two albums for Columbia with no great success. Most weekends they didn’t even have gigs, so to keep in practice, they would perform free concerts in a big field in upstate New York, in or around Saugerties where most of them lived. The Dickens were the opening act.

NRBQ’s first A-side: rediscovering the two-minute single
Promo 45 (APR. 1969) – both sides written by STEVE FERGUSON

The Dickens were NRBQ’s alter ego. Born out of fun and frustration, the Dickens were the group that NRBQ could never be…loud, dumb, lousy musicians…exactly the type of group that was becoming successful at the time (Grand Funk Railroad was a particular inspiration). In order to play in the Dickens, you had to play an instrument that you weren’t very good at playing. That meant Terry [Adams] could not be a member…he could play anything! But all the other guys, the Whole Wheat Horns (Donn Adams and Keith Spring) and various NRBQ roadies would all take turns as the Dickens, playing music as loud as they could, as long as they could, until they were literally booed off the stage.

Earl Carter, the Columbia Records copywriter who worked on NRBQ became a big fan of the group and used to travel upstate on weekends to see the NRBQ perform, and he would come back to the office with Dickens stories that would keep me in stitches. Earl became the pseudo manager of the pseudo group, and he had big plans, including selling Dickens franchises (since you didn’t have to know how to play an instrument to be in the Dickens, anyone could be a member, and every town could have their very own, officially licensed Dickens.) Earl’s ideas went way beyond conventional licensed merchandise. Sure, there were Beatles wigs and pencil cases and such. But the Dickens would aim much higher. Dickens soap! Dickens perfume! Dickens gas stations! (“Pump up at Dickens.”)

Billboard — MAY 17, 1969

One weekend Earl dragged me upstate to see a Dickens/NRBQ concert and it was amazing! With half the audience screaming, cheering and laughing, and the other half booing, the Dickens performed the loudest, funniest set I’d ever seen, ending with the group fighting one another on stage, with the instrument-clash becoming part of the music!

A few weeks later I was doing a radio commercial in the Scepter studio when the engineer, Michael Wright, mentioned that if I ever had anybody I wanted to record, I was welcome to do so at Scepter. They had a lot of unbooked time and as long as Scepter got first refusal rights to the record, I could record anyone I wanted. I looked at this as an opportunity to record a group I’d recorded in the past for A&M (The Children of God), and, of course, the Dickens. I really believed in The Children of God and I was disappointed when their A&M single went nowhere. And I thought the Dickens record would be a lot of fun to do.

NORWAY — 1969

The day of the Dickens session, the four guys who showed up were Joey Spampinato (who still called himself Jody St. Nicholas for the Dickens), Keith [who co-ran Red Rooster Records with Terry Adams] and Donn of the Whole Wheat Horns, and NRBQ roadie, Don Placco. Placco, who before joining the Dickens had never done anything more with a guitar than carry one, was the Dickens’ lead guitarist. Joey, a superb bass player, played keyboards for the Dickens. Trombonist Donn Adams – who’d always wanted to play drums and sing at the same time (like Ringo Starr and Donn’s #1 idol at the time, Karen Carpenter) – played drums and sang. Sax player Keith Spring generally played bass (though on “Sho’ Need Love,” which he and Joey composed on the spot, he overdubbed most of the instruments.)

We had three hours in the studio and most of the time was taken up by the engineer, Michael, setting up the microphones and trying to get the tape recorders to run. (It was a pretty run down studio.) The Dickens came prepared with two virtually identical songs from their concerts: “Don’t Talk About My Music” and “Pollution Revolution.” As I recall, both were performed live, with minimal overdubs. Despite Donn’s clunky drumming and Placco’s stunningly bad guitar playing, the group chose to move on rather than redo anything, so there was time for a third song. The studio has a weird sounding rinky-tink piano, and Keith and Joey composed a song for it in about five minutes. They had a lot of fun putting tons of echo on the piano and manipulating the tape speed to get bizarre effects. The whole song was done in layers with everything, including Placco’s hauntingly inept guitar break and Joey’s multitracked vocals, thought of on the spot. Coming up with a title took longer than composing the song, but they wound up taking the key word from each verse, (“Show” “Need” “Love”), and calling it “Sho’ Need Love.”

Scepter was owned and run by a woman named Florence Greenberg, the lady who signed the Shirelles, Chuck Jackson, Dionne Warwick, and gave Bacharach/David their first real shot at making records. She ruled with an iron hand, making her overweight, blind son, Stanley (Stan Green) their figurehead director of A&R. Since Scepter had first refusal rights on anything Michael recorded for himself or his friends in the Scepter studio, our three Dickens songs and two (really excellent) Children of God songs were played for Stan Green who passed on everything until the last song … the Dickens, “Sho’ Need Love”! Stan was convinced that this was a hit sound and he had us sign contracts and proceeded to release the record (backed with “Don’t Talk About My Music”).

1971 — ACCORDING TO DISCOGS

After the DJ copies were pressed, the record was played at Scepter’s weekly singles meeting for Florence and the rest of the staff. Up against new B.J. Thomas and Dionne Warwick releases, Florence hit the ceiling when she heard the Dickens single, refusing to let it come out on her label and ordering all copies destroyed! Thanks to Michael, I managed to get the two boxes of the record that had made their way to the building. I gave copies to Earl Carter and the group, and kept the rest.

As time went by, NRBQ became more and more “Dickens,” naming wrestling manager, Captain Lou Albano, as their honorary manager, and even incorporating “Don’t Talk About My Music” into their repertoire.

Every copy of the Dickens 45 you’ve ever seen or will ever see on eBay came from the original two boxes (50 records total) of promo 45s that were snatched from the trash and given to me 35 years ago. Commercial copies were never pressed and don’t exist. Until now the Dickens DJ 45 was probably the rarest NRBQ collectible record. Until now!

But here’s the new #1: the original test acetate of “Don’t Talk About My Music”/”Sho’ Need Love.” It was cut directly from the master tape onto a 10″ blank at Bell Sound. Made for the producer’s approval (that was me), only one was cut! I recently found it in a drawer in my basement. Though I doubt if I played it more than a couple of times before storing it away it was pretty grimy looking (mice had infiltrated the drawer at some point). BUT I cleaned it up and it looks very good and it probably sounds pretty good (but no guarantees…it’s being sold strictly as a historic relic).

If you Sho’ Need the rarest NRBQ record in existence, go for it! $3.50 U.S. shipping.

“Sho’ Need Love” — the acetate

Spectropop Postscript:

“The Dickens, You Say” by Phil Milstein

Musical Impersonations (on Wax)

Posted on May 31, 2021 by Zeroto180

Merle Haggard‘s tough-as-nails image, at times, belied his comic gifts, particularly his superb abilities as a mimic, represented here on this clip from The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour TV show, possibly from 1969:

Merle Haggard impersonates Marty Robbins, Hank Snow, Buck Owens & Johnny Cash

Enough people have noticed that The Fut‘s one-off 45 “Have You Heard the Word” (1969) so closely resembles The Beatles‘ sound that more than a few folks have speculated out loud that John, Paul, George and/or Ringo had a hand in its creation. Maurice Gibb of The Bee Gees (it may or may not surprise you) is to blame for an ersatz Beatle novelty tune that is very much along the lines of that same year’s ‘Masked Marauders‘ hoax. According to Richie Unterberger‘s Unreleased Beatles, the resemblance to Lennon was close enough that Yoko Ono attempted to register the copyright for “Have You Heard the Word” on behalf of Lenono Music:

“Have You Heard the Word” (Maurice Gibb &) The Fut 1969

Ten years earlier, Chubby Checker‘s first national hit – 1959’s “The Class” – had announced upfront on the 45 label that within the record’s grooves one would find the future ‘Twist’ singer “imitating” Fats Domino, The Coasters, Elvis Presley, and “The Chipmonks“:

“The Class” Chubby Checker 1959

One 45Cat contributor makes this observation —

What’s interesting, in hindsight, is that “The Class” was the B-side even though it’s not only fun as a novelty but has a lot of energy and appeal; it was a bit different than the usual quirky fare in those days. Some time and work must have went into its production, yet the more conventional “Schooldays” was the label’s original choice to plug (in other words, playing it safe). If Chubby hadn’t had his first hit with this one, you have to wonder if “The Twist” would have even been recorded and, if it had, if anyone would have noticed. Kal Mann may have been a blatant commercial writer and producer, but when he scored, it was great sonic fun, deserving of more recognition than he’s ever gotten.

Scottish singer Andy Stewart also does a nifty Elvis impression at the 1:55 mark in “Donald Where’s Your Troosers” — released 1960 in the UK (the following year in the US):

“Donald Where’s Your Troosers” Andy Stewart 1960

“Hollywood Party” — the oldest recording of an impersonation, possibly — features Florence (“impersonator”) Desmond covering such notables as Janet Gaynor, Zasu Pitts, Jimmy Durante, Greta Garbo, Tallulah Bankhead & Marlene Dietrich on a disc issued in 1932 by His Master’s Voice.

“A Hollywood Party” Florence Desmond 1932

Wait a second! Ann Penn also recorded for His Master’s Voice, who released a two-sided disc three years earlier in Australia — “Out in the New Mown Hay” b/w “Impersonations” from 1929.

“Impersonations” Ann Penn 1929

Hold it right there: Edison Bell UK released a disc in 1912 by Mr. Vernon Watson that features impersonations of George Formby (Sr.), Wilkie Bard, and George Robey.

Stage and screen star, Sammy Davis, Jr., gained fame through his gift for mimicry (and, yes, for his multiple threats as a dancer, musician, singer and actor). In 1961, Reprise went “all in” with an album, Impersonating (retitled Imitations! Impressions! Impersonations! for the Netherlands market) whose cover would boast of 20 prominent persons impersonated by Davis, including James Cagney, Jimmy Stewart, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Mel Torme, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Billy Eckstine, and Huckleberry Hound = as on “Sonny Boy“:

“Sonny Boy” Sammy Davis, Jr. 1961

The following year, Davis joined forces with his two A-list pals, Frank and Dean, for a live set at Chicago’s Villa Venice that includes “Impressions By All Three.”

Undated EP — AUSTRALIA

Rich Little was a television fixture in my youth, who also released a few singles over the course of his career, with 1968 single “That’s Life” being the best of the bunch:

“That’s life” Rich Little 1968

The year before, Little had issued “Canada (A Centennial Song)” — a “seldom-heard parody of Bobby Gimby‘s ‘Centennial Song’ [with] Rich Little imitating Lester B. Pearson and John Diefenbaker,” according to the person who posted this audio clip. Little would also record 1971’s “The Draft” for Mercury Records and 1982’s “President’s Rap” (which “borrows” from Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love“) for Boardwalk Entertainment.

Speaking of impersonations, Ray Stevens once did his level best to emulate the sound of bagpipes on 1969 B-Side “Bagpipes That’s My Bag“:

“Bagpipes That’s My Bag” Ray Stevens 1969

America’s #1 musical family, The Rhodes Kids, issued a live album — recorded at the Las Vegas Hilton in the early 1970s, most likely — that featured a medley of “Impressions“: Donny Osmond‘s “Sweet & Innocent” (Brett Rhodes); Johnny Cash‘s “Folsom Prison” (Ron Rhodes); Louis Armstrong’s “Hello Dolly” (Gary Rhodes) & Tom Jones‘ “She’s a Lady” (Mark Rhodes).

Around this same general time period, impressionist Arthur Blake appears to have pressed his own full-length album for sale at live shows — a disc that features impersonations of Zazu Pitts, Sophie Tucker, Raymond Burr, Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Eleanor Roosevelt, Marilyn Monroe, Hedda Hopper, Mae West, Louella Parsons, Tallulah Bankhead, and Ethel Barrymore, as well as Lionel Barrymore, Noel Coward, Raymond Burr, Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, Peter Lorre, Clifton Webb, and Jimmy Stewart. Summer of 1971 found Blake “performing at the Crown & Anchor in Provincetown, Massachusetts,” according to Discogs.

The Fantastic Baggys — an L.A.-based surf band created by P.F. Sloan and Steve Barri — closed their 1964 debut album with a two-part surf celebration/mockfest “Surfin’s Back Again” + “Surf Impersonations“:

“Surfin’s Back Again” + “Surf Impersonations” The Fantastic Baggys 1964

Starday‘s 1963 live Big “D” Jamboree LP (recorded at Ed McLemore’s Sportatorium in Dallas, with Horace Logan as Master of Ceremonies) includes Frankie Miller impersonating Johnny Cash in a send-up of “I Walk the Line“:

“I Walk the Line (Pull the Twine)” Frankie Miller 1963

1963 also saw the release of Starday’s Country & Western Confidential (A Backstage Expose), an entire album of impersonations by Gene Martin — with Flatt & Scruggs, The Bluegrassmen, Wayne Raney, Webb Pierce, Johnny Cash, Cowboy Copas, Tex Ritter, Eddy Arnold, Bill Monroe, and Roy Acuff all making an appearance.

Seven years prior, Leon Payne had recorded “Two by Four” — a “love duet” inspired by Kitty Wells’ and Red Foley’s big hit, “One by One” — in which Payne (rather than an “unbilled gal singer” per Cash Box‘s April 7, 1956 review) sang both parts:

“Two By Four” Leon Payne 1956

Starday Trivia: 1964’s Special 38th Birthday Edition of Grand Ole Opry Country Music Festival LP — a 17-song various artists compilation album sponsored by Kroger and released on Starday — includes a track by The Willis Brothers that appears to be exclusive to this disc: “Impersonations of Country Music Stars“

A search of this website reveals a bonus history bit from last August that marveled at Hardrock Gunter‘s very convincing impression of Hank Williams on 1951’s answer song, “My Bucket’s Been Fixed“:

“My Bucket’s Been Fixed” Hardrock Gunter 1951

Which, of course, brings to mind Zero to 180’s prior celebration of Thumbs Carllile‘s pitch-perfect impersonations of the top country jazz guitarists of the day in his delightful musical roll call “Springfield Guitar Social“:

“Springfield Guitar Social” Thumbs Carlisle 1958

Hey, check out Terry Fell‘s “Hillbilly Impersonations” of Hank Williams, Hank Snow, Red Foley, Ernest Tubb, T. Texas Tyler, Roy Acuff, and Lefty Frizzell, among others:

“Hillbilly Impersonations” Terry Fell 195?

France‘s Jean Valton is renowned for his impersonations of Fernand Raynaud, Jean Richard, Darry Cowl, Eddie Constantine, and Jean Nohain, et al., and this single-sided promotional disc enjoys distinction of being underwritten by the insecticide, Fly-Tox, whose active ingredient was DDT, a chemical compound “discontinued in the United States,” according to the EPA’s website.

Bonus TV Performance

Rich Little as Johnny Cash — “Orange Blossom Special” (1972)

Q: What other musical impersonations do you think should be included in this piece?

“My Next Impersonation” Jerry Reed 1969

Recording date: November 20 1969
RCA Victor Studio – Nashville, TN
Jerry Reed: Guitar & vocals
Bill Sanford: Guitar
Pete Wade: Guitar
Henry Strzelecki: Bass
William Ackerman or Jimmy Isbell: Drums
Larry Butler: Piano
Chet Atkins & Felton Jarvis: Producers
Strings overdubbed on December 11, 1969

* * *

“My Next Impersonation”
[written by Shel Silverstein]

Now for my first impersonation friends,
I would like to do for you
A simple lovin’ family man
With a simple attitude
See him loved by friends and neighbors,
See the self-respect he gains
See him warm, see him tender…watch him change

Now for my next impersonation,
I’d like to do a restless man
Who now holds wine and night-life
In his inexperienced hands
See him jugglin’ all the pieces,
As he tries to grab ’em all
See him tempted, see him falter…watch him fall

But stick around friends cause the best is yet to come
When ya see my impression of a man who’s a steady cryin, nail chewin’…chain smokin’ bum
Well friends I see you have seen enough…and you’re ready to go
So let me hear one rousin’ cheer as I…close my show
With a portrait of a wasted fool, who let his world slip by
See him crawl, see him crumble…hear him cry

And for my last impersonation…watch him die

Honey Ltd.’s Big Promo Push

Posted on April 30, 2021 by Zeroto180

Produced by Lee Hazlewood but arranged and conducted by Ian Freebairn Smith, “Silk ‘n’ Honey” — side one closing track of Honey Ltd.‘s sole album — is a great piece of pop music:

“Silk ‘n’ Honey” Honey Ltd. 1969

Much appreciation to self-titled mag* [*link from 2013 no longer active] for seeking out Joan and Alexandra (“Sandy“) Sliwin of Honey Ltd. to ask about what is obviously a stand-out track:

Joan: “Silk ‘N Honey,” written by Laura [Polkinghorne] and [Marsha] Temmer, seems to be our most liked, accessible song over the years. Ian Freebairn Smith did a lovely arrangement for this song that might be the most signature track for us overall.
Alex: Yep, love the song but then, I love all of them (except “Louie, Louie”). “Lu ma / Soo wah.” (That’s the background singing phrase on “Silk ‘N Honey.” We made it up as syllables; it doesn’t mean a thing. However I’d like to think of it as a greeting, like “Namaste.” When I say it aloud, people think I’m nuts and look at me funny, like I belong to a strange spiritual tribe. Ha ha.)
Joan: Ian Freebairn Smith deserves a lot of credit for really trying to capture the essence of the original tunes. Along with “Silk ‘N Honey,” Ian arranged “The Warrior,” “No You Are,” “I’ve Got Your Man,” “For Your Mind,” “Come Down,” “Tomorrow Your Heart” and “Love, The Devil” … The list of musicians involved with us tells you we weren’t just lucky; we were blessed. It was a grand time.
Alex: It certainly was!

Light in the Attic’s Complete LHI Recordings anthology from 2013, thankfully, identifies each and every session musician who helped bring these songs to life during the group’s short existence, and it’s an impressive roster:

Bass: Carol Kaye; Chuck Berghofer*; Harvey Newmark; Jimmy Bond; Bill Pitman & Lyle Ritz
Drums: Donald Frost; Jim Gordon; John Guerin
Guitar: Al Casey; David Cohen; Don ‘Dirt’ Lanier; Donnie Owens; James Burton; Jim Helms; Lou Morell; Mike Deasy; Bill Pitman & Ry Cooder
Horns: Allan Beutlar; David Duke; Dick Hyde; James Decker; Jim Horn; Jules Chaikin; Lew McCreary; Morris Repass; Oliver Mitchell; Plas Johnson; Richard Leith; Roy Caton; Thomas Scott & Virgil Evans
Keyboards: Don Randi; Jack Nitzsche; Michael Lang & Mike Melvoin
Percussion: Gary Coleman & Norman Jeffries
Strings: Armand Kaproff; Arnold Belnick; Bernard Kundell; David Burk; Harold Bemko; Jerome Kessler; Jesse Ehrlich; Leonard Malarsky; Ralph Schaffer; Sidney Sharp; Tibor Zelig & William Kurasch

* Bassist for TV’s “Barney Miller” theme (and Nancy Sinatra’s “Boots” et al.)

Honey Ltd. had made their debut in the music trade press with Record World‘s announcement “Honey Ltd. Gets Giant LHI Drive” in the March 9, 1968 issue:

Lee Hazlewood has signed an all-girl quartet from Detroit named Honey Ltd. to his LHI label, distributed by ABC Records.

The feminine foursome’s first release will be “Come Down” b/w “Tomorrow Your Heart,” two originals. The group’s tunes are written by Laura Polkinghorne and Marcia Jo Temmer. Vocals are done by these misses and Alexandria Sliwin and sister Joan Sliwin.

All four studied at Wayne State University outside Detroit and decided to form a group in their sophomore year. This December, after a year’s experience, they took a leave of absence from school, flew to Los Angeles on their savings and walked into Hazlewood’s office one Monday morning unannounced. By Tuesday afternoon, they had signed a contract with LHI and cut their first single by Thursday.

Hazlewood is supporting their maiden effort with the largest advertising and promotional campaign in the label’s history.

That same week, Cash Box included this paragraph in their “Record Ramblings” column:

Our “West Coast Girls of the Week” are Marsha (21) who writes movie shorts, Laura (21) who writes poetry, Alexandra (21) who sews all her own clothes (she was also Wayne State U.’s “Homecoming Queen”) and Joan (20) who paints. Together they’re known as Honey Ltd., a new vocal group out of Detroit who are represented this week with their first LHI single “Come Down” b/w “Tomorrow Your Heart.” The foursome formed during their soph year at Wayne State, saved enough during the year to travel to the coast and, we’re told, arrived unannounced at Lee Hazlewood’s office on a Monday morn. By Tuesday, according to an apocryphal publicity handout, they were pacted by Hazlewood and by Thursday they had already taped their sides. Lee, incidentally, is supporting their maiden effort with the most imposing promo campaign in the young label’s history.

Cash Box raved about the A-side as a “Newcomer Pick” in that same March 9, 1968 issue:

Brimming with a youthful vigor and strength, the Honey Ltd. bows on a track that is destined to make a sizeable impression on the teen market. Excellent ork and vocal harmonies combine force with a powerful dance beat to make this side a heavy candidate for breakout action.

Record World,s review, while supportive, was a little more circumspect in its praise:

Four pretty girls and a contemporary song in these grooves. Could break through.

Cash Box‘s March 16, 1968 edition made the deal official (“LHI Pacts Honey Ltd.“), while that same issue pegged the new single at #37 on Cash Box‘s “Looking Ahead” chart (i.e., promising singles hovering just under the Top 100). Two weeks later, “Come Down” would jump twenty spots to the #17 position, with Cash Box noting the range of resources deployed – both human and tactical – on the group’s behalf in its piece “Hazlewood-ABC Join Forces in Major Honey Ltd. Promo“:

BEVERLY HILLS — Lee Hazlewood and ABC-Paramount Records are joining forces to give Honey Ltd. the strongest promotional campaign ever mounted for an artist with his LHI label. LHI is distributed nationally by ABC.

After introducing the all-girl quartet with two page ad spreads, a joint LHI-ABC venture, the campaign moved into a double mailing service, with photos being included the second week, on Honey Ltd.’s first single “Come Down.”

Hazlewood retained four independent regional promo men and ABC added nine promotion men to give the new group national penetration.

Additional promotional activity has stemmed from the the group’s management, Bernard, William & Price. An extensive TV schedule is underway, opening with an appearance on the Jerry Lewis Show March 26.

West Coast promotion trips are being made in conjunction with regional TV appearances and other special events scheduled by the management agency, LHI, and Hazlewood’s public relations firm.

In addition, the campaign has included the mailing of 500 jars of honey to deejays and radio and TV personalities.

Hazlewood said the promo drive will continue into April at which time the group — Laura Polkinghorne, Marcia Jo Temmer, and sisters Sandy and Joan Sliwin — will cut their first album. The girls, all former coeds at Wayne State University in Detroit, were signed by Hazlewood early this year after they flew out to audition for him.

“Come Down” would continue its climb to #5 on Cash Box‘s “Looking Ahead” chart the week of April 6, 1968 and peak the week of April 13 at #4.

The following month, Record World‘s Ron Baron, who had been given exclusive access to a Honey Ltd. recording session, observed that “the girls write their own material and handle their vocal arrangements” in his enthusiastic report – “Honey of a Session” – published in the May 25, 1968 issue:

LOS ANGELES — At a recent recording session held here, it was not erroneous to address all of the recording artists as “honey” for this particular quartet of girls on LHI Records are known professionally as Honey Ltd.

The girls, natives of Detroit, have already generated nationwide impact with their first single “Come Down.”

It hasn’t even been a year since Marsha Temmer, Laura Polkinghorne, Joan and Sandy Sliwin flew to California for a vacation, played a dub for Lee Hazlewood, signed a recording contract with LHI, acquired Bernard and Williams as managers, appeared on a half dozen TV shows and now have finished their next single release.

Sessions are especially exciting when there exists the aura of a smash. This hardly happens all the time, but it certainly was prevalent the night of Honey’s session. Laura Polkinghorne wrote the tunes, “The Warrior” and “Silk ‘n’ Honey.” Ian Freebairn-Smith did the arrangements, and one of the most sought-after producers in the world, Lee Hazlewood, produced the date.

Honey can’t spread itself thin. The group has the ultimate to offer in musically satisfying melody and harmony. The girls write their own material and handle their vocal arrangements. The single will be released in a few weeks with their first album to follow later.

Six months later, a bomb suddenly detonated:

As reported in Billboard’s Nov. 9, 1968 edition =

NEW YORK — Lee Hazlewood has severed his ties with ABC Records to develop his LHI label as a complete independent, and, at the same time, has ended his team-up arrangement with Nancy Sinatra, to work along similar production and duet lines with Ann-Margret.

In winding up his ties with ABC, Hazlewood said, “In today’s competitive record market, the advantages of an independent record producer to have his own label distributed by a major is rapidly dwindling. Most major companies in effecting dealings with independent producers are really only looking for an automatic hit and not the ‘work’ record. The emphasis by a major company is to work on its own product where its profit margin is highest. If the independent producer creates an automatic hit, then it works out fine. Otherwise to create an artist who sustains over a long period of time, a great deal of promotional work must be invested.”

Ann-Margret Tie

The first LHI push will be on Ann-Margret and will be tied in with her CBS-TV special set for December 1. She will be going out on a 14-city personal appearance tour in conjunction with the sponsors of the TV special, Canada Dry. Following Ann-Margret’s solo disk release will be an album by the Surprise Package. After the first of the year, LHI plans to release duets by Ann-Margret and Hazlewood.

Hazlewood’s dueting with Miss Sinatra on the Reprise Records LP, Nancy and Lee, is nearing the gold record award category. It is also a top seller in England, Germany, Austria and the Scandinavian countries. Hazlewood was responsible for Miss Sinatra’s first big single, “These Boots are Made for Walking,” which was released in 1966. It is understood that there are no Lee Hazlewood-Nancy Sinatra duets left in the can at Reprise.

LHI Expanded

LHI recently took additional space at its headquarters in Los Angeles. The staff of LHI includes Hazlewood as general manager; Gil Bogus as manager of sales and promotion; S.J. Hokum as advertising and packaging manager; Sue Jennings as office manager, and C. Haro as assistant office manager. Red Steigel has been set as West Coast promotion man and a network of local promotion men is now being set up.

Bogus recently lined up 26 distributors in the U.S. and Canada. LHI presently has a deal with Decca Records Ltd. for England and Germany, and with Festival Records for Australia.

Hazlewood is also being lined up for three TV specials. The first will be “Trouble Is a Lonesome Town,” to be co-produced by Roger Smith and Hazlewood. Smith, a film producer, is Ann-Margret’s husband. Another special now in preparation by Winters/Rosen Productions is “Ladies of the World of Lee Hazlewood.” Winters/Rosen produced the upcoming Ann-Margret special on CBS-TV. Also, Hazlewood will be the musical director and appear in the TV special, “The Spring Thing,” which will be shown in April on NBC-TV.

That same week, Cash Box also reported on Hazlewood’s big move, albeit in less dramatic fashion, in a news item entitled “Hazlewood Charts Indie Course for LHI“:

NEW YORK — After several distribution deals, Lee Hazlewood’s LHI operation is going totally indie.

Hazlewood, who formed the label through Decca Records in 1967 and more recently through ABC, feels that today’s competitive demands necessitates the move. He sees as “rapidly dwindling” the advantages of an indie record producer in having his label distributed by a larger company.

“Most major companies in effecting dealings with indie producers,” he says, “are really only looking for an automatic hit and not the work record. The emphasis by a major company is to work on its own product where its profit margin is highest.”

In deciding to put all his energies into the development of LHI, Hazlewood said that he would no longer produce or sing with Nancy Sinatra on Reprise. He said he has also received his release from Reprise. Instead, he will form a new duo of Ann-Margret and Lee Hazlewood for LHI. Other acts on LHI include The Surprise Package, a Seattle-based underground group, another underground team from California, the Aggregation, and the Honey Ltd. The Margret-Hazlewood duo will debut in January. Meanwhile, a solo single by the singer-actress is due soon with 14-city tour by the star to help the disk along.

Move Office Space

LHI recently took additional space at 9000 Sunset Blvd. There’ll soon be a network of local promo men. The current exec line-up at LHI includes Hazlewood, general manager; Gil Bogus, manager of sales-promotion; S.J. Hokum, manager of advertising and packaging; Sue Jennings, office manager; C. Haro, assistant; Red Steiger, west coast promotion manager. Company’s legal counsel is the firm of Marty Marchat.

Bogus has step-up 26 distribs within the US and Canada to service and distribute the LHI line. LHI is presently under arrangement with British Decca Ltd. for England and the German territories and with Festival for Australia.

TV Specials

Hazlewood will this year appear on three television specials, two of which are being built around him. The first television special will be “Trouble Is a Lonesome Town” to be co-produced by Roger Smith and Lee Hazlewood. Roger Smith is the husband of Ann-Margret and the producer of many motion pictures.

Another special is being prepared by Winters Rosen Productions entitled “The Ladies of the World of Lee Hazlewood.” Winters and Rosen produced the Ann-Margret Special which will be seen on CBS on December 1, 1968 in the Smothers Brothers time slot. Also, Hazlewood will be the musical director and appear in the television special entitled “The Spring Thing” to be shown in April, on NBC.

Billboard, reporting from Tokyo in its January 29, 1969 edition, noted that “ABC group Honey Ltd. were a big hit on the Bob Hope Christmas special tour of the Far East.” And yet, when one examines the group’s single releases under Lee Hazlewood’s direction, it’s hard to fathom why the producer did not place greater trust in his artists’ talent. Honey Ltd.’s first 45 for LHI (recorded December 1967, according to 45Cat) had featured original compositions on both sides. The next single – a promotional 45 released in August 1968 – quizzically, was a cover of “Louie Louie” and hardly the best showcase for the group. February 1969 saw the release of Honey Ltd’s next double-sided disc, and in a more musically just world, “Silk ‘n’ Honey” would have been the A-side. Tragically, that honor went to a track written by Laura Nyro (“Eli’s Coming”) and produced/arranged by Mike Post, although not included on their hard-to-find 1968 full-length LP [according to one Discogs contributor, “so small was the stock copy it may not have actually been properly released to [J]oe [P]ublic” — a claim borne out by auction prices].

Record World‘s review from their February 22, 1969 issue:

The Laura Nyro song done with a galvanic girl chorus. This song is going to break through.

Indeed, the song did break through later that year — for Three Dog Night.

B-Side: Coulda Been a Contender

The next single release, frustratingly enough, though only a promo, would follow the same pattern: A-side non-original (“Silver Threads and Golden Needles“) produced and arranged by Mike Post (but not included on the album), paired with a fresh pop tune from the pen of Marsha Jo Temmer and Laura ‘Creamer‘ Polkinghorne — in this case, “No You Are.” Ultimately, the only Honey Ltd. releases that saw any kind of chart action were the ones written by Polkinghorne and/or Temmer.

Stunning to see the prices paid years later for a copy of the original 1968 Honey Ltd. LP: $1975 (in 2006); $1637 (in 2011); and $1500 (in 2011).

Toward the end of the group’s run, Hazlewood singled out Laura Polkinghorne as a potential solo artist — as noted in Billboard‘s August 2, 1969 piece, “Hazlewood Doubling As Act, Producer on Label” — although no solo recordings appear to have ever been released:

LOS ANGELES — Lee Hazlewood is working on four record projects for his LHI Records, including two albums featuring himself as an artist.
He will work with vocalist Suzi Jane Hokom for an October LP release, and sing with a 40-piece orchestra in [Forty], an album recorded in England and due for an Aug. 1 release.
Hazlewood would also produce an album for Laura Polkinghorne, lead singer for Honey Ltd., an LHI group, and another for Ann-Margret, with the film star singing solo. Her initial effort for LHI combined her with Hazlewood in Cowboy and the Lady.
Albums distributed by LHI are part of a three-year tape production arrangement with Ampex, whereby LHI will produce at least 30 albums over a three-year span.
LHI will concentrate on about seven artists, said Hazlewood, including Miss Hokom, Danny Mich[a]els, the Aggregation, the Surprise Package, Honey Ltd., Laura Polkinghorne and Ann-Margret. Hazlewood will also record for the label.
Hazlewood plans to emphasize the company’s two publishing firms, Lee Hazlewood Music (ASCAP) and Guitar Music (BMI). He’s looking for additional writers to complement himself, Miss Polkinghorne, Larry Marks and Jeff Cain.

Hazlewood’s bid for independence, sadly and shockingly, only lasted one year — as reported in Record World‘s November 22, 1969 issue:

According to a joint announcement, Jimmy Bowen’s Amos Records will immediately assume management and administration of Lee Hazlewood’s LHI Records.

Hazlewood stated: “I will still maintain complete artistic and financial control of LHI. This management agreement will free to concentrate more on TV production and films.” Hazlewood has just completed his first film assignment for Filmways and MGM, “The Moonshine War.”

Effective immediately, LHI Records will be housed in the Amos Record offices at 6565 Sunset Blvd., Suite 120, Hollywood, Calif. Bruce Hinton, General Manager of Amos Records, stated that distributors for the joint venture will be announced momentarily.

Bowen told the press the alliance would not affect in any way Amos Productions. Bowen stated, “It’s a new, unique move and we believe it is a sound innovation which will give the combined label additional strength from a distribution and promotional standpoint.” Amos Productions will continue to produce for other labels; the engineering division will remain as is; and the production company will continue under its previously set up organization with Bowen as President and Tom Thacker as VP.
Hazlewood has recorded his first record under the new arrangement, “Trouble Maker,” shipped to over 2000 radio stations in four days. At press time, the record, according to Hi[n]ton, “is breaking in several markers with over 40,000 shipped already.”

Honey Ltd. would get one final mention in the music trades when Cash Box‘s “Insight & Sound” column in their August 8, 1970 edition posted this news item:

HOMECOMING QUEEN at Wayne State U. in Detroit (1966), Alexandra (Sandy) Sliwin came to L.A. as part of the Honey Ltd. foursome who recorded for LHI Records. The group, now known as Eve, still works studio dates with Sandy but most of her working hours are spent as receptionist at Amos and secretary for v.p. Tom Thacker. Sandy is blonde, 24 and enjoys sailing, modeling she’ll occasionally pose on behalf of Commercials Unlimited and vocalizing. Current pet project: the fourth annual Amos Invitational Golf Tournament (committee headed by Tom Thacker, Dave Pell, Piggy Smith and Artie Valando with Jimmy Bowen hosting the Aug. 9th meet at Los Robles in Thousand Oaks). Sandy is in charge of the entry list. She’s also our breathtaking West Coast Girl of the Week.

Eve, according to the blurb in Discogs, had recorded under the name Honey Ltd. “until Alexandra Sliwin dropped out to marry John David [J.D.] Souther.” The group’s 1970 album release for LHI Records includes four originals: “Dusty Roads” (by Laura Polkinghorne Creamer & Marcia Jo Temmer), “Could You” (by Creamer), “My Man Sunshine” (by Temmer), and “Take It and Smile” (by [future Eagle] Glenn Frey & Laura Creamer). This album – entitled Take It And Smile – was produced by Tom Thacker and features top-notch instrumental support from the following musicians:

Drums: Hal Blaine & Ron Tutt
Bass: Joe Osborn
Rhythm Guitar: Mark Creamer & Ry Cooder
Bottleneck Guitar: Ry Cooder
Lead Guitar (Dobro): James Burton
Pedal Steel Guitar: Sneaky Pete
Electric Piano & Organ: Gary Illingworth
Organ & Piano: Larry Muhoberac

Hazlewood would, again, select a non-original (Bacharach & David’s “Anyone Who Had a Heart”) for a promo 45. .However, a second promo 7-inch saw release that same year — Dylan’s “You Go Your Way” b/w title track, “Take It and Smile” — though not on the LHI label, but rather Bell Records, curiously enough. .Worth noting that Eve’s sole LP – which generally commands two figures at auction – includes a version of John Randolph Marr’s “Hello L.A., Bye Bye Birmingham” — a song previously celebrated by Zero to 180.

Gary Burton’s Tennessee Firebird

Posted on March 31, 2021 by Zeroto180

Jimmy Colvard was a teen in 1963 when he played those distinctive snapping and popping guitar sounds that helped make “Six Days on the Road” a runaway hit for Dave Dudley. I have since learned that Colvard played guitar on a number of albums in the 1960s and 70s by such artists as Wynn Stewart, Waylon Jennings, John Hartford, Ferlin Husky, Vassar Clements, Doug Kershaw, Kris Kristofferson, Ivory Joe Hunter, Dick Feller, Doc & Merle Watson, Guy Clark, Dolly Parton and French rocker, Eddy Mitchell. Colvard was also part of the later lineup of Barefoot Jerry. (1975’s You Can’t Get Off With Your Shoes On).

One of Colvard’s more interesting associations was the 1966 country jazz experiment, Tennessee Firebird, by Gary Burton & Friends (near and far) on RCA.

Check out the musicians who played on this session:

Banjo:  Sonny Osborne
Bass:  Henry Strzelecki & Steve Swallow
Drums:  Kenneth Buttrey & Roy Haynes
Fiddle: Buddy Spicher
Guitar:  Chet Atkins, Jimmy Colvard & Ray Edenton
Harmonica:  Charlie McCoy
Mandolin:  Bobby Osborne
Organ: Gary Burton
Piano:  Gary Burton
Saxophone:  Steve Marcus
Steel Guitar:  Buddy Emmons
Vibraphone:  Gary Burton
Producer: Brad McCuen & Chet Atkins

This heavyweight assemblage of talent recorded a country jazz take on Bob Wills standard “Faded Love” that, of course, included some space for the vibraphone:

“Faded Love” Gary Burton & Friends 1966

“Jazz encounters the world of Country Music. An exciting Jazz Quartet together with great Country instrumentalists” — LP cover.

Recorded September 19-21, 1966 in RCA Victor´s “Nashville Sound” Studio. RCA issued a DJ promo 45 of the title track in 1967 to get the word out (would be curious to know of any recordings by earlier artists that also feature the unlikely pairing of banjo and vibraphone).

Billboard selected Tennessee Firebird as a “Jazz Spotlight” in the album reviews for their March 18, 1967 edition:

An interesting, enjoyable experiment — country music artists supporting an accomplished jazz musician — and it works. The effect is countrified, but solid jazz. Tunes country fans would recognize include “Born to Lose,” “I Can’t Help It,” and “Gone.” This album will sell well in the jazz field and many country music fans will purchase it, too.”

Cash Box‘s review from their April 8, 1967 edition:

An interesting and effective blend of jazz and country sounds, this striking album by Gary Burton and Friends could win the approval of an extremely diverse audience. Alternately playing vibes, piano, and organ, Burton leads his group through twelve rousing instrumentals including “Gone,” “Just Like a Woman,” “I Can’t Help It,” and “Alone and Forsaken.” Deserves close attention.

Interesting to note that a few months later, Burton “was beating out melodies from his RCA Victor Tennessee Firebird LP with [Larry] Coryell’s searing guitar driving each phrase home” at the 1967 Newport Jazz Festival, as reported in the July 15, 1967 issue of Cash Box.

Looking back at Nashville’s history as a world-class recording center for a diverse range of musical sounds and styles — not just “folk” and country — Billboard‘s Nashville Bureau Chief, Gerry Wood, would write about jazz’s under-acknowledged contribution in the April 26, 1980 edition for a feature piece entitled “Music City No Limits – A Billboard Spotlight” (p. 41):

Nashville’s radio clout with two 50,000-watters has had an immense effect on the music industry. Thousands of present day music business performers and executives cut their teeth on the late night offerings of WLAC or its down-the-dial counterpart, WSM, home of the “Grand Old Opry.” WSM can be heard in all 48 continental states — as a mail-in contest proved a few years ago.

And then, along came jazz.

In the late ’50s, the music scene drew a very young Gary Burton to Nashville from Indiana, and he impressed no less an expert than Chet Atkins, who won the Playboy Jazz Poll guitarist award for nearly a decade.

Monday night jam sessions were held for years in Printer’s Alley at the Carousel Club — an off night when the country musicians would sit in and play jazz. The leading picker was always Hank Garland, but the rest of the jazz lovers were on hand — and they included Gary Burton.

The first jazz LP to be cut in modern Nashville probably was the Tennessee Firebird album that Brad McCuen produced with Burton for RCA. “We used Burton’s quartet and a large number of local pickers,” recalls McCuen. “The men had a good time and this experience led to the formation of the band Area Code 615 which cut several commercially successful albums in the late ’60s and early ’70s.”

Nashville is the home of of the statewide Tennessee Jazz and Blues Society, an organizations that for the past seven years has held a Jazz Festival that has brought Nashville such attractions as Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Dizzy Gillespie, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Stan Getz and their groups.

McCuen and Bruce Davidson have a National Public Radio network show on jazz that originates from the studios of WPLN-FM, Nashville, and is syndicated.

Burton and Garland had already worked together in the studio six years earlier on Garland’s second solo album, Jazz Winds From a New Direction, recorded August 23, 1960. Rich Kienzle explains how the musicians initially connected in his first-rate liner notes for Sundazed’s 2001 CD reissue:

“[Hank’s first] album appeared in January, 1960 on Columbia’s Harmony budget label, not a first-priority release but one that got his foot in the door. As the Carousel jams continued [i.e., after-hours improvisations with fellow Nashville A-teamers at Jimmy Hyde’s Carousel Club in Printer’s Alley], the club became a magnet for every jazzman passing through town. One night, Dave Brubeck showed up. Another night, members of Stan Kenton’s Orchestra stood awestruck as Hank tore through “Back Home in Indiana.” RCA executive Steve Sholes, Chet Atkins’s boss and close friend, brought Newport Jazz Festival producer George Wein to the Carousel. Wein booked the group, Hank, Atkins, [Floyd] Cramer, Boots [Randolph], [Bob] Moore, [Buddy] Harman and a few others for Newport in July. RCA would record the live performance [1961’s After the Riot at Newport LP].

Billboard’s Oct. 31, 1960 review: “The country acts acquit themselves with distinction on seven tracks, with honors going to vibest Gary Burton, guitarist Hank Garland and pianist Floyd Cramer.”

“Hank needed a vibes player for his band that summer. Boots brought him talented 17-year-old Princeton, Indiana native Gary Burton. Preparing to begin classes that fall at the famed Berklee College of Music (where in 2001 he serves as Executive Vice-President). Burton played locally with Hank and became a Carousel regular who accompanied the group to Newport. After rioting ended the festival prematurely, they recorded an impromptu session at the rented mansion they stayed at. Two songs, “Relaxin'” and “Riot-Chous,” an extemporized bop piece that Boots and Hank created, figured prominently in Hank’s next Columbia session, scheduled for August 24.

[Incident at Newport — Billboard’s “Nashville” beat (7-11-60)

Newport Jazz Festival was musically successful but hectic for local musicians who had little to do with which way they were going when they met a milling mob of thousands head-on. Group, including Floyd Cramer, Brenton Banks, Buddy Harman, Bob Moore, Boots Randolph, Gary Burton and Hank Garland, was going one way when they met the mobbing crowd going the other. The Nashvillians joined the crowd and helplessly went along with them. They finally managed to identify themselves, however, and recorded with RCA Victor’s Chet Atlkins before leaving for home.]

“That day, Hank Garland realized his dream when he recorded the album that became Jazz Winds From a New Direction. Burton was along for the auspicious occasion. So were two established New York jazzmen: bassist Joe Benjamin and Hank’s old [Paul Howard & His Arkansas] Cotton Pickers buddy Joe Morello, now well-known as drummer with the Dave Brubeck Quartet. Though listed as producer, Don Law held the title in name only. Grady Martin, Hank’s friend and friend session partner, actually ran things in the studio.”

Bear Family’s 1989 CD reissue, by the way, includes “Panhandle Rag” as a bonus track. More recently, Tennessee Firebird was issued in 2014 on CD in Japan.

Five Years Ago: Gary Burton & Hank Garland featured prominently in Zero to 180’s piece from March 2016, “Lost Album of ’60“

History Bonus!

“Presenting Gary Burton” by Ted Williams — Record World — Apr. 24, 1965

“Countrypolitan” – 1st Sightings

Posted on February 28, 2021 by Zeroto180

Paul Hemphill‘s The Nashville Sound: Bright Lights and Country Music — published in 1970 during a particularly vibrant musical era — includes this passage about the pushback against attempts to de-emphasize country’s less “polished” elements in order to increase the music’s appeal in the (more lucrative) “pop” marketplace:

It isn’t really liberalism, of course, that has brought about the recent changes in what used to be country music. Call it free enterprise. Hell, call it money. Galloping capitalism overcame country music during the Sixties, and many examples have already been given (See Singleton, Shelby S. and Owens, Alvis Edgar “Buck”). Good old country boys just flat got tired of watching Eddy Arnold and Dean Martin and Jimmy Dean and Patti Page fancying up country songs and making big money doing it, so they started doing the same thing and demanding their writers give them songs that weren’t so country — “so damned nasal, whiny and scratchy and corny,” said Jack Stapp [of Big Tree Publishing] — and then they started angling for their own network television shows.

And pop stars started going to Nashville to record. And the Nashville sidemen started getting the hang of this pseudo-country music. And the younger guys in Nashville started talking dirty about anybody who still turned out hard-country songs. And business was so good that the music industry was worth almost $100 million a year to Nashville. And somebody started calling it “Countrypolitan” music. And the nation decided that “The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,” rather than the Grand Ole Opry, was the real mirror of country music. And then the people in Nashville started becoming very concerned about their image. We got to get out of this firetrap, they said about the Grand Ole Opry House; which is roughly equivalent to demolishing the Tower of Pisa because it leans funny. Don’t say the fans ride in on buses, Opry management admonished the press, they own their own cars and they average making $10,000 a year.

Maybe country music started in places like Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, but now they don’t want to admit the place exists. Image.

Earliest commercial release that includes the term “countrypolitan“:

1967 Warner Bros. LP

The Countrypolitan Sound of Hank Thompson’s Brazos Valley Boys

Nashville’s Crystal Corporation (previously celebrated here and here) issued this undated “countrypolitan” hits collection that was probably released — based on the catalog number, as well as release dates of the tracks within — in 1969:

Two of the least “countrypolitan” instruments — fiddle and banjo

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Countrypolitan-Hits-22-original-tracks-LP.jpg

This 1971 compilation with the striking cover photo includes a dozen lesser-known songs (1966’s “Pablo Diablo” by Dick Hammonds the only one available in streaming audio).

The big city

The dictionary definition on the rear cover of this album performs a valuable public service:

Countrypolitan (adj.) = Belonging to all the world; not confined to local enjoyment; at home in any country. And so it goes with country music today. It is no longer provincial in scope, nor limited to a particular region.

This educational audio clip helps flesh out the concept in a down-home digital way:

A simple “countrypolitan” search of the Discogs database — a mere 39 items, as of February, 2021 — reveals the sad fact that this term never caught on with the public. An analysis of the music trade literature further supports this view. A “countrypolitan” scan of Billboard‘s back issues, for instance, yields only 49 “hits” (likewise, 19 for Cash Box and 18 for Record World), although a few items reveal some key historical details:

Birmingham, Alabama’s WYDE celebrated its third anniversary as a countrypolitan radio station with broad community support, reported Cash Box in its December 21, 1968 edition, as “260 business, civic and governmental leaders” turned out for the event.

Four months earlier, WIKI in Chester, Virginia (outside of Richmond) had changed its format from Top 40 to Countrypolitan, as noted in Cash Box‘s August 31, 1968 issue. How come? “WIKI is making the switch because listener surveys, personal interviews and response to the station’s present two and one-half hours daily country programming have indicated an overwhelming preference for C&W music.”

Orlando’s WHOO 990 AM went “Countrypolitan” in 1968, says the Ken Burns Team. Zero to 180’s own fact-finding team has even pinned down the launch date, thanks to Billboard, who took photos of some of the 250 clients, agency executives, city officials, record company personnel, and country music artists — including Skeeter Davis and Willie Nelson — who joined Orlando’s 50,000-watt station in celebration of the new music format for Saturday night’s “Shower of Stars” on August 10, 1968.

That same year at the National Association of Recording Merchandisers annual convention, Starday promoted its latest releases as the “Starday Countrypolitan Hot Line” [while generously dispensing gift baskets that consisted of “a pouch of stereo flavored Country Cream tobacco raised at Starday’s Five Coves Farm, corncob pipes, and a bottle of Jack Daniels Sippin’ Whiskey”], as reported in Cash Box‘s April 20, 1968 edition. One month prior, Starday’s Don Pierce had told both Cash Box (per the March 9, 1968 issue) and Record World (per the March 9, 1968 issue) that the label will be focusing efforts on the growing “modern Countrypolitan Nashville sound.”

A year earlier, Cash Box had noted in its October 28, 1967 “Country Roundup” column that “the need to change the name of country music has already been recognized by a great many individuals in the business, particularly those in radio — the area which is perhaps closest in recognizing public tastes.” Furthermore, “phrases such as ‘Countrypolitan Music’ and [thanks to DC television host, Connie B. Gay] ‘Town & Country Music’ have been springing up with more and more regularity, pointing the way to more modern identification of this particular field.”

1967 would also bear witness to Memphis’s “Chet Atkins Festival of Music” — hosted by ‘The Countrypolitan Gentlemen’ at radio’s WMQM — with live musical entertainment provided by Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, and Mr. Guitar himself, Cash Box reported in its May 13, 1967 issue.

One of the earlier references to country music’s commercially-oriented “uptown” strain appeared in this news item from Cash Box‘s January 8, 1966 issue:

New York Building Strong C&W Audience

NEW YORK — Yes, Virginia there is country music in New York, and from all early indications, it’s here to stay for quite a while.
Continuing in the successful trend that began a short while back, WJRZ-Newark defied the time-honored theory that sophisticated urbanites, securely entrenched in the concrete-and-steel homestead of New York, automatically rejected the nasal, twangy hillbilly sound as inferior musical product. On Sept. 15, contrary to the odds, the New Jersey station took a gamble and switched to country programming. Aiming at the toughest and largest of urban bastions, the station presented a dignified, “countrypolitan” format that shattered the association of country music with corncob pipes and Hatfield-McCoy-type characterizations. The response that followed was far beyond the station’s expectations. Flooded switch-boards and overworked mailroom personnel became the order of the day at the outlet.”

One year later, WJRZ made the news again in Cash Box‘s January 7, 1967 issue when the station’s “Avenue of Tears” countrypolitan show host, Bob Lockwood, appeared on The Joe Franklin Show (one of television’s longest-running programs).

This ad from the May 12, 1969 issue of Broadcasting spells out the demographics of the Grand Rapids-area countrypolitan listening audience — note the ways in which the messaging drives home the “counterintuitive” notion that country music fans can be young, urban, and flush with spending money. WJEF’s similar-themed ad from the previous year shows a family with three children unloading picnic supplies from a station wagon (while the ad from the year prior shows a young couple who are said to be, in the parlance of the times, “turned-on“).

Cincinnati’s WUBE – noted Record World in their September 30, 1969 issue – took the big countrypolitan plunge, making it the city’s only 24-hour country music station.

“Stringer Clamps Down on the Use of Countrypolitan” screamed the title in Billboard‘s September 6, 1969 edition — a report on Lou Stringer’s cease-and-desist order to radio stations.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Stringer-Clamps-Down-on-Use-of-Countrypolitan-Billboard-9-6-69-.jpg

This likely explains why the term is under-represented in the music history in favor of similar verbiage, such as “modern country” and “the Nashville Sound.” Stringer claims to have copyrighted “countrypolitan” in 1966, says Billboard, who pointedly assert that radio station owner, Country Music Association director and philanthropist, Connie B. Gay “has owned the copyright to the name ‘Town and Country,’ but has allowed widespread use of the same.” Stringer is also the publisher behind “tabloid” newsletter/radio tip sheet, The Countrypolitan, whose launch was noted in Billboard‘s April 22, 1967 issue.

Earliest Appearance of the Term “Countrypolitan”?

Billboard ad – November 2, 1963

NoNope — need to go back at least ten years:

Broadcasting ad – January 19, 1953

[This ad can be seen as early as November 1952]

* * * * *

The Journal of Country Music, an organ of the Country Music Foundation (published from 1971 through 2007), produced a special report in 1989 entitled “The Unseen Hand: How Producers Shape the Country Sound” that includes a few paragraphs about Chet Atkins‘ critical role in edging country music toward a more tuneful, pop path:

A rising class of session players was there to give the producers the sound, which was based on the relaxed jamming Atkins and friends had developed improvising together at the Carousel Club in Printer’s Alley. The traditional country elements came from the basic instrumentation—fretted instruments, plus piano most of the time and also the drums that had been commonplace since the emergence of western swing and honky-tonk. The beat was softer, looser—if rockabilly was to take over as rural dance music, country would become primarily listening music, even easy listening music, radio music. The new elements included violin sections and vocal choruses that owed more to pop music, along with some echo (a technique learned from rockabilly) on the lead voice.
In fact, everything was meant to emphasize that vocal; where “hot picking” had once been a virtue in a country band, now the musicians, except for the occasional soloist, were there primarily to provide what could be termed a “cushion” on which the producer could rest the lead voice. In the studio, those jazzy jams were formalized and compressed into two-and three-minute songs.
For guitarist Atkins, a self-styled “country gentleman” with a taste for classical music, and pianist [Owen] Bradley, a society bandleader, this sound was a natural enough step in the evolution of the music. In interviews, Atkins has always claimed he became a producer/A&R man more by accident than by design, but that explanation sounds awfully ingenuous when you listen to the first record he cut, Don Gibson’s “Oh Lonesome Me” b/w “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” done only days after Chet took over at RCA. These two sides sound little like Gibson’s prior work; especially in their use of violins, they clearly didn’t come out of nowhere, either. They are the product of much thinking and experimenting—much conceptualizing, if you will.
In general, Atkins created the fatter sound of his records by using more instrumentation, his biggest successes coming with Jim Reeves and Eddy Arnold. Bradley favored more voices to get a similarly lush effect, peaking with the torchy Patsy Cline. But Bradley was also the first to insist that the Nashville Sound wasn’t really a sound so much as a way of doing things. However formalized the final result may have been, the musician and producer usually reached it through trial and error, working out their parts in the studio with the use of a notation system that required numbers instead of notes because few of them read music. Since this all had to be done quickly to keep studio costs down, and because artists were on the road so much of the time (that’s where the real money was), a very small group of men who working together efficiently would up cutting most sessions.
Thus, the producer system marked the beginning of assembly-line music in Nashville; it also created the need for professional songwriters (country artists, being folk-based, had until then usually taken material for traditional sources or written their own along with the professional sideman. As this system evolved even further (thanks mainly to overdubbing), the artist became increasingly but one cog—the voice—in his own record; in the most extreme cases, he was even presented with a finished track of a song he’d never heard before, his or her job being simply to add the vocal to the other elements already assembled by the producer.
The sound peaked with Billy Sherrill of Columbia/Epic. Sherrill made his first big splash with David Houston singing “Almost Persuaded” in 1966, but he’s most identified with Tammy Wynette hits like “Stand By Your Man” and “D-I-V-O-R-C-E” in the late sixties, as well as seventies sides by George Jones and the duets George and Tammy sang together.

Featured song:

“Blues Stay Away From Me” by The Willis Brothers

Written by Alton Delmore, Rabon Delmore, Henry Glover & Wayne Raney

.Included on Best of The Willis Brothers although never issued as a single release

Essay: Extra Credit

“Modern Country Radio — Friend or Foe?” by Paul W. Soelberg

Billboard — October 17, 1970

King Records — In a Nutshell

Posted on January 31, 2021 by Zeroto180

What a revelation to find out that World Radio History‘s website not only allows access to a comprehension collection of music trade publications, including Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World, but also the ability to search all back issues simultaneously! What’s especially helpful is how the search results often show each magazine page rendered in miniature, while the search terms are shown in relation to the other text on the page, thus allowing you to see more readily which articles are actually germane to your search (and not simply “noise”).

This new reckoning of World Radio History’s vast holdings, consequently, impelled me to pull together a comprehensive bibliography of periodical literature that documents King Records during its years of operation – within the context of Cincinnati’s own substantial popular music and media (radio & TV) history – as well as the impact of King’s legacy in the decades following Syd Nathan’s passing in 1968. Utilizing journal and newspaper clippings from my own files, as well as bibliographic references from Steven C. Tracy‘s Going to Cincinnati (1993), Jon Hartley Fox‘s King of the Queen City (2009), and David Bottoms‘ sweeping Stacks of Wax – The Complete Story of the Record Labels of Cincinnati, Ohio (2020), not to mention information gathered on field trips to the Library of Congress’ Recorded Sound Research Center (plus a trial subscription to Newspapers.com, and even gleanings from an early incarnation of this website), I have been able to encapsulate the King story through 75 years or so of news and journal literature.

Just from reading the titles of the articles and summary notes cited below, one can take in the magnitude of the King musical legacy — a remarkable span of commercial success for an independent operation that restlessly sought to exploit areas of the marketplace that were insufficiently served by the major labels. This detailed bibliography of over 1,000 items — many in full text — will be updated over time and is a public service of Zero to 180:

King Records & Cincinnati Music History in the Periodical Literature

Updated: April 4, 2021

1935-1945

Radio ‘Station Notes’ = WLW adds five staff engineers, including Earl Herzog – Billboard – Mar. 14, 1936
Half-page ad = ‘WLW’s Boone County Jamboree Brings Harvest Time to Your Box Office’ (“Thar’s gold in them thar hill-billies!”) – Billboard – Apr. 8, 1939
Full-page ad = Boone County Jamboree – ‘watch your box-office receipts go up’ – Billboard – May 27, 1939
“Third Largest Attendance Out at Dayton, O., Annual” = “popularity of Boone County Jamboree was attested by Wednesday night’s attendance, the largest in history” – Billboard – Sep. 16, 1939
Large ad = “And Success in the New Year from WLW Artists” – Billboard – Dec. 30, 1939
“Real Estate Transfers” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Jan. 13, 1940
Boone County Jamboree & Lulu Belle and Scotty referenced in “Case for Hillbillies” – Billboard – Apr. 13, 1940
Review = “Boone County Jamboree of 1941” [this latest edition “has gone sophisticated, gradually getting away from the fiddling and guitar type of hokum and hoe-down dancing”] – Billboard – Nov. 9, 1940
Ad = Boone County Jamboree ‘played to 111,200 people at 39 fairs’ in 1940 – Billboard – Nov. 9, 1940
“Renfro Valley [Barn Dance] Dropped by WLW” = “WLW severs all connections with the Renfro Valley Barn Dance, rural show managed by John Lair, which started on this station several years ago” – Billboard – Apr. 19, 1941
“WLW [Boone County] Jamboree Sets Record in Dayton, O” – Billboard – May 10, 1941
‘[Boone County] Jamboree Tops Own Record at Opening‘ @ Bartholomew County Fair, Columbus IN – Billboard – July 29, 1941
News = Bill McCluskey of WLW Promotions observes that “the reason for box-office click [strong revenues] is fact that fairgoers want to see [Boone County Jamboree] performers in person after hearing them on the air” – Billboard – Aug. 23, 1941
Ad = Boone County Jamboree – “169,406 people, an all-time record, 63 bookings in 7 states” (1941 fair season) – Billboard – November 29, 1941
News = Boone County Jamboree at Huron County Fair (Norwalk, Ohio) “broke the grandstand attendance record on one night” – Billboard – Dec. 6, 1941
Full-page ad = Boone County Jamboree – “Bigger and Better! As the Years Roll By” – Billboard – Jan. 17, 1942

“SRO [Standing Room Only] an hour before the show!”

“Two Workmen Are Injured In Evanston Tank Explosion” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Feb. 11, 1942
Ad = WLW Boone County Jamboree + WLW Stars on Parade – “Assure the Success of Your Fair” – Billboard – Jan. 17, 1942
PHOTO = Booth at Johnson County Fair to sell War Bonds & Stamps erected by WLW Promotions, operator of Boone County Jamboree & Stars on Parade – Billboard – July 25, 1942
PHOTO = Texas Ruby of Boone County Jamboree selling War Bonds & Stamps at a booth erected by WLW Promotions, operator of Boone County Jamboree & Stars on Parade – Billboard – Aug. 1, 1942
News = Boone County Jamboree appearance at Toledo Opera Theater was the ‘first profit the theater has seen in five years’ – Billboard – Sep. 19, 1942
Review = Boone County Jamboree at Cincinnati’s Emery Auditorium (with “comedy angle” provided by Merle Travis) – Billboard – Mar. 20, 1943
‘WLW Billies [Boone County Jamboree] $8,995 Three Days in Columbus‘ – Billboard – May 8, 1943
‘WLW [Boone County] Jambo Sock $14,307 in Dayton‘ – Billboard – May 15, 1943
“WLW’s [Boone County] Jamboree, Stars Jaunts Get Under Way in Ind.” – Billboard – July 17, 1943
PHOTO = Lyric Theater (Indianapolis) – ‘They Stand in Block-Long Lines for the Boone County Jamboree‘ – Billboard – 1943 Yearbook
WLW Promotions ad = “Year After Year – Still Packing ‘em In!” [“Paced by America’s No. 1 Rural Radio Show … Boone County Jamboree … WLW’s personalities continue to establish new box office records wherever they appear”] – Billboard – May 27, 1944
WLW’s Boone County Jamboree referenced in “Mountain Music Moves Into Manhattan With Barn Dance” – Billboard – July 22, 1944
“Phonograph Records to Be Made Here” – Cincinnati Times Star – Nov. 1, 1944
“Company is Formed; To Make Recordings; Located in Evanston” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 12, 1944
“Deals Include Store Units, Parcel for Sears Expansion” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Dec. 13, 1944
WLW Promotions ad = Boone County Jamboree – ‘Still Best in the Middle West” – Billboard – 1944 Yearbook

Hank Penny’s Plantation Boys, featuring Roy Lanham (2nd from right below)

‘Midwestern Hayride’ ad = “Boin-n-ng! WLW shows are ringing the bell at county fairs throughout the WLW area” – Billboard – July 28, 1945
News = “Midwestern Hayride of WLW, Cincinnati, is playing many Ohio and Indiana fairs, attracting record crowds” – Billboard – Sep. 8, 1945

1946

“Cinci’s Mayor at Dixon’s Aireon [Electronic Phonograph] Show” – Cash Box – Mar. 25, 1946
Ad = DeLuxe Records presents Denver Darling – Record Retailing – April 1946
“Cincy Recording Firm Bows” = E.T. Herzog Recording Company – Billboard – June 8, 1946
“Ohio State to Bow with [Bill McCluskey’s] WLW Hayride” – Billboard – July 20, 1946
Reviews = Carlisle Bros & Jimmy Widener (King) + Deacon Lem Johnson (Queen) – Cash Box – Aug. 12, 1946
Reviews = ‘Missouri’ – Hank Penny (King) + ‘Lost Her Re-Bop’ – Annisteen Allen (Queen) – Cash Box – Aug. 12, 1946
Review = ‘Dream Train Engineer’ – Leon Rusk (King) – Cash Box – Sep. 23, 1946
NOTE = King & Queen ad with offensive racial stereotypes – Cash Box – Oct. 7, 1946
“Two Corporations Replace King Record Company” – Cincinnati Post – Oct. 8, 1946
“Strummin’ Geetar Is Music to Millions” by JF Cronin – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 27, 1946

1947

“Sidney“ Nathan – ‘Hillbilly Is Our Business‘ (Coin Machine Industries Convention issue) – Cash Box – Jan. 27, 1947

“Record Manufacturers Meet to Form Trade Association [suggested by Syd Nathan]” – Cash Box – Mar. 3, 1947
“WLW – a pioneer” as noted in “Air, Outdoor Give and Take” [“WLW, Cincinnati, has had an attraction working fairs and outdoor celebrations since 1938” – the first being John Lair’s Refro Valley Folks] – Billboard – Mar. 29, 1947
“King Records Sets Distribution Plans” – Cash Box – April 14, 1947
News = “E. T. Herzog Recording Company, whose label is Radio Artist Records, sent its cutting of ‘Missouri Waltz’ by Dolly Good to President Truman in observation of his birthday” – Billboard – May 17, 1947
‘Roly Poly’ by Denver Darling – Bullseye of the Week + ‘Johnson County Blues’ by JE Mainer & His Mountaineers – Cash Box – May 19, 1947
“King Signs Two” [Shelton Brothers & Light Crust Doughboys] – Billboard – June 21, 1947
‘Jole Blon’s Sister’ by Moon Mullican – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – June 30, 1947

Cash Box ad — July 21, 1947

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Review = ‘Do You Ever Worry’ by Boots Woodall & Radio Wranglers – Cash Box – Aug. 4, 1947
Ad = “King Proudly Presents Cowboy Copas – Exclusive King Artist” – Cash Box – Sep. 1, 1947

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“King Adds Branch Offices in NYC, Chicago & Charlotte” – Cash Box – Sep. 8, 1947
News = Bob Sherman appointed recording director for King Records – Cash Box – Sep. 15, 1947
Syd Nathan: “Music Machine [jukebox] Operators Are Essential Cog in Disc Operation” – Cash Box – Sep. 22, 1947

‘Call Me Darling Once Again’ by Grandpa Jones – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 22, 1947
Syd Nathan quoted in article about ‘hillbilly’ music’s growing popularity – “How Ya Gonna Keep ’em Down on the Farm?“– Cash Box – Oct. 27, 1947
“King Records Pacts Wynonie Harris” – Cash Box – Dec. 6, 1947
‘Jamboree’ by Cowboy Copas – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 20, 1947
Reviews = ‘SF Blues’ by Ivory Joe Hunter + ‘Gold Mine in the Sky’ by Lord Essex – Cash Box – Dec. 20, 1947
“King Records Sign Folk Artist Team” [Curly Fox & Texas Ruby] – Cash Box – Dec. 27, 1947
King ad = ‘sepia’ & ‘hillbilly’ – Cash Box – Dec. 27, 1947
‘Good Rocking Tonight’ by Roy Brown = #2 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Dec. 27, 1947
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson = #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – Dec. 27, 1947
‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ by Cowboy Copas – #1 hillbilly folk & western juke box tune – Cash Box – Dec. 27, 1947

Jukebox operators: . key vinyl market

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1948

News = 300 stations request copy of a Christmas greeting from Grandpa Jones, Delmore Bros, Cowboy Copas, Lightcrust Doughboys, Hank Penny, Bill Carlisle & the York Bros – Cash Box – Jan. 10, 1948
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson = #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – Jan. 10, 1948
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson = #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Jan. 10, 1948
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson = #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – Feb. 7, 1948
‘Waltz of the Wind’ by Clyde Moody – Bullseye of the Week + ‘Signed, Sealed & Delivered’ by Cowboy Copas – #2 folk-hillbilly hit – Cash Box – Feb. 14, 1948
News = Hank Penny makes TV debut as MC for WLWT’s ‘Musical Ponies’ + King publishes song folios for Grandpa Jones & Cowboy Copas – Billboard – Feb. 21, 1948
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Feb. 21, 1948
‘Signed Sealed Delivered’ by Cowboy Copas – #1 folk-hillbilly jukebox hit – Cash Box – Feb. 21, 1948

Billboard ad – Feb. 28, 1948

Radio Artists Records – affiliated with E.T. Herzog Studios

“King Records to Extend Distribution Lines; Annual Stockholder’s Meet Points to Banner Year” – Cash Box – Feb. 28, 1948
“King Expands to 14 Distributors – Banner Year” – Cash Box – Feb. 28, 1948
“King Diskery Adds Eight Distribution Arms – Sid Nathan Elected Prexy‘ – Billboard – Feb. 28, 1948
Ad = ‘All My Love Belongs to You’ by Bull Moose Jackson – Cash Box – Mar. 6, 1948
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – Mar. 6, 1948
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Mar. 6, 1948
‘Phil Grogan Joins King to Expand Juke Box & Radio Effort’ – Cash Box – Mar. 13, 1948
News = Hank Penny makes TV debut on WLWT – Cash Box – Mar. 13, 1948
‘I Love You Yes I Do’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 on LA’s Central Ave – Cash Box – Mar. 20, 1948
‘All My Love Belongs to You’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 on Chicago’s South Side – Cash Box – Mar. 27, 1948
“King Adds 3 New Distributors – DC, Detroit & Atlanta” – Cash Box – Mar. 27, 1948
Review = ‘Good Rocking Tonight‘ by Wynonie Harris + ‘Whose Hat’ by Roy Brown – Cash Box – Apr. 3, 1948

‘All My Love Belongs to You’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – Apr. 10, 1948
Front-page story about Harry Carlson of Fraternity Records – Cincinnati Times-Star – Apr. 10, 1948
News = WCKY’s Nelson King cuts ‘Deck of Cards’ for King – strong early sales – Billboard – Apr. 17, 1948
‘Good Rocking Tonight’ by Wynonie Harris – #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – May 8, 1948
“King Records Pact Folk Singer Jimmie Osborne” – Cash Box – June 12, 1948
“King’s Solid Disk Sales” – Cincinnati label establishing itself as both hillbilly and “race diskery” – Billboard – June 19, 1948
‘Tennessee Moon’ by Cowboy Copas – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – July 3, 1948
‘Tomorrow Night’ by Lonnie Johnson – #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – July 17, 1948
“King Offers [Jukebox] Operators 5% Return – Only Given Dealers in Past” – Billboard – Jul. 17, 1948
‘King Records Gives Music Ops 5% Return Privilege + Buys Ravens & Gant Masters [Also – “Petrillo Rejects Peace Plan”] – Cash Box – July 24, 1948
‘Sweeter Than the Flowers’ by Moon Mullican – #3 folk-hillbilly jukebox hit – Cash Box – Aug. 7, 1948
‘Can’t Go On Without You’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – Aug. 14, 1948
“[Cowboy Copas] Inks Pact with King, WSM” – Billboard – Aug. 21, 1948
‘Don’t Fall in Love with Me’ – #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Aug. 28, 1948
“King to Distribute Other Labels” + “King to Allow 100% Returns on Folk Disks” – Billboard – Sep. 11, 1948
‘Can’t Go On Without You’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Sep. 11, 1948
Reviews = ‘Stardust’ by Lord Nelson & ‘Hogan’s Alley’ by Cecil Gant – Cash Box – Sep. 18, 1948
‘What My Eyes See’ by Moon Mullican – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 25, 1948
“King Enters Pop Field” – Record Retailing – October 1948
“King Adds New Branch in Philadelphia” – Record Retailing – November 1948
Full-page King/DeLuxe Christmas-themed ad – Record Retailing – November 1948
“King Diskery Sets Distribution for Canada” – Billboard – Nov. 13, 1948

Billboard ad — Nov. 27, 1948

‘Sweeter Than the Flowers’ by Moon Mullican – #2 folk-hillbilly jukebox hit – Cash Box – Nov. 27, 1948
‘DeLuxe Sets Up West Coast Office’ + ‘King Signs Wayne Raney of XERF’ – Cash Box – Dec. 25, 1948

Four of the Top 10 R&B Crescent City jukebox hits for Apr. 24, 1948: . King Records

1949

“Record Companies Sign Agreement with Petrillo” – Record Retailing – January 1949
“King Records See Bright Future in Disk Biz with Ban at End” – Cash Box – Jan. 1, 1949
King ad = Thank you for 1948’s many hits! – Cash Box – Jan. 22, 1949
“King Eyes Race Biz; Inks (Earl) Bostic, (Todd) Rhodes” – Billboard – Jan. 22, 1949
Acuff-Rose/King ad for Cowboy Copas release “An Old Farm for Sale” – Billboard – Jan. 29, 1949
“Juke Box Operator’s $6 Debt Makes Hillbilly Hits” by Jack Ramey – Cincinnati Enquirer – Feb. 6, 1949
News = King has ‘pacted’ The Satisfiers, Louise Carlyle & Geo Hudson Orch + Syd Nathan & Henry Glover ‘cutting’ Ivory Joe Hunter, Marian Abernathy & the Jubilaires – Billboard – Feb. 26, 1949
“King Records Bow into Pop Platter Field” – Cash Box – Feb. 26, 1949
“King Enters Pop Field” – Dewey Bergman & Henry Glover – Record Retailing – March 1949
Street addresses for all 20 King distributors – Record Retailing – March 1949
‘Feel That Old Age Coming On’ by Wynonie Harris – Race Disk of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 5, 1949
‘I Know What It Means to Be Lonesome’ by Clyde Moody – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 12, 1949
“Record Firm Here Smashes Jim Crow; Workers’ Positions, Pay Keyed to Ability” – Jerry Ransohoff – Cincinnati Post – Mar. 21, 1949
‘Rocking at Midnight’ by Roy Brown = #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Mar. 26, 1949
News = Syd Nathan’s West Coast jaunt includes visit with Four Star’s Bill McCall + Roy Brown’s ‘Rockin’ at Midnight’ (produced by Al Sherman) doing well – Cash Box – Apr. 2, 1949
“King Records Announce Disk Price Policy” – Cash Box – Apr. 30, 1949
“King Adds 11 New Branches [Birmingham, Memphis, Kansas City, Denver, Minneapolis, Buffalo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston WV]” – Record Retailing – May 1949
Al Grant & Louise Carlyle = King’s two promising pop vocalists – Record Retailing – May 1949

Editorial: “The Record Business – No Place for Prejudice” – Record Retailing – May 1949
Full-page King-DeLuxe ‘hillbilly’ & ‘sepia’ ad – Record Retailing – May 1949
“Country Music Enjoys Greatest Popularity” – Paul Cohen, Decca Records – Record Retailing – May 1949
“New Look for 3 R’s: Record Retailing by Radio” — Nelson King of Cinti’s WCKY – Record Retailing – May 1949
“[King] Disk Fund to Kid Hospital” [‘Death of Kathy Fiscus’ by Jimmy Osbourne] – Billboard – May 21, 1949
‘Over the Hill’ by Clyde Moody – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – May 21, 1949
Review = “Jean” b/w “Get Lost” by The Jubalaires – Billboard – May 28, 1949
“King Records Pact Harry Prime & Lucas Ork” – Cash Box – May 28, 1949
“Crosley Radio-TV Sales Up” – Record Retailing – June 1949
“King Hits New High” – 800,000 monthly sales – Record Retailing – June 1949
“King Signs Johnny Long & Vincent Lopez” – Record Retailing – June 1949
‘Wrong to Love You Like I Do’ by Cowboy Copas – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – June 4, 1949
“King Records Hypo Folk Festival in [Blackstone] VA” – Cash Box – June 18, 1949
‘Little Girl Don’t Cry’ by Bull Moose Jackson #1 in LA + ‘Waiting in Vain’ by Ivory Joe #2 in Chicago – Cash Box – June 25, 1949
‘Little Girl Don’t Cry’ by Bull Moose Jackson #1 in LA + ‘Waiting in Vain’ by Ivory Joe #2 in New Orleans – Cash Box – July 2, 1949
‘The Longer We’re Together’ by Hawkshaw Hawkins – Bullseye of the Week + Paul Howard & Ark Cotton Pickers – Cash Box – July 9, 1949
‘Little Girl Don’t Cry’ by Bull Moose Jackson – #1 on Chicago’s South Side – Cash Box – July 16, 1949
“Crosley Announces Portable TV” – Record Retailing –August 1949
“DeLuxe & Day [Miltone, Sacred & Foto labels] Master Exchange” – Record Retailing –August 1949
Review = ‘Blues Stay Away From Me’ by Delmore Brothers – Cash Box – Aug. 13, 1949
Review = “This Day Is Mine” b/w “St. Louis Lou” by The Jubalaires – Billboard – Aug. 13, 1949
‘Package Tied in Blue’ by Johnny Rion – Bullseye of the Week + Texas Ruby & Curly Fox + Cope Brothers 78s – Cash Box – Aug. 27, 1949
“King and DeLuxe Split Confirmed by Syd Nathan” – Billboard – Sep. 3, 1949
‘Why Don’t You Haul Off and Love Me’ by Wayne Raney – #2 folk-hillbilly hit – Cash Box – Oct. 8, 1949
‘Love Sick Blues’ by Hank Williams (#1) + ‘Haul Off’ by Wayne Raney (#2) – Cash Box – Oct. 15, 1949
“Henry Stone Opens New Distribution Firm [in Miami]” – Cash Box – Oct. 22, 1949
‘My Bucket’s Got a Hole In It’ by Hank Williams – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Nov. 12, 1949
‘Guess Who’ by Ivory Joe Hunter – #1 in New Orleans – Cash Box – Nov. 12, 1949
‘Love Sick Blues’ by Hank Williams (#1) + ‘Haul Off’ by Wayne Raney (#2) – Cash Box – Nov. 12, 1949
News = WCKY’s Nelson King (top national DJ) named A&R advisor-producer for King – Billboard – Nov. 19, 1949
Full-page ad = ‘Midwestern Hayride’ & ‘WLW on Parade’ – What Listeners Want at 1950 Fairs [photos of Kenny Roberts, Ann Ryan, Pleasant Valley Boys, Bob Shreve & Louis Innis, et al]– Billboard – Nov. 26, 1949
‘Love Sick Blues’ – 1949’s Hillbilly Record of the Year = Jukebox Operators of America Poll Winners – Cash Box – Dec. 3, 1949
‘Why Don’t You Haul Off and Love Me’ by Wayne Raney (#2) + ‘Blues Stay Away’ by Delmore Bros (#3) hillbilly-folk jukebox hits – Cash Box – Dec. 10, 1949
Reviews = Johnny Rion (King) + Rex Allen with Jerry Byrd & the String Dusters recorded at Herzog Studios (Mercury) – Cash Box – Dec. 17, 1949

All three Hank Williams songs (below) recorded at E.T. Herzog Studios — Cincinnati

Ad = ‘Thanks from Hank’ – ‘Love Sick Blues‘ 1949’s #1 hillbilly record – Cash Box – Dec. 24, 1949
“Nathan-Braun DeLuxe Fuss Erupts in Court Litigation” – Billboard – Dec. 31, 1949
‘Why Don’t You Haul Off and Love Me’ by Wayne Raney + ‘Blues Stay Away’ by Delmore Bros + ‘My Bucket’s Got a Hole In It’ by Hank Williams = Top 5 folk-hillbilly hits – Cash Box – Dec. 31, 1949

1950

“The Man Who Is King [Syd Nathan]” – Saga – January, 1950

[Note: According to Jon Hartley Fox, this article presents information on Syd Nathan “that formed a basis for subsequent discussions of him in print”]

‘Blues Stay Away From Me’ by Delmore Bros – (still) #3 folk-hillbilly jukebox hit – Cash Box – Jan. 7, 1950
“Paul Cohen Named Sales Manager Decca’s Country-Sepia Department” – Cash Box – Jan. 7, 1950
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’ by Delmore Bros – #2 folk-hillbilly jukebox hit – Cash Box – Jan. 14, 1950
‘I Love You Because’ by Clyde Moody – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Jan. 14, 1950
‘Blues Stay Away From Me’ by Delmore Bros – #2 folk-hillbilly jukebox hit – Cash Box – Jan. 28, 1950
‘I Love My Baby’s Pudding’ by Wynonie Harris – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Feb. 18, 1950
“King Now Operating 33 Factory Owned Branches” – Cash Box – Feb. 18, 1950
“King Records Spikes Rumors on Chi(cago) Branch Closing” – Cash Box – Feb. 25 1950
“King Records Spike False Rumors About Closing Branches” – Record Retailing – March 1950
Syd Nathan quoted in “Record Industry Hails Music Operators of America Meet as Smash Success” – Cash Box – Mar. 15, 1950
‘A Fool in Love’ by Bull Moose Jackson – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 25, 1950
“King Set For Big Promotion in Pop Field” – Cash Box – Apr. 8, 1950
“King Revamps; Back in Pops” – Billboard – Apr. 8, 1950
“King Adds Shorty Long, Mabel Scott & Wild Bill Moore to Roster” – Cash Box – Apr. 15, 1950
Syd Nathan on the run = LA sessions with Hank Penny; Moon Mullican sessions in Odessa, TX; Paul Howard session in Shreveport & Grandpa Jones-York Brothers sessions in Cincinnati – Cash Box – Apr. 22, 1950
“King Confusion” = Joe Thomas vs. Joe Thomas – Record Retailing – May 1950
‘Say You Were Wrong’ by Clyde Moody – Bullseye of the Week + ‘Al Dexter Signs King Wax Pact’ + Zeb Turner 78 – Cash Box – June 3, 1950
‘Southern Hospitality’ by Moon Mullican – Bullseye of the Week + Al Dexter & Hank Penny 78s – Cash Box – June 24, 1950
King signs Lucky Millinder to long-term pact + ad on facing page – Record Retailing –July 1950
‘Well Oh Well’ by Tiny Bradshaw – #1 on LA’s Central Ave – Cash Box – July 1, 1950
‘Good Morning Judge’ by Wynonie Harris – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – July 1, 1950
‘Hard Luck Blues’ by Roy Brown – #1 in LA – Cash Box – July 8, 1950

Cash Box — July 15, 1950

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Ad = “King Goes Direct to Writers for New Songs” – Billboard – July 22, 1950
Reviews = Zeb Turner & Redd Stewart (King) + Red Kirk with Jerry Byrd & String Dusters @ Herzog Studios (Mercury) – Cash Box – July 29, 1950
“King Told to Pull Moon Mullican Disk” – Billboard – July 29, 1950
‘Well Oh Well’ by Tiny Bradshaw – #1 in LA – Cash Box – Aug. 5, 1950
‘I’ll Sail My Ship Alone’ by Moon Mullican – #2 folk-hillbilly hit – Cash Box – Aug. 12, 1950
Review = ‘Hi De Ho Boogie’ by Al Dexter – Cash Box – Aug. 19, 1950
‘Well Oh Well’ by Tiny Bradshaw (#1) & ‘Hard Luck Blues by Roy Brown (#2) in Detroit – Cash Box – Aug. 19, 1950
‘I’ll Sail My Ship Alone’ by Moon Mullican – #2 folk-hillbilly hit – Cash Box – Sep. 9, 1950
‘Rock Mr Blues’ by Wynonie Harris – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 9, 1950
‘Want to Love You Baby’ by Wynonie Harris – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 14, 1950
“King Signs Margaret Phelan” – King’s first ‘name’ signing – Cash Box – Nov. 4, 1950
“King Sets New Tag – Federal” + “King Buys Miracle Masters”– Billboard – Nov. 4, 1950
“King Sets New Label – Federal” – Cash Box – Nov. 18, 1950
‘Breaking Up the House’ by Tiny Bradshaw – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 2, 1950
‘Teardrops From My Eyes’ by Hawkshaw Hawkins – Bullseye of the Week + Bob Newman, Moon Mullican & Al Dexter 78s – Cash Box – Dec. 9, 1950
Ad introducing King’s new Federal label, under the leadership of Ralph Bass – Cash Box – Dec. 16, 1950

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“Federal Releases 1st Record” – Ralph Bass with Billy Ward & Dominoes – Cash Box – Dec. 16, 1950 [BLOOPER = incorrect photo]
“Federal Releases 1st Record” – Ralph Bass with Billy Ward & Dominoes – Cash Box – Dec. 23, 1950

News = Ralph Bass – new A&R director of Federal – Cash Box – Dec. 23, 1950
“Brauns File DeLuxe Suit” – Billboard – Dec. 30, 1950

1951

News = Ralph Bass: off to a good start + reference to Saga‘s January 1950 Syd Nathan profile – Cash Box – Jan. 20, 1951
“King Signs Little Esther, Goes Into 45 Line” – Billboard – Jan. 20, 1951
‘Other Lips, Other Arms’ by Little Esther – Award o’ the Week’ – Cash Box – Mar. 3, 1951
‘Short But Sweet’ by Moon Mullican – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 3, 1951
“King, Federal Open in NY, Shift Staffers” – Billboard – Mar. 10, 1951
‘Chew Tobacco Rag‘ by Zeb Turner – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 10, 1951
‘Goodnight Cincinnati, Good Morning Tennessee’ by “Louie” Innes & String Dusters – Bullseye of the Week + King-Federal 78s – Cash Box – Mar. 17, 1951
“[Neal] Burris Inks Exclusive King Recording Pact” – Billboard – Mar. 17, 1951
“King Signs Hillbilly Star [Neal Burris]” – Cash Box – Mar. 17, 1951
Obituary = Charles F. Herzog – partner in the E.T. Herzog Recording Company – Billboard – Mar. 31, 1951
Reviews = Hank Penny & Grandpa Jones (King) + Tex Atchison (Federal) – Cash Box – Mar. 31, 1951
King staffers Howard Kessel, Jim Wilson, and Mary Lou Smith referenced in “More Notes for MOA Convention” – Cash Box – April 7, 1951
“King to Open New Distribution Centers (Butte, Knoxville & Columbia SC et al)” – Cash Box – May 12, 1951
“King Drives for Added Sales” – branch offices switched to sales – Cash Box – June 2, 1951
News = Syd Nathan & Ralph Bass sign Charles Maxwell & Preston Love after southern talent search – Billboard – June 2, 1951
‘I Got a Lot of Time For a Lot of Things’ by Zeb Turner – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – June 2, 1951
Reviews = Hank Penny (King) + Cowboy Jack Derrick (Federal) – Cash Box – June 16, 1951
Reviews = Bill Carlisle (Federal) + Louis Innes & String Dusters (Mercury) – Cash Box – June 30, 1951
News = Cowboy Copas has new baby son + Louis Innis now talent manager at WLW – Billboard – June 30, 1951
‘Cherokee Boogie’ by Moon Mullilcan – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – July 7, 1951
‘Sixty Minute Man’ by Dominoes – #1 in Harlem & New Orleans – Cash Box – July 7, 1951
‘Tennessee Flat Guitar’ by Cowboy Copas – Bullseye of the Week + Clyde Moody (King) – Cash Box – July 14, 1951
‘Sixty Minute Man’ by Dominoes – #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – July 21, 1951
‘Sixty Minute Man’ by Dominoes – #1 in Harlem & Chicago – Cash Box – Aug. 11, 1951
‘Tennessee Choo Choo’ by Delmore Bros – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 11, 1951
“[Elliott] Lawrence Gets Disking Mates [Cowboy Copas & Melvin Moore]” + two-year pact with King – Billboard – Aug. 11, 1951
News = Bull Moose Jackson to be known as ‘Moose’ Jackson at the behest of Syd Nathan – ‘Cherokee Boogie’ first release with new moniker – Billboard – Aug. 18, 1951
Lucky Millinder & Henry Glover gossip item – Philadelphia Inquirer – Aug. 24, 1951
‘Sixty Minute’ by Dominoes #1 in Dallas + ‘Sleep’ by Earl Bostic #1 in LA – Cash Box – Aug. 25, 1951
“King Places New Emphasis on Pop Field” – Cash Box – Sep. 1, 1951
“King Sings [Larry] Fotine” = staff arranger for Sammy Kaye – Billboard – Sep. 1, 1951
“Eli Oberstein Joins King As Head of Pop Division” – Cash Box – Sep. 8, 1951
“Eli Oberstein to Guide King Pop Disk Line” – Billboard – Sep. 8, 1951
‘Sixty Minute Man’ by Dominoes – #1 in Harlem – Cash Box – Sep. 15, 1951
“Oberstein Begins Major Talent Hunt for King” – Cash Box – Sep. 22, 1951
“King Plans to Cover All Hillbilly Hits” – Cash Box – Sep. 29, 1951
Eli Oberstein joins King to boost their pop division – Record Retailing – October 1951
Top Ten R&B Jukebox hits = ‘Sixty Minute Man’ (#1) + Lucky Millinder, Wynonie Harris & The Swallows – Billboard – Oct. 6, 1951
“Oberstein to [West] Coast on New Talent Hunt” – Billboard – Oct. 20, 1951
‘Flamingo’ by Earl Bostic – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 20, 1951
‘Heartless Lover’ by Moon Mullican – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 20, 1951
Reviews = Moon Mullican, Neal Burris & Zeb Turner King 78s – Cash Box – Oct. 27, 1951
“Ralph Bass Heads Coast Office for Federal – Signs Artists” – Cash Box – Dec. 1, 1951
“King Realigns Staff; Mobile Unit Set Up” – Billboard – Dec. 15, 1951
‘Lovin’ Machine’ by Wynonie Harris – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 15, 1951
Reviews = ‘It Ain’t the Meat’ – The Swallows (King) + ‘Crying Blues’ – Little Esther (Federal) – Cash Box – Dec. 15, 1951
Reviews = Bettie Clooney + Burnie Peacock Orchestra + Elliot Lawrence Orchestra King 78s – Cash Box – Dec. 29, 1951

A whopping four King and two Federal releases reviewed in the April 19, 1952 edition

1952

News from LA = Ralph Bass + Little Esther + ‘Prof Bald Head’ Byrd + Baby Shirley new item – Cash Box – Jan. 5, 1952
“King Goes All Out on Promotion for New Teddy Phillips Disk” – Cash Box – Jan. 19, 1952
‘Good Rockin’ Man’ by Roy Brown – #1 in LA – Cash Box – Feb. 2, 1952
“[Eli] Oberstein Will Quit King Post for Own Firms” – Billboard – Feb. 16, 1952
‘Everybody’s Got a Girl But Me’ by Hawkshaw Hawkins – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Feb. 23, 1952
Review = ‘Train Kept a Rollin” (as a B-side) – Cash Box – Feb. 23, 1952
News = Syd Nathan & Henry Glover to head up King’s pop division at month’s end when Eli Oberstein departs to pursue his own commercial venture – Billboard – Mar. 1, 1952
Review = Delmore Bros & Grandpa Jones 78s – Cash Box – Mar. 1, 1952
News = King’s west coast office on Pico Blvd for Ralph Bass – Cash Box – Mar. 15, 1952
News = Sonny Thompson’s ‘Mellow Blues’ is breaking + ‘Mr. Playful Baby’s Gone’ by Wynonie Harris doing well – Cash Box – Mar. 15, 1952
Reviews – ‘Nosey Joe’ by Moose Jackson + ‘Last Laugh’ by Roy Brown – Cash Box – Mar. 15, 1952
“Oberstein Says New York LP War Aids Low Priced Manufacturers” – Cash Box – Mar. 15, 1952
“Dewey Bergman Named King Pop A& R Head by Nathan” – Cash Box – Mar. 22, 1952
‘Better Beware’ by Little Esther – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 12, 1952
‘Keep on Churnin” by Wynonie Harris – Award o’ the Week [one of six King/Federal 78s reviewed] – Cash Box – Apr. 19, 1952
“Syd Nathan, King Prexy, First to Agree to One Tone [Recording] Level Meeting” – Cash Box – Apr. 19, 1952
News = Earl Bostic post-near-fatal car accident en route to one-nighter – Cash Box – Apr. 26, 1952 (pictured below – with John Coltrane, in all likelihood)

‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ by Cowboy Copas – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – May 17, 1952
Reviews = Moose Jackson (King), Dorothy Ellis (Federal) & the Four Internes (Federal) – Cash Box – May 17, 1952
Reviews = Little Esther & Peter Guitar Lewis & Shirley Haven (Federal) + The Swallows & Spirit of Memphis (King) – Cash Box – May 31, 1952
PHOTOS: Earl Bostic with John Coltrane (et al) – Huntsville Ala Mirror – June 7, 1952
“Lucky Millinder Gets Gold Award from Henry Glover” – Huntsville Ala Mirror – June 7, 1952
News = Ralph Bass cutting 1st sessions with Little Willie Littlefield and Lil Greenwood – Cash Box – June 7, 1952
News = Earl Bostic dazzles at LA’s Shrine Auditorium (on crutches after accident) – Cash Box – June 14, 1952
“The Rise of Syd Nathan & King Records Detailed in Revere Copper House Organ (As It Tells the Part Copper Plays in the Manufacture of Records)” – Cash Box – June 28, 1952

Happy 10th Anniversary, Cash Box from King Records — June 28, 1952

‘Have Mercy Baby’ by The Dominoes – #1 in Harlem, Chicago’s South Side, New Orleans, Dallas & LA – Cash Box – June 28, 1952
Reviews = ‘Grant It Lord’ by Swan’s Silvertone Singers + ‘Lay It on the Line’ by Tiny Bradshaw – Cash Box – July 5, 1952
“Musical Platters … Made in Cincinnati” – Cincinnati Enquirer – July 6, 1952 [Sunday Magazine]
“King Shuffles A&R Set Up” – Billboard – July 12, 1952
News = 1st recording session for Jimmy Witherspoon, signed by Ralph Bass, who also signed Big Jay McNeely – Cash Box – July 12, 1952
Reviews = ‘My Ding a Ling’ by Dave Bartholomew (King) + Preston Love & The Four Internes (Federal) – Cash Box – July 12, 1952
Reviews = Delmore Bros, Jimmy Thomason & Bob Newman King 78s – Cash Box – July 26, 1952
“Unknown Warblers [i.e., Ruby Wright & Dick Noel] Sought in ‘Bible’ of Theatrical Trade Revealed in Cincinnati” – Cincinnati Times-Star – Aug. 20, 1952
Reviews = Four Internes (Federal) & Billy Hadnott (Federal) – Cash Box – Sep. 6, 1952
“Syd Nathan Off to Europe [for Licensing Deals in Various Countries]” – Cash Box – Sep. 6, 1952
“Syd Nathan to Europe for Looksee” – Billboard – Sep. 13, 1952
Reviews = Delmore Bros, Brown’s Ferry Four & Howdy Kemp King 78s – Cash Box – Sep. 20, 1952
Reviews = Spirit of Memphis Quartet + The Royals + Sarah McLawler + Kitty Mann King 78s – Cash Box – Sep. 20, 1952
Reviews = Jimmy Witherspoon (Federal) + Jimmy Rushing & Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson (King) 78s – Cash Box – Sep. 27, 1952
‘I’d Be Satisfied’ by Billy Ward & Dominoes – Award o’ the Week + ‘Big Jay Shuffle’ by Big Jay McNeely – Cash Box – Oct. 18, 1952
“Syd Nathan Acquires Hot Lips Page Masters on European Trip” – Cash Box – Oct. 18, 1952
“Syd Parlevouz With Hot Lips” – Billboard – Oct. 18, 1952
Reviews = Lula Reed (King), Spirit of Memphis Quartet (King) & Four Internes (Federal) – Cash Box – Nov. 8, 1952
Reviews = Delmore Bros, Jimmy Ballard & York Bros King 78s – Cash Box – Nov. 15, 1952
“Syd Nathan Finds American Music Creates European Goodwill” – Cash Box – Nov. 15, 1952
Reviews = ‘Night’s Curtains’ by The Checkers – Award o’ the Week + Kitty Mann (King) & Little Esther (Federal) – Cash Box – Nov. 22, 1952
Review of 3 King 78s – Wayne Raney, Moon Mullican & Jimmie Osborne – Cash Box – Nov. 22, 1952
Full-page ad = WLW’s ‘Midwestern Hayride’ – a boost to your 1953 fair’s popularity – Billboard – Nov. 29, 1952
‘Trying’ by Todd Rhodes = #1 in San Francisco – Cash Box – Nov. 29, 1952
‘Love Me Now’ by Cowboy Copas – Bullseye of the Week + Rabon Delmore dies – Cash Box – Dec. 20, 1952

17 years later, Lou Reed would release an album titled after, and inspired by, this song

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‘The Bells‘ by Billy Ward & Dominoes – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 20, 1952

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1953

Tiny Bradshaw’s ‘Soft’ – Award o’ the Week + Wynonie Harris, Big Jay McNeely & Lucky Millinder 78s – Cash Box – Jan. 10, 1953
‘Tangled Heart’ by Hawkshaw Hawkins – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Jan. 17, 1953
Reviews = Hot Lips Page & Spirit of Memphis Quartet (King) + Ray Charles (Rockin’) + Spiritual Harmonizers (Glory) – Cash Box – Jan. 24, 1953

One of Ray Charles‘ earliest recordings!

King’s Rockin‘ subsidiary label

“[Vic] Mizzy Files $2,200 King Diskery Claim” – Billboard – Jan. 24, 1953
Syd Nathan quoted in “Disk Jockey Promotion – The Disker View” – Billboard – Feb. 28, 1953
‘Baby Don’t Do It’ by The “5” Royales [Apollo] vs. ‘Baby I’m Doing It’ by Anisteen Allen [King] on ‘Hot’ R&B Chart – Cash Box – Mar. 14, 1953
Reviews = Jimmy Rushing (King) + Royals (Federal) + Manzy Harris Orch (Rockin’) 78s – Cash Box – Mar. 14, 1953
Reviews = Little Esther, Sonny Thompson & Babs Gonzalez 78s – Cash Box – Apr. 4, 1953
“Harrises Nathan Guests” [Arthur Harris – True Tone Africa] – Billboard – May 2, 1953
News = Henry Glover’s daughter born Apr 24th (on Syd Nathan’s birthday!) – Cash Box – May 23, 1953
Reviews = ‘My Baby Keeps Rollin” by Anisteen Allen – R&B Sleeper of the Week + Smokey Hogg (Federal), Chiem Eri & G.I. Joe (Federal) & Spiritual Harmonizers (Glory) – Cash Box – May 23, 1953
King news = Henry Glover, Anisteen Allen, Sugar Ray Robinson & Ink Spots – Cash Box – June 6, 1953
Syd Nathan & Sugar Ray Robinson promo – Cash Box – June 6, 1953

‘Clyde McPhatter Claimed by Federal & Atlantic’ + ‘Essex Named King Distributor in NJ’ – Cash Box – June 13, 1953
‘Tennessee Wig Walk’ by Bonnie Lou – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – June 13, 1953
Bonnie Lou = ad for personal appearances – Billboard – June 27, 1953
“[Dewey] Bergman Quits King A&R Post” – Billboard – June 27, 1953
“Syd Nathan – Form Letter Has [Publishers] Reflecting” – Billboard – June 27, 1953
“[Al] Miller to Quit Victor, Return as King Exec” – Billboard – July 4, 1953
“Al Miller Returns to King Records” – Cash Box – July 4, 1953
“King Makes New Union Tie-Up” – Cash Box – July 4, 1953
”King Hops Into ‘Hound [Dog]’ Hassle” – Billboard – Aug. 1, 1953
News = Ralph Bass Makes Great Talent Prediction – Cash Box – Aug. 8, 1953
Reviews = Jimmie Osborne (King) + Joe Asher (Rockin’) – Cash Box – Aug. 15, 1953
News = Syd Nathan hosts cocktail party at home to celebrate the return of Al Miller – Billboard – Aug. 22, 1953
News = Syd Nathan & Henry Glover Take PA Turnpike to NYC – Cash Box – Aug. 22, 1953
News = Mary Lou Smith (“Syd Nathan’s ‘Gal Friday’”) co-writes “Cherry Wine” with Henry Glover – Cash Box – Sep. 19, 1953
Reviews = ‘Adam’ b/w ‘Roosters Are Crowing’ by Wayne Raney + ‘Ain’t Got a Pot’ b/w ‘Suicide’ by Louis Innis – Cash Box – Sep. 19, 1953
“International ‘Pa-Paya Mama’” = Bonnie Lou’s ‘Pa-Paya Maya’ to be distributed in South Africa, UK, Canada & Holland – Cash Box – Oct. 17, 1953
‘South of the Orient’ by Tiny Bradshaw – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 24, 1953
‘Rags to Riches’ by Billy Ward & Dominoes – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 31, 1953
“King Signs Carl Lebow As A&R Head” – Cash Box – Nov. 21, 1953

“King Records Copyright Lawsuit Settled” – Cash Box – Nov. 28, 1953
Ralph Bass cuts sessions for Mickey Rooney + ‘Rags to Riches’ by Dominoes selling well – Cash Box – Nov. 28, 1953
Jerry Byrd = Grand Ole Opry artist bio + Congratulations WSM from King Records – Cash Box – Nov. 28, 1953
“King Takes on 3 New Labels” [Four Star, Gilt Edge & Big Town] – Billboard – Dec. 5, 1953
“King to Handle Distribution of Four Star Thru Its Company Owned Branches” – Cash Box – Dec. 5, 1953

1954

Reviews = Four Internes (Federal) & Rudy Ferguson (DeLuxe) + ‘Watch Dog’ by Lula Reed (King) #15 R&B Chart – Cash Box – Mar. 6, 1954
King baseball-themed ad – Cash Box – Mar. 13, 1954
Review of Young John Watson’s ‘steel’ work on ‘Space Guitar’ [plus Jalacy Hawkins] – Cash Box – Apr. 17, 1954
‘Bump on a Log’ by Lula Reed – Sleeper of the Week – Cash Box – May 1, 1954
News = Syd Nathan to travel with Henry Stone to Cuba for calypso/mambo artists – Billboard – May 15, 1954
‘Work With Me Annie’ by The Midnighters – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – May 22, 1954
‘Sexy Ways’ by The Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – June 5, 1954
News = DeLuxe A&R Exec Henry Stone recording calypso group The Quails in Cincinnati + Syd Nathan’s search for talent in Cuba – Billboard – June 5, 1954
“Orders Mount – [King] Rescind(s) Ban on [McCarthy hearings parody] ‘Point of Order’” – Billboard – June 5, 1954

News = ‘Midwestern Hayride’ to feed their show via NBC-TV coast-to-coast – Cash Box – June 12, 1954
‘Work With Me Annie‘ by The Midnighters – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – June 12, 1954

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‘Work With Me Annie’ by The Midnighters – #1 in NYC & New Orleans – Cash Box – June 19, 1954
‘Spider Web’ by Tiny Bradshaw – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – June 26, 1954
‘Mambolino’ by Earl Bostic – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – July 3, 1954
‘Work With Me Annie’ by The Midnighters – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – July 3, 1954
‘Work With Me Annie’ by The Midnighters = #1 in Chicago, SF & Newark – Cash Box – July 17, 1954
“Apollo and King in Hassle Over Right to ‘5’ Royales” – Cash Box – July 31, 1954
Reviews = Bill Robinson & the Quails single (DeLuxe) – a Best Bet + Linda Lopez & Her Mambo Orchestra (Federal) – Cash Box – July 31, 1954
News = Marvin Novak, Miami King distributor, to join Syd Nathan on hillbilly talent search – Billboard – July 31, 1954
“Three Legal Actions Involve Music Trade” = Apollo vs King Records – Five Royales – Billboard – July 31, 1954
‘Gonna Run It Down’ by 5 Royales – Award o’ the Week + Brother Claude Ely – Cash Box – Aug. 14, 1954
‘Annie Had a Baby’ by The Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 28, 1954
“King Portable Designed for College Trade” – Billboard – Aug. 28, 1954
Billy Ward & Dominoes + Midnighters – R&B Ramblings – Cash Box – Sep. 4, 1954
Midnighters rack up 3rd straight hit in ‘Annie’ series written by Glover & Nathan – Cash Box – Sep. 4, 1954
‘Annie’ trilogy by The Midnighters – Top 6 R&B – Cash Box – Sep. 18, 1954
‘Annie’ trilogy by The Midnighters – Top 7 R&B – Cash Box – Oct. 2, 1954
‘Annie’ trilogy by The Midnighters – Top 8 R&B – Cash Box – Oct. 16, 1954
News = Henry Stone, A&R for DeLuxe, who accompanied Syd Nathan & Marvin Novak on talent expedition, raving about ‘Hearts of Stone’ by The Charms (to be recut by Louis Innis for ‘hillbilly’ market) – Billboard – Oct. 16, 1954
News = Pee Wee King’s show on WLW-TV doing well + ‘Midwestern Hayride’ celebrates 6 years on TV – Cash Box – Oct. 16, 1954
‘Monkey Hips With Rice’ by 5 Royales – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 23, 1954
‘Annie’s Aunt Fannie’ by The Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 30, 1954
Midnighters release 4th single in ‘Annie’ series – Cash Box – Oct. 30, 1954
Syd Nathan – ‘Blue material not tolerated‘ – Cash Box – Nov. 6, 1954
News = negotiations to return ‘Midwestern Hayride’ to the NBC network – Cash Box – Nov. 13, 1954
Nathan reports ‘Hearts of Stone’ sales spill over into pop – Cash Box – Nov. 20, 1954
“Grand Ole Opry Anniversary” by Syd Nathan – Cash Box – Nov. 20, 1954
Survey by King Records show that 45 rpm is fast becoming the preferred speed – Cash Box – Nov. 20, 1954
Henry Stone says ‘Money Money Money’ by King artist Johnny & Mack is ‘coming up fast’ – Cash Box – Nov. 20, 1954
‘Hearts of Stone’ by The Charms – #3 R&B hit – Cash Box – Dec. 4, 1954
‘Liebestraum’ by Earl Bostic – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 4, 1954
Henry Stone says ‘Hearts of Stone’ biggest record in US – hillbilly, pop + r&b – Cash Box – Dec. 11, 1954
News – Bob Shreve in TV show ‘Surprise’ to replace Paul Dixon’s afternoon show – Cash Box – Dec. 11, 1954
‘Stingy Little Thing’ by Midnighters + ‘Mambo Sh-mambo’ by The Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 11, 1954
‘Hearts of Stone’ by Red Foley – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 18, 1954
‘Hearts of Stone’ by The Charms – #1 in Atlanta, Nashville & Shoals, IN– Cash Box – Dec. 18, 1954
‘Hearts of Stone’ by The Charms – #1 in New Orleans & Memphis – Cash Box – Dec. 18, 1954
‘Hearts of Stone‘ by The Charms – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – Dec. 25, 1954

Music — the perfect gift

News = WLW to replace Pee Wee King’s TV show with Eddie Cantor on films – Cash Box – Dec. 25, 1954

1955

King signs Lucky Millinder + Thanks from Midnighters – 1954’s #1 R&B group – Cash Box – Jan. 1, 1955

‘Hearts of Stone’ by The Charms – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – Jan. 15, 1955
LA News = Ralph Bass in hot seat over risque R&B – Cash Box – Feb. 19, 1955
News = The Midwesterners, WLW’s top square dance troupe, fly to Hollywood to film ‘Second Greatest Sex’ – Cash Box – Feb. 19, 1955
News = ‘More people in show business hail from the Queen City than from any other American city’ – Cash Box – Mar. 5, 1955
King Records supplies Bill Doggett instrumental for Cincinnati ‘Name That Tune’ contest – Cash Box – Mar. 12, 1955
‘Mohawk Squaw’ by 5 Royales – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 19, 1955
News = Midwestern Hayride’s original host, Willie Thall, bows after 6 years – replaced by Hugh Cherry – Cash Box – Mar. 26, 1955
“Louie Innis = New Country A&R Chief @ King” – Cash Box – Apr. 2, 1955
Syd Nathan & Henry Glover: ‘Work With Me Annie‘ – Best R&B Record of 1954 – Cash Box – Apr. 2, 1955

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1st Prize awarded in Cincinnati ‘Name That Tune’ contest for which King Records & Bill Doggett Combo had been commissioned – Cash Box – Apr. 30, 1955
News = WLW’s ‘Midwestern Hayride’ will hit NBC-TV – already serving Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton & Indianapolis – Cash Box – May 14, 1955
“WLW’s Unit Set for Cincy’s Castle Farm” – Billboard – May 14, 1955
“Weaver Brothers First Country Folk” = includes mini Boone County Jamboree history lesson (“WLW became the third station in the nation to introduce a major jamboree attraction”) – Billboard – May 21, 1955
News = WLW’s ‘Midwestern Hayride’ emceed by Hugh Cherry featuring Pee Wee King’s band & Redd Stewart ushered in its first weekly stand at Milt Magel’s Castle Farm “in sensational fashion” – Billboard – June 11, 1955
‘Gum Drop’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – June 11, 1955
“Don Pierce & Harold ‘Pappy’ Daily Buy Jack Starns’ Interest in Starday Records” – Cash Box – June 18, 1955
News = WLW mulling plans for a second ‘Midwestern Hayride’ unit to do ballroom tour due to overwhelming success at Castle Farm – Billboard – June 18, 1955
News = WLW’s ‘Midwestern Hayride’ to introduce show & square dance at Indianapolis’ Lyric Theater – Billboard – June 25, 1955
News = Ray Starkey back in the saddle at ‘Midwestern Hayride’ – Cash Box’s pick for ‘driver of the rig’ – Cash Box – July 9, 1955
‘Don’t Take It So Hard’ by Earl King – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – July 23, 1955
News = Syd Nathan & Jack Kelly “extolling the sales pulling power” of Boyd Bennett’s ‘Seventeen’ – Cash Box – July 30, 1955
WCKY’s Nelson King celebrates 10 years on air – Grand Ole Opry stars Roy Acuff (et al) pay visit – Cash Box – Aug. 20, 1955
‘I Get So Happy’ by Earl King – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 17, 1955
News = Ralph Bass on talent hunt by automobile from LA to New Orleans – Cash Box – Sep. 17, 1955

Billboard ad — Sep. 17, 1955

‘Miss the Love’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct 1, 1955
‘That’s My Pa’ b/w ‘Stumbling Block’ by Jack Dupree – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct 22, 1955
“Four Star Cuts Ties with King” – Billboard – Oct. 29, 1955
“Another Platters ‘Only You’” [recorded at King but not released – until now] – Cash Box – Nov. 5, 1955
“Happy 30th Anniversary to WSM from Clay Eager @ Midwestern Hayride” – Cash Box – Nov. 12, 1955
‘Home at Last’ by Little Willie John – Sleeper of the Week – Cash Box – Nov. 12, 1955
News = Cincinnati contingent attending 4th Annual Country DJ Convention included Bonnie Lou, Nelson King, Davis Sisters, Jimmie Skinner et al – Cash Box – Dec. 3, 1955
“Henry Stone Forms Chart Records and Sherlyn Publishing” = severs ties with King-distributed Crystal Records – Cash Box – Dec. 10, 1955
Henry Stone splits with King Records – ‘R&B Ramblings’ – Cash Box – Dec. 10, 1955
News = Henry Glover attends large trade event hosted by Dr Jive – Cash Box – Dec. 24, 1955
‘Silent Partner’ by Jack Dupree – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 24, 1955
‘Time Will Tell’ by Earl Connelly King – Sleeper of the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 24, 1955

1956

‘All Around the World’ by Little Willie John – #1 in Chicago – Cash Box – Jan. 7, 1956
“[Don Bohanon] Named Asst. Sales Mgr. of King” – Cash Box – Jan. 7, 1956
News = Bob Stoddard buys Herzog Studio & moves to old WLW-TV site – Cash Box – Jan. 7, 1956
“Defense [King Records] Wins Platters’ Suit“ – Billboard – Jan. 21, 1956
Reviews = Rudy Moore + Mel Williams (Federal 78s) – Cash Box – Jan. 28, 1956
Cincinnati News = “We think it smart that the Crosley Station revived [The Boone County Jamboree] after so many years” – Billboard – Jan. 28, 1956
Reviews = ‘Please Please Please’ by James Brown & Famous Flames (Federal) + Babs Gonzales & Joe Medlin (King) – Cash Box – Mar. 3, 1956
‘Ivory Tower’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week + ‘Rock Granny Roll’ by The Midnighters – Cash Box – Mar. 17, 1956
‘Rock Island Line’ by Grandpa Jones – a Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 7, 1956
“Thall Back on Cincy’s WLW ‘Hayriders’” – Billboard – Apr. 14, 1956
News = Cincinnati’s Moonlight Gardens to open + New rock ‘n’ roll star = Carl Perkins – Cash Box – Apr. 14, 1956
‘Ivory Tower’ by Otis Williams & Charms – #3 in New Orleans, #8 in Detroit & #10 in Newark – Cash Box – Apr. 21, 1956
Review = ‘Fever’ by Little Willie John – Cash Box – May 5, 1956
‘If I Had Me a Woman’ by Mac Curtis – Bullseye of the Week – Cash Box – May 12, 1956
Q = where is Bill Thall & Bob Shreve’s early great TV show? – Cash Box – May 25, 1956
‘It’s All Over‘ by Otis Williams – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – June 2, 1956

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‘Fever’ by Little Willie John – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – June 16, 1956
‘Please Please Please’ by James Brown – breaking in Cleveland – Cash Box – June 16, 1956
Syd Nathan – ‘Two biggest consecutive business days in last five years‘ – Cash Box – June 16, 1956
‘Fever’ by Little Willie John – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – June 23, 1956
‘Please Please Please’ by James Brown – breaking in Atlanta – Cash Box – June 23, 1956
‘Fever‘ by Little Willie John – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – June 30, 1956

‘Fever’ by Little Willie John – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – July 14, 1956
‘Fever’ by Little Willie John – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – July 28, 1956
Reviews = Margie Day (DeLuxe) + Rudy Moore (Federal) + 5 Royales (King) – Cash Box – July 28, 1956
‘Thanks from Little Willie John = Most Promising Vocalist’ – Cash Box – July 28, 1956
R&B Ramblings = Syd Nathan thrilled that first 20,000 copies of ‘Honky Tonk’ sold out lickety split – Cash Box – July 28, 1956
‘Half Hearted Love’ by Mac Curtis – Bullseye of the Week + ‘Cincinnati Cut-Ups’ column turns two – Cash Box – Aug. 4, 1956
”Fever” vs “Honky Tonk” vs “Flying Saucer“ vs. “Please Please Please“ – Cash Box – Aug. 18, 1956

‘Honky Tonk’ (#2), ‘Flying Saucer’ (#3), ‘Fever’ (#4) R&B hits – Cash Box – Aug. 25, 1956
News = MGM artist Jimmie Williams recorded at new Herzog Studios in Rookwood Building – Cash Box – Aug. 25, 1956
Ad = ‘Honky Tonk’ vs ‘Fever’ – Cash Box – Sep. 1, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 R&B two weeks in a row – Cash Box – Sep. 1, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett battling ‘Fever’ by Little Willie John – Cash Box – Sep. 1, 1956
Ad = ‘Bigger, Bigger, Bigger – ‘Honky Tonk’ & ‘Fever” – Cash Box – Sep. 8, 1956
Ad = ‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett on the way to #1 in the nation – Cash Box – Sep. 8, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – Sep. 8, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – Sep. 15, 1956
‘Whirlwind’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 15, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 almost everywhere (a) – Cash Box – Sep. 22, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 almost everywhere (b) – Cash Box – Sep. 22, 1956
‘Honky Tonk‘ by Bill Doggett – #1 R&B hit– Cash Box – Sep. 22, 1956

‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 R&B hit– Cash Box – Sep. 29, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 R&B hit– Cash Box – Oct. 6, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 almost everywhere (a) – Cash Box – Oct. 13, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 almost everywhere (b) – Cash Box – Oct. 13, 1956
Otis Williams – R&B Ramblings – Cash Box – Oct. 20, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 almost everywhere (a) – Cash Box – Oct. 27, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 almost everywhere (b) – Cash Box – Oct. 27, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – #1 almost everywhere – Cash Box – Nov. 3, 1956
‘Gypsy Lady’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Nov. 10, 1956
News = Country musicians to get axe at WLW along with ‘Midwestern Hayride’ – Cash Box – Nov. 17, 1956
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – Top 5 everywhere – Cash Box – Nov. 17, 1956
Cover photo = Bill Doggett, Clifford Scott, Billy Butler, Shep Shepherd & Syd Nathan – Cash Box – Nov. 24, 1956

Doggett’s follow-up single “Slow Walk”: #1 in Detroit (p. 35)

‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett – Top 5 everywhere – Cash Box – Dec. 1, 1956
“Two King Branches Get Cadence Line” – Cash Box – Dec. 1, 1956
News = WLW does a ‘George Costanza‘ and quietly resumes ‘Midwestern Hayride’ (with Bill Thall to replace Clay Eager) – Cash Box – Dec. 15, 1956
Ad = ‘Fever‘ by Little Willie John – Best R&B 45 of 1956 – Cash Box – Dec. 22, 1956

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Review = ‘One Hand Loose’ & ‘Bottle to the Baby’ by Charlie Feathers – Billboard – Dec. 22, 1956
Review = ‘One Hand Loose’ & ‘Bottle to the Baby’ by Charlie Feathers – Cash Box – Dec. 29, 1956
‘Will the Sun Shine Tomorrow’ by Little Willie John – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 29, 1956

1957

‘Pardon Me’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Jan. 5, 1957

Billboard ad – Jan. 12, 1957

Otis Williams (et al) ‘strong King releases this week’ – R&B Ramblings – Cash Box – Feb. 23, 1957
‘Walkin’ After Midnight’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 2, 1957
News = WLW’s Ruth Lyons profiled by Sat Evening Post as ‘one of the most successful TV personalities’ – Cash Box – Mar. 30, 1957
‘Chloe’ by Bill Doggett – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 13, 1957
‘Hurts To Be in Love’ by Annie Laurie – #1 in Detroit – Cash Box – Apr. 13, 1957
“WLW to Start Local Color” = Crosley Broadcasting Corporation “will begin local colorcasting at WLW-T in June”
“All That Rockin’ and Not Much ‘Kingly’ Music” by Dick Schaefer – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 19, 1957
NY News = Syd Nathan back after having a stroke – Cash Box – May 25, 1957
‘Ding Dong’ by Bill Doggett – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – June 1, 1957
Reviews = ‘Ding Dong’ by Bill Doggett – Award o’ the Week + ‘Think’ by 5 Royales + Don Gardner (DeLuxe) + The Gum Drops (King) + Kenny & Moe (DeLuxe) – Cash Box – June 1, 1957
Review = Washboard Bill single (King) – Cash Box – June 29, 1957
‘United’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – July 6, 1957
“Carl Lebow Named General Manager of Bethlehem” – Cash Box – July 20, 1957
“Midwestern Hayride (Hosted by Paul Dixon) Goes Network” – ABC – Cash Box – July 20, 1957
“King Boosts Prices of 78s” – Billboard – Aug. 5, 1957
Reviews = ‘Hammer Head’ by Bill Doggett – Award o’ the Week + ‘Rolling Home’ by Otis Williams (DeLuxe) + Ike Turner and Billy Ward & the Dominoes (Federal) – Cash Box – Aug. 10, 1957
R&B Ramblings = 5 Royales, Tiny Topsy & Ralph Bass – Cash Box – Sep. 21, 1957
‘Think’ by 5 Royales – Top 10 R&B hit – Cash Box – Oct. 5, 1957

King ad — Billboard — Oct. 28, 1957

‘Ring Around My Finger’ by Tiny Tops & the Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 26, 1957

1958

‘Oh Julie’ by Otis Williams & Charms – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Jan. 4, 1958
‘Flying Home’ by Bill Doggett + ‘Talk to Me’ by Little Willie John – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Feb. 8, 1958
‘King Appoints Two to San Francisco Branch’ – Cash Box – Apr. 12, 1958
‘Talk to Me Talk to Me’ by Little Willie John – Top 3 – Cash Box – Apr. 19, 1958
‘Blues for Handy’ by Bill Doggett – ‘Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 26, 1958
‘The Feeling Is Real’ by 5 Royales – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – May 3, 1958
“Hal Neely New King G.M.” – Billboard – May 5, 1958
“King Names Hal Neely General Manager” – Cash Box – May 10, 1958
News = Syd Nathan working deal with Carlton Haney to record LP by Richmond VA’s New Dominion Barn Dance talent in the Fall – Billboard – June 9, 1958
“King on First Stereo Kick” – Billboard – June 23, 1958
“King in Stereo Field” = Johnny Pate’s ‘Jazz Goes Ivy League’ 1^st stereo release – Cash Box – June 28, 1958
“King Sets Up Summer Album Program” – Billboard – June 30, 1958
“Hal Neely New King [General Manager]” – Billboard—July 5, 1958
Photo = King Records window display in SF – Cash Box – July 5, 1958
“King Pacts New Faces” [Bob Kames, Milty & Nat, Tommy Love, Johnny Darling] – Cash Box – July 12, 1958
‘Double or Nothing’ by 5 Royales – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – July 19, 1958
“King Takes Over Bethlehem Distribution” – Cash Box – Aug. 2, 1958
“King Signs More Talent” [Reggie & Jimmy + Swinging Phillies (via Andy Gibson, DeLuxe) -also- Faith Taylor and Kenneth Tibbs (via Ralph Bass, Federal)] – Cash Box – Aug. 23, 1958
“King Signs News Talent” [Shorty Baker, Puddle Jumpers, Teddy Humphries & Wes Voight] – Cash Box – Oct. 11, 1958
“King & Bethlehem Reduce EPs to $1.29” – Cash Box – Oct. 18, 1958
‘The Slummer the Slum’ by 5 Royales + ‘Goodnight’ by Earl Bostic – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 18, 1958
News = Syd Nathan & Hal Neely in Los Angeles to record Earl Bostic + duo to also record Trini Lopez in Dallas – Billboard – Dec. 15, 1958

Cash Box — Feb. 8, 1958

1959

Hal Neely says King has issued 1st two stereo singles = quoted in ‘Record MFRS to Release Plenty of Stereo Singles’ – Cash Box – Jan. 17, 1959
“King Re-Pacts Roy Brown – Cash Box – Jan. 31, 1959
‘Made For Me’ by Little Willie John & ‘I Want You So Bad’ by James Brown – Cash Box – Feb. 14, 1959
‘The Twist’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – R&B Sure Shot – Cash Box – Feb. 14, 1959
‘Answer Me’ by Titus Turner – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 21, 1959
‘Kansas City’ by Midnighters + ‘Miracle of Love’ by 5 Royales – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 4, 1959
‘Kansas City’ [vs. ‘K.C. Loving’] Keeps Trade Fever Rising [Syd Nathan’s copyright concerns] – Billboard – Apr. 6, 1959
“8 New LPs for ‘organist’ Earl Bostic” – Cash Box – Apr. 25, 1959
Hank Ballard & Midnighters LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – May 30, 1959
‘Sugaree’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – June 20, 1959
News = Long-time King production/promotion exec Howard Kessel resigns – Syd Nathan buys out Kessel’s 16% share – Billboard – July 6, 1959
Syd Nathan’s open letter to the record industry – ‘Save the Single‘ – Cash Box – July 11, 1959

“Beverly Ann Gibson on King Records” – Montgomery Ala Tribune – July 24, 1959
“King Gets (Cozy) Cole” – Cash Box – July 25, 1959
Review = Bob Newman’s classic truck-driving doubleheader – Cash Box – July 25, 1959
“King Disks Triples Its Custom Jobs” – Billboard – Aug. 24, 1959
‘Cute Little Ways’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 29, 1959
‘Dark Eyes’ by Earl Bostic – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 19, 1959
Cincinnati News = Seymour “Steinbeigle” [future Sire Records co-founder] “youthful New York platter expert” was “house guest last week of Syd Nathan” – Billboard – Sep. 21, 1959
‘Ain’t No Rocking No More’ by Roy Brown – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 26, 1959
“Syd Nathan Signs [Rudy] West” – Cash Box – Oct. 3, 1959
“[Henry Glover] Joins [Hy] Weiss” = formed new label, Glover Records – Cash Box – Oct. 10, 1959
“[Otis] Blackwell Joins Glover” = Glover Records disk pact – Cash Box – Oct. 17, 1959
‘My Sugar, Sugar’ by 5 Royales – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 24, 1959
‘Once in a While’ by Earl Bostic – a Best Bet + ‘Zeen Beat’ by Gene Redd – Cash Box – Oct. 24, 1959
‘Never Knew’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Nov. 7, 1959
“Recording Firm Admits Payoffs” – UPI – Nov. 20, 1959
“DJ Payoffs Revealed” – Cincinnati Times-Star – Nov. 20, 1959
“Cincinnati Firm Called In on Disc Jockey Payments” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 21, 1959
“Gave Disk Jockeys Checks” – UPI – Nov. 21, 1959
‘Uh Oh’ by The Nutty Squirrels – R&B Sure Shot – Cash Box – Nov. 21, 1959
Syd Nathan quoted in “Ready to Make Like Canaries” – Billboard – Nov. 23, 1959
Dallas News = King artist Trini Lopez – Cash Box – Nov. 28, 1959
‘Look at Little Sister’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 5, 1959
‘Gagging Up ‘The Taste’‘ – Syd Nathan sends Christmas card of a piano-playing Santa bearing the message ‘Play-ola Greetings’ – Billboard – Dec. 28, 1959

1960

News = Starday’s Don Pierce in Cincinnati to confer with King’s Syd Nathan over shared commercial venture – Billboard – Jan. 11, 1960

“Syd Nathan Blasts Off” [payola hearings] – Billboard – Jan. 25, 1960
News = Syd Nathan and Hal Neely to spend a month abroad negotiating leases with EMI [itinerary to include London, Milan, Zurich, Vienna, Hamburg & Music Festival @ San Remos, Italy] – Billboard – Jan. 25, 1960
“Syd Nathan Scores [Stanley] Adams’ Charges” [Denies Receiving $100K BMI Subsidy] – Cash Box – Jan. 30, 1960
News = “Gladys Knochelman infos that topper Syd Nathan has switched Otis Williams to his King label” – Cash Box – Jan. 30, 1960
‘Waiting’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Feb. 6, 1960
“WLW’s Hayriders Honor Bonnie Lou” – Billboard – Feb. 15, 1960
‘My Love Is’ by Little Willie John – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Feb. 20, 1960
‘Finger Poppin’ Time’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Apr. 23, 1960
“Local Record Man Faces Quiz at Clark Payola Probe” – Cincinnati Post Times-Star – Apr. 26, 1960
”Carlson Contract Favored Record Firm, Singer Says” – Cincinnati Post Times-Star – Apr. 28, 1960
“Carlson Gets Rebuke in Payola Inquiry” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Apr. 28, 1960
Dale Stevens’ column = “US Payola Hearing Unfair, Local Record Maker Says” – Cincinnati Post Times-Star – Apr. 29, 1960
Italy News = Hal Neely makes international deal with Betty Curtis – Cash Box – May 7, 1960
‘Mountain Dew’ by Stanley Brothers – a Cash Box Bullseye– Cash Box – May 7, 1960
“King Records A&R Appointments – Teddy Charles & Billy Miles” – Cash Box – May 21, 1960
Syd Nathan quoted in “Pop Charts Sprout Grass Roots Although Air Formats Change” – Billboard – July 4, 1960
“King Custom Work 43% of Volume” – 57 presses total – Cash Box – July 9, 1960
Cincinnati News + King Studio activity: Billboard – July 11, 1960

Billboard editorial on ‘The R&B Scene‘ — same issue

“King Launches Summer Pitch” – Billboard – July 11, 1960
“King A&R Men, Branch Managers [4-Day] Confab” = Syd Nathan, Hal Neely, Billy Myles, Sonny Thompson, Andy Gibson, Gene Redd, Jack Pearl, Jim Wilson, Jim Namey & Richard Kline – Billboard – July 18, 1960
“King Summer Special – 1 free LP for 4 ordered” + 12 LP presses – Cash Box – July 16, 1960
Review = ‘Finger Poppin’ Time’ by Stanley Brothers – Cash Box – July 30, 1960
‘This Old Heart’ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 13, 1960
“King Reissues Hank Ballard ‘Twist’” – Cash Box – Aug. 13, 1960
“King Debuts New LP Line” – Billboard – Aug. 15, 1960
“King Announces New International Series” – Cash Box – Aug. 20, 1960
‘Let’s Go Let’s Go Let’s Go’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 17, 1960
Cover photo = Hank Ballard & Syd Nathan – Cash Box – Sep. 24, 1960

“Finger Poppin’ Time” — Juke Box Top Ten (p. 30)

“Coltrane on Coltrane” – Earl Bostic cited as an early influence – Downbeat – Sep. 29, 1960
“Henry Glover to Roulette’s A&R Staff” – Cash Box – Oct. 1, 1960
Reviews = Five Keys (King) + El Pauling & the Royalton (Federal) – Cash Box – Oct. 8, 1960
“Local Firm Bows to FTC on Payola” – Cincinnati Post – Oct. 18, 1960
Review = ‘Crying Tears’ by Smokey Smothers – Cash Box – Nov. 5, 1960
“Unknown Fan Attacks Little Willie John” – Pittsburgh Courier – Nov. 12, 1960
“Buy Big in December, Urges Nathan” – Billboard – Nov. 14, 1960
Reviews = ‘Then You Know’ by Trini Lopez + ‘Bowling USA’ by The Blue Flames – Cash Box – Nov. 26, 1960
“Roulette Answers [‘You Talk Too Much’] Hit” – produced by Henry Glover – Cash Box – Nov. 26, 1960
News = Syd Nathan’s draws 150 at annual Christmas party hosted at his home – Billboard – Dec. 26, 1960
Review = ‘Now Baby Don’t Do It’ by El Pauling & the Royalton – Cash Box – Dec. 31, 1960

1961

“Andy Gibson, King A&R Director, Dies in Cincy” – Billboard – Feb. 20, 1961
‘Little Turtle Dove’ by Otis Williams & Charms – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 4, 1961
“King to Handle Kem Label” – Cash Box – Mar. 18, 1961
‘Continental Walk’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 1, 1961
“King Makes Globe Expansion Move” – Billboard – Apr. 3, 1961
Ad = ‘74,000 sold in 5 days’ – Hank Ballard’s ‘Continental Walk’ – Cash Box – Apr. 8, 1961
International News = Syd Nathan, Hal Neely, Jack Pearl & Saul Harper to meet with multiple European firms – Cash Box – Apr. 15, 1961
PHOTO = Syd Nathan & Hal Neely in London with Richard Dawes & Leonard George Wood of EMI Records – Cash Box – Apr. 22, 1961

“Roulette Reactivates Gee – Henry Glover Heads A&R” – Cash Box – Apr. 22, 1961
‘Spring Fever’ by Little Willie John – a Best Bet + ‘Brother in Law’ by Paul Peek (Fairlane) – Cash Box – May 6, 1961
News – Chuck Seitz named King studio engineer – Billboard – May 22, 1961

Billboard ad — May 22, 1961

Reviews = Otis Williams (‘Just Forget About Me’) & Five Keys 45s (‘Stop Your Crying’) – Cash Box – May 27, 1961
“King Offers Buy-1-Get-1 Plan” – Cash Box – June 3, 1961
“New King Plan, Post for Increased Promo” – Cash Box – June 3, 1961
“King Extends Deals” – Cash Box – July 8, 1961
“King Records Sets Guaranteed Singles-LPs Exchange Policy” – Billboard – July 10, 1961
Roulette’s Henry Glover writes ‘The Mule’ in answer to ‘The Pony’ – Cash Box – July 22, 1961
‘You’re the Reason’ by Joe South (Fairlane) – a Best Bet – Cash Box – July 22, 1961
‘San-Ho-Zay’ by Freddy King – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – July 29, 1961
Mickey & Sylvia 45 on new King-distributed Willow label – Cash Box – Aug. 5, 1961
‘The Secret’ by Otis Williams – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 7, 1961
“King Inks Rep Deal with England’s Ember” – Cash Box – Oct. 21, 1961

‘Masquerade’ by Joe South (Fairlane) – a Best Bet ” – Cash Box – Oct. 28, 1961
‘Darling (I Miss You So)’ – B side of Mickey & Sylvia ‘Best Bet’ Willow 45 – Cash Box – Nov. 4, 1961
Ray Pennington & Sonny Thompson – 2 of 35 songwriters given BMI award– Cash Box – Nov. 4, 1961
Hank Ballard’s ‘Let’s Go Again’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – Dec. 16, 1961

1962

Joey Dee soundtrack scored by Henry Glover – Cash Box – Jan. 6, 1962
‘Fever (with Strings)’ by Little Willie John & ‘Dark Glasses’ by Billy Joe Royal (Fairlane) – Best Bets – Cash Box – Jan. 20, 1962
Syd Nathan & Henry Glover @ 10th Annual BMI Award Dinner– Cash Box – Feb. 3, 1962

“Syd Nathan, King Record Chief Exec, Sounds Off on Touchy Disk Topics” – Billboard – Feb. 24, 1962
Review = ‘Do the President Twist’ by Lula Reed & Freddy King – Cash Box – Mar. 17, 1962
‘Why Does Everything Happen to Me’ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 24, 1962
“King Now Owns Bethlehem 100%” – Cash Box – June 16, 1962
Hank Ballard’s ‘Twistin’ Fools’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – July 14, 1962
“King [& Bethlehem] Set New Bonus Plan” – Cash Box – Aug. 4, 1962
“King Records’ New Bonus Plan Offers Dealer 1st Edition Singles & Albums” – Billboard – Aug. 4, 1962
“Nathan Resigns Post at Beltone” – Cash Box – Aug. 18, 1962
“King Extends LP-Singles Deal” – Cash Box – Sep. 8, 1962
“King Signs [Hawkshaw] Hawkins in Move to Expand Its C&W Catalog” – Billboard –Sep. 22, 1962
“Hawkins Back on King in Country Build-Up” – Cash Box – Sep. 29, 1962
“Beltone Sues King for $3,000,000” – Cash Box – Oct. 6, 1962
“King Announces Fall Sound Festival” – discounts – Cash Box – Oct. 6, 1962
“King Cuts Prices 15% for October” – Billboard – Oct. 6, 1962
“King offering 12.5% discount on King, Bethlehem & Audio Lab” – Cash Box – Nov. 3, 1962
“King Expands Premium, Promotion Disk Biz with Bob Weems at Helm” – Billboard – Nov. 24, 1962
“Franny Jenson Scores a Coup” = Milwaukee youngster to record ‘Don’t Wait Till the Night Before Christmas’ on Bob Kames’ recommendation – Billboard – Nov. 24, 1962

1963

“King’s Happy New Year to Dealers – 15% Off” – Billboard – Jan. 12, 1963
“King Greets New Year With 15% Off Program; Nathan – ’62 Looks Good” – Cash Box – Jan. 12, 1963
‘Like a Baby’ by James Brown – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Jan. 19, 1963
“King Celebrates 20th Anniv with Big Country Music Sale” – Cash Box – Mar. 9, 1963
‘That Low Down Move’ by Hank Ballard & Midnighters – Award o’ the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 9, 1963
Cowboy Copas, Hawkshaw Hawkins & Patsy Cline die in plane tragedy – Cash Box – Mar. 16, 1963
PHOTO = Syd Nathan & Earl Bostic + Alfred E. Neuman – Billboard – Mar. 23, 1963
Reviews = ‘Out of Control’ by Lattie Moore (King) + Dave Dudley’s ‘Six Days on the Road’ – Cash Box – Apr. 20, 1963
‘Memphis’ by Lonnie Mack + ‘I Found Out’ by Bobby Byrd- Best Bets – Cash Box – May 11, 1963
‘One Hundred Years’ by Freddy King – a Best Bet – Cash Box – May 11, 1963
“Peak Handles Oriole & King [in New Zealand] – Billboard – May 25, 1963
Lonnie Mack = bio for DJs – Cash Box – June 15, 1963
‘Memphis’ by Lonnie Mack – a Sure Shot – Cash Box – June 15, 1963
News = Hal Neely announces deal inked with ‘country lark’ Jean Dee, who is cutting her 1st release at King – Cash Box – June 15, 1963
Ad = Royal Plastics, Inc. – “Let Royal Plastics take over your every recording and record manufacturing worry!” – Billboard – Aug. 3, 1963
‘Roulette’s (Morris) Levy & (Henry) ‘Grover’ Buy Half Interest in United Music – Cash Box – Aug. 17, 1963
‘Wham’ by Lonnie Mack – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 17, 1963
Full-page ad for 1st Lonnie Mack LP – Cash Box – Oct. 12, 1963

Virtually all of Lonnie Mack’s 1960s recordings were made at King Studios

Lonnie Mack’s ‘Wham of That Memphis Man’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – Oct. 19, 1963
Syd Nathan referenced in 1963’s highlights of a big year in “Country & Western” – Music Reporter – Nov. 2, 1963
‘Where There’s a Will’ by Lonnie Mack – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Nov. 9, 1963
Bio of Lonnie Mack – a ‘leading artist‘ of 1963 – Cash Box – Dec. 28, 1963

1964

“California Sun’ written by Henry Glover – Cash Box – Jan. 11, 1964
“Fraternity Re-Services Lonnie Mack Vocal Deck” – Cash Box – Jan. 25, 1964
News = Chuck Seitz leaves King for RCA Victor Nashville – Billboard – Feb. 8, 1964
‘Lonnie on the Move’ – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Feb. 15, 1964
‘Easy Talk’ by Hank Marr – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Mar. 21, 1964
PHOTO = Entire cast of WLW’s Boone County Jamboree – Billboard – Nov. 14, 1964
‘I’ve Had It’ by Lonnie Mack – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Apr. 18, 1964
News = Mary Lou Smith, Syd Nathan’s long-time secretary and foreign publishing-licensing expert, died following heart attack – Billboard – May 9, 1964
“King’s ‘Royal Family’” – Hal Neely promoting spoof LP + ‘The Ska Is Coming’ – Music Business – May 23, 1964
B+ review for Prince Buster & the Ska Busters – Cash Box – May 23, 1964
‘Sa-Ba-Hoola’ by Lonnie Mack + ‘Out of Sight’ by James Brown – Best Bets – Cash Box – July 25, 1964
‘Out of Sight’ by James Brown = ‘Regional Breakout’ in Baltimore, St. Louis & NYC – Billboard – Aug. 8, 1964
Review = ‘Last Kiss’ by Wayne Cochran – Cash Box – Aug. 15, 1964
Morris Levy buys Doris Gee Music, previously jointly owned by Levy & Henry Glover – Cash Box – Aug. 22, 1964
“The James Brown Case” [King vs. Mercury lawsuit] from Bob Rolontz’s ‘Man About Music’ column – Music Business – Aug. 22, 1964
Front-page ad = ‘Out of Sight’ by James Brown – Billboard – Sep. 5, 1964
“Country Goes Color on Crosley TV Net” = new ‘Jamboree’ weekday show – Billboard – Sep. 5, 1964
‘I Found a Love – Oh What a Love’ by Jo Ann (Campbell) and Troy (Seals) – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Oct. 24, 1964
“King Wins [James] Brown Suit” – Billboard – Oct. 24, 1964
“[Hal] Neely Joins Starday” – Music Business – Oct. 24, 1964
”Hal Neely Joins Starday” – Record World – Oct. 24, 1964
“Hal Neely Named Gen. Mgr. of Starday” – Cash Box – Oct. 24, 1964
“Neely Goes to Starday” – Billboard – Oct. 31, 1964
“Music City Recorders – Ray Pennington” – Nashville Tennessean – Nov. 1, 1964
“Pamper [Music] Sets R&B Dept” = Ray Pennington to head new division [PHOTO] – Record World – Nov. 7, 1964
“King Sellling LPs, 45s Under Consignment Deal” – Cash Box – Nov. 21, 1964
“Consignment Policy at King” – Record World – Nov. 28, 1964
Canada News = regional buzz around ‘A Love Oh What a Love’ by Jo Ann (Campbell) & Troy (Seals) – Cash Box – Dec. 19, 1964
“Mercury, Handelman Making Bid for King-Lois” – Billboard – Dec. 26, 1964

Recordings, publishing + King plant for a reported $1,250,000

1965

“Victor Beefs Up Nashville Engineering” – Chuck Seitz, senior engineer, nominated for Grammy – Billboard – Apr. 24, 1965
PHOTO = Chuck Seitz, with Al Hirt and Chet Atkins posing with two Gold Records – Record World – Apr. 24, 1965
News = Syd Nathan back at the helm after ‘siege’ of illness – Billboard – May 29, 1965
“Syd Nathan Takes Hold Again of King” – Billboard – July 3, 1965
James Brown’s ‘Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag’ = popular with juke box ops – Cash Box – July 10, 1965
“Pamper Taps Smith; to Head R&B Drive” = Ray Pennington signs Otis Williams – Billboard – July 24, 1965
Full-page ad = James Brown “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” – Billboard – July 31, 1965

“Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” by James Brown = #1 R&B hit – Billboard – Aug. 14, 1965
“Baldwin Buys [Burns Guitars] Firm” – Billboard – Oct. 23, 1965 [Baldwin also acquired Gretsch in 1967]
“[Jim] Wilson Starday’s Veep of Marketing” – Record World – Nov. 20, 1965

1966

“I Got You” by James Brown — #3 Billboard pop hit (1/1/66)

“Henry Glover Returns to Roulette as VP” – Cash Box – Jan. 29, 1966
“James Brown Sets James Crawford Production Deal with A&M + Omen” – Cash Box – Jan. 29, 1966
Lonnie Mack (‘Are You Guilty’) & Norma Tanega (‘Walking My Cat Named Dog’) – Best Bets – Cash Box – Feb. 12, 1966
‘Honest I Do’ by James Crawford (Omen production) – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Feb. 19, 1966
“King Re-inks [Charlie Moore & Bill Napier]” – Record World – April 16, 1966

James Brown in Paris to promote ‘Brand New Bag’ – Cash Box – Apr. 30, 1966
James Brown on the cover of Cash Box – Cash Box – May 7, 1966

“It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World”: #1 on the ‘Radio Active Chart’ (p. 10)

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is King-Cash-Box-image-1966-aa.jpg

[Ron Lenhoff] “Gateway A&R Chief” – Record World – May 14, 1966
News = Mexican artist [Tommy Lopez] who covers JB’s ‘Brand New Bag’ – Cash Box – July 9, 1966
‘Wildwood Flower’ by Lonnie Mack – a Best Bet – Cash Box – July 23, 1966
Baldwin music amplifier ad = Johnny Paycheck endorsement – Billboard – Oct. 29, 1966
“Through the Years with Midwestern Hayride” by Bill McCluskey (WLW) – Billboard – Oct. 29, 1966

WLW‘s ‘Midwestern Hayride‘

Billboard World of Country Music – Oct. 29, 1966

‘Presenting the James Brown Show’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – Nov. 5, 1966
‘Christmas Tears’ by Freddy King – a Christmas pick – Cash Box – Dec. 10, 1966
News = Syd Nathan has hired Bill ‘Bunky’ Sheppard – Record World – Dec. 24, 1966
Country Profile = Kenny Price (Boone Records) – Billboard – Dec. 24, 1966

Baldwin advertisement – c. 1966

1967

“William (Bunky) Sheppard Heads King A&R” – Record World – Jan. 28, 1967
“[Columbia] Buys ‘That Girl’ Disk by New Lime” = produced by Shad O’Shea – Billboard – Feb. 11, 1967
“Royal Ruckus” = Two competing versions of Prince Buster’s ‘Ten Commandments’ – RCA vs King [see additional info] – Record World – Feb. 18, 1967
“Ten Commandments” by Princess Buster – a Four Star Pick – Record World – Feb. 18, 1967
‘Think’ by James Brown & Vicki Anderson – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Feb. 25, 1967
“Trinity Distributes King in NY” – Record World – Apr. 1, 1967
‘Stone Fox’ by James Crawford – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Apr. 22, 1967
‘Save Your Money’ by Lonnie Mack – a Pick of the Week’ – Cash Box – May. 27, 1967
“Columbia to Release Two R&B & Country LP’s From King” – Billboard – July 8, 1967
‘Cold Sweat‘ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – July 15, 1967

‘Tears of Joy’ by Vicki Anderson – a Best Bet – Cash Box – July 15, 1967
“King of King’s 25^th Year” = Si Cornell’s ‘The Town’s Talking’ column – Cincinnati Post Times-Star – July 21, 1967
King Records 25^th Anniversary = “Syd Nathan Crowned King of King at Surprise Birthday Party” (100,000 copies of “Cold Sweat” shipped that day) – Record World – Aug. 12, 1967
“The Hollywood Label Story – Nashville Expected to Become a Rhythm & Blues Center” = Don Pierce + Hal Neely & Jim Wilson – Record World – Aug. 12, 1967
‘Hey Conductor’ by Sonny Flaharty & the Mark V – a Top 60 Pop Spotlight – Billboard – Aug. 12, 1967
Review = ‘Hey Conductor’ by Sonny Flaharty & the Mark V – Cash Box – Aug. 12, 1967
‘Cold Sweat’ by James Brown – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – Aug. 19, 1967
James Brown’s ‘Cold Sweat’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – Aug. 26, 1967
“King Offers 100% Dollar Exchange on JB ‘Cold Sweat’ hit” – Cash Box – Sep. 16, 1967
‘Cold Sweat’ by James Brown = #1 R&B hit – Billboard – Sep. 16, 1967
‘If You Love Me’ by Marva Whitney – a ‘Newcomer Pick’ – Cash Box – Sep. 23, 1967
‘Funky Soul #1’ by Bobby Byrd & The Dapps – one of ‘Best Bets’ – Cash Box – Sep. 30, 1967
Chuck Seitz referenced in “The Unsung Heroes” – Billboard – Oct. 28, 1967 [annual ‘World of Country Music’]
‘I’ll Work It Out’ by James Crawford – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Nov. 4, 1967
“Bob Shreve – Cincinnati’s Most Entertaining Bartender” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 7, 1967
Review – ‘She Cried Just a Minute’ by Charles Spurling – Cash Box – Dec. 2, 1967
‘Cold Sweat’ by James Brown – #6 R&B hit of 1967 – Cash Box – Dec. 23, 1967

1968

Marva Whitney’s ‘Unwind Yourself’ – one of ‘Best Bet’ 45s + ‘Pretty’ Purdie – Cash Box – Jan. 13, 1968
‘Bringing Up the Guitar’ by The Dapps – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Feb. 3, 1968
Review = ‘That Woman’ by Charles Spurling – Cash Box – Feb. 3, 1968
‘There Was a Time’ by James Brown = #2 R&B hit – Record World – Feb. 10, 1968
James Brown’s ‘Show of Tomorrow’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – Feb. 17, 1968
‘Shout Bamalama’ by Otis Redding (King) – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Feb. 24, 1968
Full-page ad = Marva Whitney + “James Brown Production Pushes Marva, Bobby Byrd & Dapps” – Record World – Feb. 24, 1968

Obituary = Syd Nathan – American Israelite – Mar. 4, 1968
“Country Music King Dies of Heart Ailment” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 6, 1968
“Services Thursday for Sydney Nathan” – Cincinnati Post Times-Star – Mar. 6, 1968
“James Brown in Africa Concert” – Record World – Mar. 9, 1968
‘I Got the Feeling’ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 9, 1968
Obituary = Syd Nathan – Billboard – Mar. 16, 1968
Obituary = Syd Nathan – Cash Box – Mar. 16, 1968
Obituary = Syd Nathan – Record World – Mar. 16, 1968
“James Crawford Appointed to Promo Post @ Duke-Peacock” – Cash Box – Mar. 16, 1968
‘You’ve Got the Power’ by Vicki Anderson & James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 30, 1968
Baldwin “Pick on Us” guitar ad = exclusive distributor of Sho-Bud steel guitars – Billboard – Apr. 6, 1968
“King to Stay Under Same Reign” – Billboard – Apr. 27, 1968
“K & S [Recording] Studios Bow in Cincy” – Record World – May 25, 1968

‘Things Got to Get Better’ by Marva Whitney – a ‘Best Bet’ – Cash Box – June 8, 1968
‘There Was a Time’ by The Dapps Featuring Alfred Ellis – a Best Bet – Cash Box – June 15, 1968
“Job Corps Receives Guitars From Baldwin” – Billboard – Aug. 3, 1968
“James Brown, Joey Bishop – ‘Man to Man'” + Marva Whitney & The Dapps – Record World – Aug. 17, 1968
‘I’ll Work It Out’ by Marva Whitney – a ‘Best Bet’ – Cash Box – Aug. 24, 1968
‘I’m Tired I’m Tired I’m Tired’ by Marva Whitney – a ‘Best Bet’ – Cash Box – Oct. 12, 1968
“Starday Buys King Records” – Nashville Tennessean – Oct. 19, 1968
“Tennessee Firm Buys King Records” – Cincinnati Post – Oct. 22, 1968
“King Mgt., Operation to Pierce and Neely” – Billboard – Oct. 26, 1968
“James Brown’s Bag” by Ira Gitler – Downbeat – Oct. 31, 1968
“Starday Buys King – James Brown, Staff Stay” – Record World – Nov. 2, 1968
“King Sold to Starday – James Brown Part of New Setup” – Cash Box – Nov. 2, 1968
“King Records Sold Again” – Cincinnati Post – Nov. 14, 1968
“Lin Acquires Two Recording Firms” – Shreveport Journal – Nov. 14, 1968
“’Lin Broadcasting Buys Starday-King for $5 Mil; Execs, Policy Retained” – Billboard – Nov. 23, 1968
“’68 Buying Spree Continues” = Lin Broadcasting buys Starday for est. $5 Million – Henry Glover, NY manager – Cash Box – Nov. 23, 1968
“Lin Broadcasting Acquires Starday-King” – Record World – Nov. 23, 1968
Review = James Brown & Dapps Madison Square Garden (11-22-68) show – Cash Box – Dec. 7, 1968
“Ray Pennington Signs Monument Pacts as Artist & Producer” – new acts include Troy Seals – Cash Box – Dec. 14, 1968
Bios of James Brown & other ‘leading artists of 1968‘ – Cash Box – Dec. 28, 1968

Cash Box (Dec. 28, 1968)

1969

“March Is James Brown Month” [below] – Record World – Feb. 1, 1969
“Starday’s Trust Fund Pays Employees $380,000” – Record World – Mar. 22, 1969
Starday-King announces payouts of $380,000 to 22 employees following sale to Lin Broadcasting – Cash Box – Mar. 29, 1969
“King Holds Sales Meets” – James Brown staff & Hal Neely – Record World – Mar. 29, 1969
“Starday-King 1st Qtr Net Hits $250,000” + Henry Glover named VP – Cash Box – May 17, 1969
‘The Popcorn’ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – May 17, 1969
“Henson Cargill to Host [Avco’s] Midwestern Hayride” – Cash Box – May 31, 1969
‘Mother Popcorn’ by James Brown – a pick of the week – Cash Box – June 7, 1969
‘Where the Soul Trees Grow’ by Arthur Prysock – Choice Programming – Cash Box – June 21, 1969
‘Just a Phone Call Will Do’ by Don Reno & Bill Harrell – a Best Bet – Cash Box – June 28, 1969
James Brown & Marva Whitney @ Newport Jazz Fest – Cash Box – July 19, 1969
“Los Angeles Honors James Brown for Civic & Philanthropic Work’ – Cash Box – July 19, 1969

“Avco to Air Midwestern Hayride Special” with new host Henson Cargill – Cash Box – Aug. 2, 1969
‘Mother Popcorn’ by James Brown – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – Aug. 9, 1969
James Brown’s ‘Lowdown Popcorn’ – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 16, 1969
‘One Woman’ by Pat Lundy – ‘Choice Programming’ – Cash Box – Aug. 16, 1969
Henry Glover quoted in “Flipside = Blacks Sing Country Music” by Arnold Shaw – Billboard – Aug. 16, 1969
James Brown’s ‘Popcorn’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – Sep. 20, 1969
‘I Made a Mistake’ by Marva Whitney – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 27, 1969
James Brown’s ‘Lowdown Popcorn’ – #30 R&B hit + “Black Panther LP Set for Release” – Cash Box – Oct. 4, 1969
James Brown’s ‘Let a Man Come In & Do the Popcorn’ – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Oct. 4, 1969
“New Wayne Cochran Firm for TV-Film Vehicles” – Cash Box – Oct. 11, 1969

Full-page ad – Billboard – Oct. 18, 1969

“Starday-King Gets It Together in Big Way” – Record World – Oct. 18, 1969
“Independent Fledging Giants” [including Starday-King] – Billboard – Oct. 18, 1969 [photo below from World of Country Music supplement]

Starday-King sales executive, Tina Drake, with Hal Neely & Jim Wilson

“Hal Neely Joins Starday” – Record World – Oct. 24, 1969
‘Ain’t It Funky Now’ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Nov. 8, 1969
Starday-King flies 30 guests for Wayne Cochran @ Flamingo, Las Vegas – Cash Box – Nov. 8, 1969

“Mike Kelly Starday-King Eastern Promo Director” – Record World – Nov. 15, 1969
“Tuning In On … WLW-Cincinnati Image Shattering” – Cash Box – Nov. 22, 1969
Starday-King’s Dexter Shaffer: “We prefer to create our product in Nashville, Cincy, Macon and Albuquerque” (closer to original talent from the “non-metropolitan areas”) – Billboard – Dec. 13, 1969
“Starday-King Expands to NY, LA; Studios Grow” – Billboard – Dec. 20, 1969

1970

Marva Whitney (King) & James Duncan (Federal) 45s – ‘Choice Programming’ – Cash Box – Jan. 10, 1970
“Starday-King Signs 4 Names for Emerging Adult Market” – Cash Box – Jan. 24, 1970
“8 From Starday-King” (including Redd Foxx + ‘Honky Tonk Popcorn’ by Bill Doggett) – Cash Box – Feb. 14, 1970
James Brown’s ‘Ain’t It Funky’ LP – a Pop Pick – Cash Box – Feb. 21, 1970
Marva Whitney (King) & Pat Lundy (DeLuxe) 45s – ‘Choice Programming’ – Cash Box – Feb. 21, 1970
News = Tokyo Happy Coats record tracks at Cincinnati’s King Studio – Cash Box – Feb. 28, 1970
News = Carolyn Blakey 45 for James Brown Productions – Cash Box – Mar. 7, 1970
‘Prove It’ by Pat Lundy – ‘Choice Programming’ – Cash Box – Mar. 14, 1970
‘Gonna Leave You Alone’ by James Duncan (Federal) – Choice Programming – Cash Box – Mar. 21, 1970
Polydor News = Warped’s Elliott Mazer & Kenny Buttrey produce latest by Troy Seals of the ‘funk-rock’ school – Cash Box – Mar. 21, 1970
“Starday-King Artist Roster Expands” – Tokyo Happy Coats – Record World – Mar. 28, 1970
“Starday-King Sets 29 LPs” – Cash Box – Mar. 28, 1970
“Starday, King Still Changing” – Billboard – April 25, 1970 (special Nashville supplement)
“Starday-King Realigns NY Operations” – Henry Glover – Cash Box – May 23, 1970
“Starday-King Signs The Establishment” – Record World – May 23, 1970
Cincinnati news = King session with Carolyn Blakey (under contract to Dennis Wholey) – Billboard – May 23, 1970
“Wayne Cochran Complex to Aid Ghetto Youth” – Cash Box – June 6, 1970
News = Wayne Cochran filmed scene for ‘CC Riders’ movie with Joe Namath – Cash Box – June 13, 1970
News = Mayf Nutter to Record for Starday-King for two years under special arrangement with (Zappa’s) Straight Records – Billboard – June 30, 1970
‘I’m Your Special Fool’ by Pat Lundy – ‘Choice Programming’ – Cash Box – June 27, 1970
‘Sex Machine’ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – July 11, 1970
Cincinnati News = Kenny Price to succeed Henson Cargill as ‘Midwestern Hayride’ host + Jim Tarbell reopens Ludlow Garage with Larry Goshorn & Albritton McClain – Billboard – July 18, 1970
News = Chet Atkins to be guest on first episode of ‘Midwestern Hayride’ hosted by Kenny Price – Cash Box – July 25, 1970
Review = Debut LP by Jellyroll (featuring Roger Troy) – Record World – July 25, 1970
‘Sex Machine’ by James Brown – #2 R&B hit – Cash Box – Aug. 8, 1970
“Don Pierce Exits Starday” – Billboard – Aug. 8, 1970
“Jim Tarbell – He Still Has Rock In His Head” by Jim Knippenberg – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 9, 1970
“Thinking About Bud Hobgood” by Dennis Wholey – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 9, 1970
“Buddy Scott [Resigns From Starday-King] Opens Indie Firm in NY” – Cash Box – Aug. 15, 1970
“Don Pierce Exits Starday-King” – Record World – Aug. 15, 1970
“Don Pierce Exits Starday-King” – Cash Box – Aug. 15, 1970
“Starday-King, Trend Setter” – Record World – Aug. 22, 1970
James Brown = 1970’s Top R&B Male Vocalist – Cash Box – Aug. 22, 1970
‘Sex Machine‘ by James Brown – #1 R&B hit – Cash Box – Aug. 22, 1970

Photo = Arthur Prysock & Hal Neely – Nashville Tennessean – Sep. 8, 1970
“Midnight Show @ Playhouse in Park with the Midnighters” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Sep. 10, 1970
“1970: A Key Year of Growth” by Hal Neely – Record World – Oct. 17, 1970

1971

“Tony & Carol Bow on King” – Record World – Feb. 6, 1971
“Carlson’s Fraternity” by Tom McElfresh – Cincinnati Enquirer – Feb. 7, 1971
“Bob Patton of James Brown Organization joins Starday-King” – Cash Box – Feb. 20, 1971
Music Hall concert salute to Harry Carlson of Fraternity” + Henry Glover flies tapes of Tony & Carol’s debut single to Cincinnati – Cash Box – Feb. 20, 1971

“King Coleman to Join James Brown Organization” – Cash Box – Mar. 13, 1971
“Starday-King Forms Agape, a New Label” – Billboard – Mar. 20, 1971
“James Brown Album [Grodeck Whipperjenny] Aimed at Underground” – Cash Box – Mar. 20, 1971
News = Henry Glover co-produced Drew David session in Nashville with Hal Neely – Billboard – Mar. 27, 1971
Photo = Hal Neely & Myrna March (Agape) & Boots Randolph – Cash Box – Apr. 17, 1971
“Starday-King to Handle New Pride Label” – Cash Box – Apr. 17, 1971
‘Touch & Understand Love’ by Myrna March (Agape) – Choice Programming – Cash Box – Apr. 17, 1971
‘I Cried’ by James Brown – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 24, 1971
‘Soul Sauce’ = Polydor in negotiations for Starday-King – Billboard – July 3, 1971
“Brown to Polydor in 5 Year Pact; Buys Pub” +”Starday-King Undergoing Revamping; Personnel Pared” – Billboard – July 24, 1971
‘Soul Sauce’ column = King keeps ‘Hot Pants’ & ‘Escapism’ – Polydor gets the rest – Billboard – July 24, 1971
“James Brown to Polydor” – Cash Box – July 24, 1971
‘Hot Pants’ by James Brown = #1 Soul hit – Billboard – Aug. 7, 1971
News = Gene Lawson joins Counterpart Studios as engineer + The Heywoods on tour with Osmonds + Wayne Perry & Randy McNutt at Jewel mixing ‘Pain’ & ‘Good Time’ – Billboard – Aug. 7, 1971
News = Shad O’Shea’s 16-track Counterpart Studios has opened + rites held for King Curtis (one-time King artist) – Billboard – Aug. 28, 1971
“Starday-King Sold by Lin by $1.4M” – Nashville Tennessean – Sep. 22, 1971
“Starday-King Music Complex Acquired by Four Music Men [Leiber, Stoller, Neely & Bienstock]” – Cash Box – Oct. 2, 1971
“Starday-King Pubs Sold for $1.4 Mil” – Billboard – Oct. 2, 1971
Chuck Seitz referenced in “Nashville’s Unsung Heroes Are Its Studio Engineers” – Billboard – Oct. 16, 1971 [annual ‘World of Country Music’]
‘I’m a Greedy Man’ by James Brown – Top 60 Pop Spotlight – Billboard – Nov. 6, 1971
“Coasters Back on King Label” – ‘Love Potion’+’DW Washburn’ 1st single – Cash Box – Nov. 13, 1971
Full-page ad = ‘Love Potion #9‘ by The Coasters – Cash Box – Nov. 13, 1971

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News = Bobby Smith adding 16-track board at Macon, GA Starday-King studio – Record World – Nov. 20, 1971
Full-page ad = Manhattans 45 + Hodges, James Smith & Crawford 45 on new Mpingo subsidiary – Record World – Dec. 11, 1971
Review = Hodges, James Smith & Crawford are “the r&b answer to Hamilton, Joe Frank & Reynolds” – Cash Box – Dec. 25, 1971
‘Mother Popcorn’ by James Brown – #8 R&B song of 1969 – Cash Box – Dec. 25, 1971
“King of the Blues Pt. 1” by Steve Tracy – Blues Unlimited – December 1971

1972

“King of the Blues Pt. 2” by Steve Tracy – Blues Unlimited – January 1972
Hodges, James Smith & Crawford 45 (Mpingo) – a Hit of the Week – Record World – Jan. 1, 1972
Leiber, Stoller, Bienstock buy material for their Hudson Bay song catalog – Cash Box – Jan. 22, 1972
“International Copyright to Hudson Bay” – Billboard – Jan. 22, 1972
News = “acceptance is at hand” for new Starday-King distributed label, Mpingo – Billboard – Jan. 22, 1972
“James Brown Moves Hdqtrs to Augusta GA Home Town” – Cash Box – Jan. 29, 1972
“King of the Blues Pt. 3” by Steve Tracy – Blues Unlimited – Feb- Mar 1972
Ad = King equipment for sale (pressing, printing, etc) – Billboard – Feb. 5, 1972

Cincinnati news = Shad O’Shea’s Counterpart Studios launched 8 months ago + Rusty York’s Jewel Studios records Albert Washington’s latest – Billboard – Feb. 12, 1972
“Billy Ward & the Dominoes” – Big Town Review – Feb/Mar 1972 (vol. 1, no. 1)
Polydor announces James Brown ‘Soul Classics’ 45 series – Cash Box – Mar. 4, 1972
“Starday-King Wraps Up Ross Distribution Deal” – Billboard – Mar. 11, 1972
“Starday to Distribute Hopi [New Label]” – Billboard – Apr. 1, 1972
‘Cool Jerk’ by The Coasters – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Apr. 8, 1972
“Avco’s Credo – Produce Shows Live for TV” by Bill Sachs [four shows beamed over WLW-T & affiliates: ’50-50 Club’ with Bob Braun; ‘Paul Dixon Show’; ‘Midwestern Hayride’ & ‘Phil Donahue Show’]– Billboard – Apr. 15, 1972
“Starday-King Broadens Activities” – Cash Box – Apr. 15, 1972
“Starday-King Reshapes” = Cincinnati phased out + new labels (Hopi, Mandala, Good Medicine, Mpingo) – Billboard – Apr. 15, 1972
News = Jim Roundtree’s truck driving 45 on Rusty York’s Jewel label + Counterpart studio sessions with Sonny Flaharty & Hopple St Exit (et al) – Billboard – Apr. 15, 1972
News = Bob Braun single recorded at Counterpart + Line-up of George Wein’s Ohio Valley Jazz Fest + Kenny Smith’s new 45 on General American – Billboard – Apr. 29, 1972
“Mandala Records Goes Thru Starday-King” – Cash Box – Apr. 29, 1972
“Starday-King Mandala Deal” – Billboard – Apr. 29, 1972
“Starday-King’s 7 New Distributors” – Billboard – Apr. 29, 1972
‘Jealous’ by Little Royal (Tri Us) – Choice Programming – Cash Box – May 6, 1972
News = Hal Neely announces distribution agreement with Mandala and artist roster – Billboard – May 6, 1972
News = ‘Midwestern Hayride’ host Kenny Price completed two-week tour with Ernest Tubb & Texas Troubadours and Joe & Rosa Lee Maphis + Sonny Flaharty signs with General American – Billboard – June 10, 1972
“Rock & Roll … From the Beginning” – Billboard – June 17, 1972
“Buck Ram and the Platters” by Steve Wasserman – Bim Bam Boom – July 1972
Full-page James Brown promotional ad [above] with Lyn Collins, Bobby Byrd, Hank Ballard & (the new single by) the James Brown Soul Train – Cash Box – July 1, 1972

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‘Think’ by Lyn Collins – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 12, 1972
“AVCO Drops Country TVer” [Midwestern Hayride, formerly Boone County Jamboree – since 1948] – Billboard – Aug. 12, 1972
Cincinnati news = Partridge Family put in 5 days at the new $30 million King’s Island amusement park for upcoming segment ‘I Left My Heart in Cincinnati’ – Billboard – Sep. 2, 1972
‘Good Foot’ Goes Gold + James Brown on tour with JB’s – Cash Box – Sep. 30, 1972
Boudleaux Bryant reminisces about jamming in Cincinnati [below] with WLW’s Homer, Jethro & Chet Atkins – Cash Box – Oct. 7, 1972

‘You’ll Lose a Good Thing’ by Little Royal (Tri Us) – Choice Programming – Cash Box – Nov. 11, 1972
‘Me & My Baby’ by Lyn Collins – a Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Nov. 11, 1972
“Starday Old King Gold R&B Set” – Cash Box – Nov. 18, 1972
“Starday-King 2^nd Oldies Set Issued” – Billboard – Nov. 28, 1972
“Starday-King Promo for Hard Rock Group Boot on Agape Subsidiary” – Cash Box – Dec. 2, 1972
“Starday-King Sets Gospel Release” – Record World – Dec. 2, 1972
“Starday-King Bows Oldies, Gospel Series” – Cash Box – Dec. 9, 1972
“Bio LPs Plug Mandala [dist. by Starday-King]” – Billboard – Dec. 16, 1972
“Red Sovine Returns to Starday-King” – Cash Box – Dec. 23, 1972

1973

Chappell ad = 10 Top 100 singles from 1972 are by James Brown artists – Cash Box – Jan. 20, 1973
“Atlantic Inks Troy Seals to Long-Term Exclusive Contract” – Cash Box – Jan. 20, 1973
“Nashville Publishers: Creative Forces” = King’s catalog “a strong one” with over 35,000 copyrights [“some 15,000 of them country”] – Billboard – Jan. 27, 1973
“Polydor/King Continue Ties on Global Basis” – Cash Box – Feb. 3, 1973
“Merle Kilgore Heads Starday-King Pub Companies” – Cash Box – Feb. 10, 1973
“King, Polydor Renew Pact” – Billboard – Feb. 17, 1973
James Brown’s ‘Black Caesar’ – a Pop Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Mar. 3, 1973
‘Black Caesar’ by James Brown doing record-breaking box office – Cash Box – Mar. 10, 1973
‘There’s a Honky Tonk Angel’ by Troy Seals – a Best Bet – Cash Box – Mar. 17, 1973
“Starday-King Expands Via Reconstruction” – Cash Box – Apr. 14, 1973
“QCA Releases Lonnie Mack—Rusty York LP” – Cash Box – Apr. 21, 1973

“Shepherd Heads Starday-King National Pop Promo” – Cash Box – May 12, 1973
“Shepherd to King Promo Post” – Record World – May 19, 1973
“Polydor Sets 5 LP Release” + JB’s 2nd solo LP – Cash Box – July 7, 1973
“James Brown’s [‘Doing It To Death’ by Fred Wesley & the JB’s] Single Certified Gold” – Cash Box – Aug. 4, 1973
‘Goodbye Sam’ by Shad O’Shea (on Plantation) – a Pick of the Week (“stunning allegory”) – Cash Box – Aug. 4, 1973
JB’s hilarious promotional stunt for ‘Slaughter’ LP – Cash Box – Aug. 18, 1973

Fred Wesley & the JB’s ‘If You Didn’t Get It the First Time, Back Up and Try Again’ 45 – Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Sep. 23, 1973
“Hal Neely on Starday-King (Tenuous) Relationship” – Cash Box – Sep. 29, 1973
“King-Starday Adds Progressive Label [Good Medicine]; Reshuffling Executives” – Billboard – Oct. 20, 1973

1974–1979

“Cincinnati Boogie Woogie” by Steve Tracy – Living Blues – Summer 1974
Review = Electric Flag’s 1974 LP The Band Kept Playing – with vocalist/bassist, Roger Troy – a Top Album Pick – Billboard – Sep. 9, 1974
“Columbia and Atlantic Ink Electric Flag” [with Roger Troy] – Cash Box – Sep. 21, 1974
“Gusto Leases King & Starday Masters” – Cash Box – Apr. 12, 1975
Henry Glover produces Muddy Waters at Woodstock LP with Levon Helm & friends – Cash Box – May 3, 1975
Lyn Collins’ take on Lowman Pauling’s ‘Baby Don’t Do It’ – Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Aug. 9, 1975
Roger Troy provides “melodic focus” on 3 songs, including title track of Tracy Nelson’s 1975 LP Sweet Soul Music – Record World – Sep. 20, 1975
“Red Sovine Re-Signs with Starday – Listeners Demand ‘Phantom’ Re-release” – Cash Box – Dec. 20, 1975
Brief history of Syd Nathan’s business partnership with Henry Stone – Cash Box – Mar. 27, 1976
Executive news = Judy Kreimer, former secretary to King’s Syd Nathan & Hal Neely, to join Cincinnati’s QCA overseeing publishing, royalties – Billboard – May 1, 1976
PHOTO = Chuck Seitz & Chet Atkins working the studio board – Billboard – May 8, 1976
‘Jaime’ by Blaze [Shad O’Shea/Stan Hertzman production] – a ‘First Time Around’ single pick – Billboard – July 24, 1976
News = Unfiltered profile of Ralph Bass in recent issue of UK’s Blues Unlimited – Cash Box – Sep. 4, 1976
“Gusto Continues to Expand” – Cash Box – Oct. 16, 1976
Review = Roger Troy’s RCA debut LP – a Billboard Recommended LP – Billboard – Nov. 6, 1976
Photo = RCA’s newly-signed artist, Roger Troy – Cash Box – Nov. 13, 1976
Full-page ad = Roger Troy’s debut solo LP – Cash Box – Nov. 20, 1976

Review = Roger Troy’s debut solo LP – Cash Box – Nov. 20, 1976
‘Don’t Put the Blame on Me’ by Roger Troy – a Single Pick of the Week – Cash Box – Dec. 4, 1976
“Clinton’s P-Funk + Bootsy’s Rubber Band” – Dayton OH Daily News – Mar. 10, 1977
News = [Former King engineer who worked 14 years as RCA Victor Nashville senior engineer in 25-year career] Chuck Seitz joins Cinti’s QCA to head up engineering – Cash Box – Mar. 12, 1977
“David Houston Inks Exclusive Deal with Gusto-Starday” – Cash Box – Apr. 23, 1977
‘Space Funk’ by Manzel (recorded at Shad O’Shea’s Counterpart) – a recommended ‘Disco’ single pick – Billboard – July 16, 1977
“QCA Opens New 24-Track Studio” – Chuck Seitz + Truck Driver’s poem – Cash Box – July 30, 1977
“Publisher [Counterpart Music] Sues Word In a Royalty Dispute” – Cash Box – Oct. 15, 1977
“Chuck Seitz named QCA’s VP for A&R” – Cash Box – Nov. 5, 1977
News = Chuck Seitz named as QCA’s VP for A&R – Billboard– Nov. 5, 1977
“Moe Lytle, Don Pierce, Tommy Hill & Starday-King” – Cash Box – Feb. 18, 1978
Henry Glover (et al) – BMI writers of 1977’s 100 most performed songs – Cash Box – Jun. 24, 1978
“UK’s Charly Records in Deal with Gusto of US” – Billboard – Aug. 19, 1978
“Charly Goes For Gusto” – Cash Box – Aug. 26, 1978
“Gusto Records Continues to Diversify in Many Directions” – Cash Box – Oct. 21, 1978
“Cincinnati Rockabilly” by Peggy Ligon with Ray Pennington – Goldmine – January 1979 (no. 32)
“New York Music Industry: A Historical Perspective” by Seymour Stein – Billboard – Sep. 29, 1979
Bootsy & Devo – ‘Ohio Weirdos’ in “Rock Oddities: Are They Here to Stay?” – Charlotte Observer – Oct. 22, 1979

1980s

Key quote in “Sire Records Expands Through Its Lengthy Involvement with the British Music Scene” by Seymour Stein [“At one meeting [EMI’s Len Wood] and Syd Nathan were heatedly debating King’s attempt to secure an option on all EMI repertoire if it was passed on by Capitol. Nathan did not succeed, but it was not until several years later that I realized how important this option could have been.” = see seed money for Sire] – Cash Box – Mar. 15, 1980
“James Brown’s ‘Live & Lowdown’ LP – Play It Once a Year’ – Louisville Courier-Journal – Nov. 16, 1980
“The Charts Are Alive With the Sound of Dayton” by Nelson George – Record World – Mar. 21, 1981
“When King Was King” by Randy McNutt & Steve Rosen – Cincinnati Enquirer – July 5, 1981
“Mr. Love Talks About Mr. Blues: Preston Love on Wynonie Harris” by Dan Kochakian – Whiskey, Women and … – March 1982
“A DeLuxe and Regal Feast: DeLuxe Records 1944-1949 (pt. 1)” by Bill Daniels – Whiskey, Women and … – July 1982
‘McLove Story’ by Shad O’Shea & the McHamburger Helpers – a Recommended 45 – Billboard – Aug. 28, 1982
“The Saga of Lovin’ Dan: A Study in the Iconography of Rhythm & Blues Music of the 1950s” by Mark J. Zucker – Journal of Popular Culture – Fall 1982
“Queen Records” by Bill Daniels – Whiskey, Women and … – June 1983
“BMI Adds 30 Songs to ‘Million-Air’ List” (including “Honky Tonk” by Billy Butler, Bill Doggett, Henry Glover, Clifford Scott & Shep Shepherd) – Billboard – Aug. 11, 1984
‘Honky Tonk’ by Bill Doggett one of BMI ‘Million-Airs’ honored – Cash Box – Sep. 22, 1984
“Bob Shreve – Late Night TV King Dethroned” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Sep. 13, 1985
“BIll Doggett & the Hit That Started in Lima OH” – Chicago Tribune – June 6, 1986
“James Brown Still Shining” – Louisville Courier-Journal – June 7, 1986
PHOTO = Producer Henry Glover receives award at NARAS annual luncheon – Billboard – Nov. 15, 1986
“’The Twist’ Turns 30” by John Swenson – UPI – Nov. 23, 1988
“Troy Seals, Eddie Setser & Oak Ridge Boys” – Nashville Tennessean – June 25, 1989
“Paul Gayten” by Billy Vera – Whiskey, Women and … – Fall 1989

1990s

“Listening to History (Syd Nathan, et al)” – Boston Globe – Jan. 13, 1991
Obituary = Henry Glover – Billboard – Apr. 20, 1991
“Syd Nathan – King of the Vinyl” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 5, 1991
“King’s Ruler Led His Vinyl Empire Into History Books” – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 6, 1991
Obituaries = Henry Glover & Leo Fender & Roger ‘Jellyroll’ Troy – Rolling Stone – May 16, 1991
“Bob Krasnow Mentions King Records” – Dayton OH Daily News – July 21, 1991
“Roots of Rock and Roll: Henry Glover at King Records” by John W. Rumble – Journal of Country Music – vol. 14, no. 2 – 1992
“Plenty of Inspiration for Indie Hopefuls [Oh Boy, Step One Share Secrets]”- Ray Pennington (Step One Records) says he learned the music business from indie pioneer, Syd Nathan – Billboard – May 30, 1992
“Little Willie John’s ‘Fever’ Rides Charts” – Staunton VA News – Aug. 28, 1992
“The Majestic Sound of the Five Royales” by Eddie Huffman – Goldmine – Feb. 18, 1993
“Rhino [King series] Unearths Some R & B Royalty” by Joel Selvin – San Francisco Chronicle – Mar. 13, 1994
“Rhino Records Reissues King (Rodney Dangerfield of labels)” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Apr. 19, 1994
“Record Label Reissues a Treasured Collection of Rhythm-and-Blues” by Peter Watrous – NY Times – June 9, 1994
“Film Songs Score Wins; [Henry] Glover Estate Files Suit” – Billboard – June 11, 1994
“King-Sized-Dreams” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 6, 1994
“Royal Legacy – Five Cincinnati Labels Follow Lead of King” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 7, 1994
Indie Spotlight = “Shad O’Shea – He Does Do It All” – Cash Box – Dec. 10, 1994

“Rock & Roll Hall Ignores Session Musicians (& Syd Nathan)” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Jan. 14, 1996
“Music Just Part of New [R&B] Box Set on King Records” by Chris Morris – Billboard – Mar. 9, 1996
King R&B Box Set – Robert Hilburn review – Los Angeles Times – June 14, 1996
“Rock Hall to Induct Local Men” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Sep. 20, 1996
“King Records’ Totals Add Up to City History” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 14, 1996
“King Records Plant Touches Soul in City” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 21, 1996
Obituary = Bill Doggett by Chris Morris – Billboard – Nov. 30, 1996
Joel Selvin’s ‘Q&A with Charles Brown’ – San Francisco Examiner – Dec. 15, 1996
“King Records Rocks Into History” by Rick Kennedy – Cincinnati Magazine – January 1997
“King Exhibit @ Rock & Roll Hall” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Jan. 24, 1997
“The Precarious Position of the African-American Entrepreneur in Post-WWII American Pop Music by David Sanjek – American Music Journal – Winter 1997 (vol. 15, no. 4)
“The Man Who Was King” by Darren Blase – CityBeat – March 19, 1997
“Rock Hails a King” by Rick Bird – Cincinnati Post – May 2, 1997
“Bootsy Collins’ King-Sized Break” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 4, 1997
“King of Cincinnati Sound – Sydney Nathan Enters Rock and Roll Hall” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 4, 1997
“Syd Nathan to Get Spot in Rock Hall” – Columbus Dispatch – May 4, 1997
“Ohio Legend in Rock & Roll Hall” – Richmond IN Palladium-Item – May 4, 1997
“Bootsy @ Rock & Roll Hall” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 7, 1997
“Hall of Fame Inductions Emphasize Unity” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 7, 1997
“James Brown to Visit King Site” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – June 5, 1997
“King Visit Soul Shocks Brown” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – June 6, 1997
“James Brown Wants to Re-Open King” – Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune – June 6, 1997
“Rhythm-and-Jews: The Story of the Blacks and Jews Who Worked Together to Create the Magic of R&B” by Mark Lisheron – CommonQuest: The Magazine of Black-Jewish Relations – Summer 1997 (vol. 2, no. 1)
“R&R Hall Faces Money, Growth & Integrity Issues” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 31, 1997
Seymour Stein acknowledges Sire as a tribute to “Syd Nathan and King Records” in “The Album Network’s 120 Influential People” by Kevin Stapleford – Album Network – July 1, 1998
Review – ‘James Brown – Say It Live & Loud’ + Psychodots Official Bootleg – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 2, 1998
Review – Randy McNutt’s ‘Little Labels, Big Sound’ – Cincinnati Enquirer – Apr. 11, 1999
Randy McNutt’s ‘Little Labels, Big Sound’ – book review – San Francisco Examiner – July 25, 1999
Skyline Chili’s 50th Anniversary Music Mix – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 10, 1999

2000s

Ralph Stanley profile by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Jan. 25, 2001
“James Brown Replaces Isleys @ Taste Fest” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 25, 2001
James Brown @ Apollo II album – Larry Nager’s review – Cincinnati Enquirer – July 22, 2001
“Funk Legend Bootsy Chills in Rural Ohio Studio” – Windsor [Can.] Star – Aug. 28, 2001
“Bootsy Collins – Living Legend” – Southtown Star [Chicago] – Sep. 9, 2001
“Musicians Sought for King CD” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 17, 2001
“Dick Clark Mentions Syd Nathan” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Jan. 6, 2002
“Cammys to Feature King Tribute” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Jan. 20, 2002
“King of the Session Drummers (Philip Paul)” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 8, 2002
“Mr. Brown“: 20-pg James Brown profile by Philip Gourevitch – New Yorker – July 28, 2014
“Proposed Marker for King” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 1, 2002
“Mayersons Philanthropy – Hidden Treasures Project” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 29, 2002
“Famous Flames Reuniting” by Hal Lamar – Atlanta Voice – Sep. 21, 2002
“King CD – A Worthy Tribute” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 13, 2002
“The Label That Would Be King” by Barry Mazor – No Depression – Jan/Feb 2003
“Cammy Awards – King History” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 9, 2003
“Otis Williams Charmed Life” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Enquirer – Apr. 10, 2003
“King’s Memory May Be Preserved in Museum” – Coshocton OH Tribune – Apr. 27, 2003
“Fans Want to Rescue King Building” – Lancaster OH Eagle-Gazette – May 4, 2003
James Brown Live @ Apollo LP – ‘Celebrating NYC’s Musical Heritage’ – New York Daily News – Apr. 5, 2004
“Henry Glover – The Man Behind the Scenes” by Stephen Koch – Arkansas Times – Mar. 3, 2005
“Bootsy Collins Working on King Records Documentary” by CE Hanifin – Cincinnati Enquirer – Apr. 15, 2005
“Thousand Tears Too Late” – Cincinnati Soul exhibit at Contemporary Arts Ctr. – Cincinnati Magazine – Oct. 1, 2005
“Students & Bootsy Help Shelter Get Back on Beat” by Jennifer Mrozowski – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 27, 2005
“Shining a Light on Cincy Soul” = Kenny Smith profile by Brian Baker – City Beat – May 17, 2006
Obituary = James Brown by Gregory Korte – Cincinnati Enquirer – Dec. 26, 2006
Obituary = James Brown by Cliff White – The Guardian – Dec. 26, 2006
Obituary = James Brown by Jon Pareles – New York Times – Dec. 26, 2006
‘The Payback‘ – An Oral History (featuring Bootsy, et al) – Entertainment Weekly – c. 2006

“Prairie Home Companion in Cincinnati (King Records)” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Dec. 31, 2006
Russ Solomon (Tower Records) = “Ahmet Ertegun invented the record business with people like Syd Nathan at King Records and the Chess Bros and the Greenes at Mercury” – Billboard – Feb. 24, 2007
“Frank Wood – The Rebellion Began 40 Years Ago – The Story of WEBN” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Gentlemen – Jul/Aug 2007
“Blues Fest Tribute to King Records” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 5, 2007
“The King Is Dead – Long Live the King” by Larry Nager – Cincinnati Magazine – Mar. 2008
“Shellac In My Veins” – Seymour Stein @ King Records – Cincinnati Magazine – Mar. 2008
“Ed Conley & Philip Paul” by Rick Bird – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 4, 2008
“King Records 65th Anniversary Events” – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 7, 2008
“King Records – Cincinnati Legacy exhibition @ Library” – Cincinnati Enquirer – July 30, 2008
“King Records to Finally Get Its Due” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 9, 2008
“The King of Them All” [historic marker] by Rick Bird – CityBeat – Nov. 19, 2008
“King Honored with Historic Marker” by Cliff Radel – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 24, 2008
“Rocking Cincinnati’s R&B Cradle – Syd Nathan & King Records” by R.J. Smith – New York Times – Jan. 23, 2009
“A Blast From the Past” – Dave Alvin on King Records” by Bill Thompson – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 12, 2009
“King of the Queen City” – feature article – Sacramento Bee – Sep. 7, 2009
“Cincinnati Pops – King Tribute” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 13, 2009
“King of the Queen City” – book review – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 16, 2009
“Singing Bootsy’s Song” by Lauren Bishop – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 8, 2009
“Herzog Studio Is Sacred Ground” (historical marker) by Rick Bird – CityBeat – Nov. 16, 2009
“Moving Toward a King Record Museum” by Steven Rosen – CityBeat – Dec. 16, 2009
Obituary = Hal Neely (“His Influence Is on Your iPod“) – Tampa Bay Times – Dec. 31, 2009
Obituary = Phelps ‘Catfish’ Collins by Patrick Doyle – Rolling Stone – Aug. 9, 2010
Obituary = Phelps ‘Catfish’ Collins by Garth Cartwright – The Guardian – Sep. 14, 2010
“The 50 Greatest Pop Songs Recorded in Cincinnati” by Chris Varias – Cincinnati Magazine – Nov. 2010
“King Records’ Syd Nathan Was Decades Ahead of the Competition” by Bruce Sylvester – Goldmine Magazine – July 2011
“Seymour Stein – Shellac In His Veins” – Billboard – Jan. 28, 2012
James Brown ‘Live at the Apollo’ – A Tribute by James Maycock – Guardian – Oct. 24, 2012
“Funk Legend Bootsy Visits Coliseum” – Newport News VA Daily News – Feb. 1, 2013
“Playwright KJ Sanchez Q&A – King Records” – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 5, 2013
“The Lonesome Ballad of Cowboy Copas” by Darren Blase – Cincinnati Magazine – Aug. 2013
“King Records 70th Anniversary @ Library” – Indian Hill Journal – Sep. 19, 2013
“Chuck Seitz – The Man Who Fixed ‘James Brown Live @ the Apollo’ LP” by Rich Shivener – Cincinnati Magazine – Dec. 2013
“The ‘Q’ Stands for ‘Quality’: How Queen City Album (QCA) Got Its Groove Back” by Maria Seda-Reeder – City Beat – Apr. 16, 2014
Obituary = Henry Stone by Bruce Weber – New York Times – Aug. 13, 2014
“James Brown: An Oral History From His Bandmates” by Michael Dunaway – Paste Magazine – October 2014
“Charles Brown’s Christmas Classic” by Steven Rosen – Cincinnati Enquirer – Dec. 21, 2014
“Planning Commission Approves Historic Designation for King Records Buildings” by Tana Weingartner – WVXU – Aug. 20, 2015
“Supporters: King Records Deserves Landmark Status” by Bowdeya Tweh – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 21, 2015
“Step Towards Landmark Status for King” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Aug. 22, 2015
Charles Spurling history event @ Main Library – Cincinnati Enquirer – Sep. 6, 2015
“Cincinnati Council to Vote on King Records Historic Designation” by Jay Hanselman – WVXU – Oct. 5, 2015
“King Records Now a City Landmark” by Bowdeya Tweh – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 6, 2015
“King Records Site Up for Landmark Vote” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Oct. 7, 2015
“Cincinnati Council Gives Former King Records Site Historic Designation” by Jay Hanselman – WVXU – Oct. 7, 2015
“What Will It Take to Save King Records?” by R.J. Smith – Cincinnati Magazine – Jan. 5, 2016
“King Artists Honored for Black History Month” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 12, 2016
“Enquirer Throwback – King Records” – Cincinnati Enquirer – June 9, 2016
The State Ex Rel. Dynamic Industries, Inc., Appellant, v. The City of Cincinnati – Justia US Law – submitted Aug. 30, 2016; decided November 10, 2016 [case no. 2016-0231]
“Cincinnati – First in Funk” by Carol Motsinger – Cincinnati Enquirer – Sep. 25, 2016
“Court Refuses to Consider Demolition Permit for Historic Cincinnati Record Company” – CourtNewsOhio – Nov. 10, 2016
“Ohio Supreme Court Blocks King Records Demolition” by John Keisewetter – WVXU – Nov. 10, 2016
“King Records Gets Reprieve from Ohio Supreme Court” by Mark Urycki – Ideastream – Nov. 10, 2016
“King Records Gets Reprieve – For Now” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 11, 2016
“Court Spares King Records For Now” – Hamilton OH Journal News – Nov. 15, 2016
“Cincinnati R&B, Rock & Roll Landmark Lives to See Another Day” by Todd Dykes – WLWT – Jan. 17, 2017
“City Could Seize King Building” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Jan. 20, 2017
Obituary = Clyde Stubblefield – Rolling Stone – Feb. 18, 2017
“The Fight to Preserve King Records’ Legacy” by Sharon Coolidge – Cincinnati Enquirer – Feb. 25, 2017
“King Records – Will It Spin Again” by Sharon Coolidge – Cincinnati Enquirer – Feb. 26, 2017
“Decision on Fate of Cincinnati’s King Records Gets Delayed” by J March – WXIX – Mar. 5, 2017
“Marty Stuart’s Cincinnati Connections” by Chris Varias – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 17, 2017
“King Records Could Be a Monument to the City” by Byron McCauley – Cincinnati Enquirer – Apr. 21, 2017
“Here’s What a Rehabilitated King Records Building Could Look Like” [slide show] by Chris Wetterich — Cincinnati Business Courier — Apr. 26, 2017
“They’ve Taken It All Away – The Only Thing Here is Me: The Struggle to Preserve the King Legacy” by Charles Lester – Public Historian – May 2017
“The Blasters’ Phil Alvin Talks King Records” by Chris Varias – Cincinnati Enquirer – May 17, 2017
“City Moves to Seize King Site” – Cincinnati Enquirer – June 27, 2017
“Future of King Records Building Still Uncertain” by Richard Chiles – WLWT – Aug. 28, 2017
“King Records Month” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Sep. 3, 2017
“Before ‘Hee Haw’ There Was ‘Midwestern Hayride’” by Greg Gaston – Cincinnati Enquirer – Sep. 17, 2017
“City of Cincinnati, Company [Dynamic] May Have Struck Deal on Former King Records Building” by Chris Wetterich – Cincinnati Business Courier – Mar. 9, 2018
“King Records’ Former Headquarters Could Be in City Hands Soon” by Mike Breen – CityBeat – Mar. 9, 2018
Obituary = John ‘Jabo’ Starks – Rolling Stone – May 2, 2018
“Before Bunbury Jack White Visits King Site, Gets Key to City” by Mike Breen – CityBeat – June 4, 2018
“Jack White Pays Homage to King Records Cincinnati Before Bunbury” by Chris Mayhew – Cincinnati Enquirer – June 4, 2018
“Yesterday Was Proclaimed ‘Les Claypool Day’ in Cincinnati after Primus Frontperson Visits King Records” by Mike Breen – CityBeat – June 13, 2018
“Ultrasuede Recording Studio Ends Its Quarter-Century-Plus Run on Spring Grove Avenue” – City Beat – June 13, 2018
“Seymour Stein and the King Records-Ramones Connection” by Steven Rosen – City Beat – June 27, 2018
“City Unites to Celebrate Music Institution King Records’ Crucial Legacy While Also Considering Its Future Potential” by Steven Rosen – City Beat – Aug. 21, 2018
“Celebrate the King: The Gala Kicks Off Cincinnati’s King Records Month in Style at Over-the-Rhine’s Memorial Hall” by Mike Breen & Steve Rosen – City Beat – Aug. 23, 2018
“King Records Gets the Stage Treatment at the Playhouse in the Park’s World Premiere of ‘Cincinnati King’” by Rick Pender – City Beat – Oct. 29, 2018

“King Records @ Cinti Playhouse” by David Lyman – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 4, 2018
“R.I.P. Dave Davis, a Behind-the-Scenes Cincinnati Music Legend, Mastering Engineer” by Mike Breen – City Beat – Nov. 7, 2018
“Bernard Purdie at King Records” – Zero to 180 – Jan. 19, 2019
“Groups Working Together to Preserve King Records’ History” – WCPO – Feb. 18, 2019
“Cincinnati Music Legend Bootsy Collins Celebrates James Brown Birthday with New Video and Remix of ‘JB – Still the Man’” by Mike Breen – City Beat – May 3, 2019
“How the Soul Funk Label Colemine and Plaid Room Record Store Landed in Loveland” by Mike Breen – City Beat – Aug. 6, 2019
“These Trading Cards Celebrate Cincinnati’s Musical Heritage” by Stuart Lindle – Cincinnati Magazine – October 18, 2019
“Committee Formed to Plan Future of King Records, ‘Birthplace’ of Rock and Hip Hop” by Lauren Artino & Brian Planalp– WXIX – Oct. 31, 2019
“Ray Benson Talks King Records” by Chris Varias – Cincinnati Enquirer – Nov. 1, 2019
“Local Committee Moving Forward With Vision for King Records Building” by Lisa Smith – WCPO – Dec. 13, 2019
“The Birth of The JB’s at King Records” – Zero to 180 – Feb. 20, 2020
“Paul Shaffer on Cinti’s Music History” by Chris Varias – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 6, 2020
“All Aboard: The Long and Winding History of ‘Train Kept a-Rollin'” – profile of Philip Paul by Bill Furbee – Ugly Things – Spring 2020 (no. 53)
“Top 20 Cincinnati Musicians – Honorable Mentions” – Cincinnati Enquirer – Apr. 17, 2020
“The Dapps at King Records” – Zero to 180 – July 25, 2020
“Sing a Song of Cincinnati” by Steven Rosen [inspired by Zero to 180’s “Cincinnati in Song”] – Cincinnati Magazine – December 2020
“Otis Williams as Doo-Wop Pioneer, Midnight Cowboy, King Records Arranger & Resurrector” by Bill Furbee – Ugly Things – Winter 2020 (no. 55)
“Hidden in Plain Sight: How King Records Carried on For Decades After Heyday” [What’s Next for Cincinnati Renowned Studio] – WXIX – Feb. 22, 2021
“Hot Springs Producer-Songwriter Henry Glover Wasn’t Just Behind the Scenes – He Was Inventing the Scenes” by Stephen Koch – Arkansas Times – Mar. 8, 2021
“PromoWest to Donate $20,000 to King Records’ Evanston Revitalization Project” (company commissioned a mural honoring King artists at Newport’s new Ovation music venue) by Steven Rosen & Meghan Malas – CityBeat – Mar. 25, 2021
“King Records Mural in Newport Aims to School Rock Stars” by Chris Varias – Cincinnati Enquirer – Mar. 31, 2021

NOTE: There are 4 King & 3 Federal releases listed in the Grammy Hall of Fame

+ “Good Rockin’ Tonight” by Wynonie Harris [King – 1948] — inducted 1994

+ “Blues Stay Away From Me” by Delmore Brothers [King – 1949] — inducted 2007

+ “Sixty Minute Man” by The Dominoes [Federal – 1951] — inducted 2015

+ “Please” by James Brown & Famous Flames [Federal – 1956] — inducted 2001

+ “Hideaway” by Freddy King [Federal – 1961] — inducted 1999

+ “Cold Sweat” by James Brown & Famous Flames [King – 1967] — inducted 2016

+ “I Feel Like Being a Sex Machine” by James Brown [King – 1970] — inducted 2014

King’s same-day capacity — from recording to disk

“Aiding and abetting all of those aspiring producers were countless new independent studios and pressing plants.. Small studios like Sam Phillips’ Memphis Recording Service (which advertised, ‘We Record Anything, Anywhere, Anytime’) charged a mere $2 for a single-sided acetate, or $3 for a double.. King executive Jim Wilson recalled, ‘Theoretically, you could walk into King Records in the morning, record, then walk out of there with a dee-jay copy in your hand to take to radio stations.”
American Record Companies and Producers 1888-1950

“Midnight Cowboy” — Sleep Aid

Posted on December 12, 2020 by Zeroto180

Today Zero to 180 turns eight.

Several months ago, I received a surprise phone call from writer, Steve Rosen, who informed me that he was putting together a feature article for Cincinnati Magazine that uses my “Cincinnati in Song” piece as a launching point.. Furthermore, for this piece, I was invited to contribute a 500-word sidebar of my Top Ten Cincinnati songs — such a marvelous birthday gift! . To help generate buzz for this article (entitled “Sing a Song of Cincinnati“) in the magazine’s December issue, I rolled out my Top Ten on Zero to 180’s Facebook page one song per day (beginning December 1st), with supplemental historical details not previously disclosed.

Unfortunately, today’s post threatens to undo all the positive momentum, as a result of the misguided decision to unfurl a new guitar arrangement of the “Midnight Cowboy” theme by Silver Spring-based music duo, Dubble Trubble.

Dub-inspired pop fusion (or so it says in their press packet), this take on John Barry‘s haunting soundtrack theme may one day end up as the title track of the duo’s debut collection — Twelve O’Clock Cowboys — of late-night sounds (streaming audio link):

“Twelve O’Clock Cowboy”

Richard Harrington recently observed that Joni Mitchell submitted her own composition for the film – titled “Midnight Cowboy” – only to have the song rejected!. The sole recording of Mitchell’s soundtrack offering, notes Harrington, can be found on the Atlantic debut album by Washington, DC’s one-time “favorite folk singer” (and Roberta Flack collaborator), Donal Leace, who departed us this past November due to COVID-19.

Donal Leace remembered — Washington Post

Zero to 180 Milestones: Years 0-7

Inaugural Zero to 180 post that established a bona fide cross-cultural link between Cincinnati (via James Brown’s music recorded and distributed by King Records) and Kingston, Jamaica (i.e., Prince Buster’s rocksteady salute to Soul Brother Number One).
1st anniversary piece that featured an exclusive “Howard Dean” remix of a delightful Sesame Street song about anger management (with a special rant about how WordPress’s peculiarities made me homicidal the moment I launched this blog).
2nd anniversary piece that refused to acknowledge the milestone but instead celebrated the under-sung legacy of songwriter/session musician, Joe South – with a link to South’s first 45, a novelty tune that playfully laments Texas’s change in status as the nation’s largest state upon Alaska’s entry into the Union.
3rd anniversary piece that revealed the depths to which Zero to 180 will sink in order to foist his own amateur recordings onto an unsuspecting and trusting populace.
4th anniversary piece that formalized – as a public service – musical chord changes for an old (and tuneless) “hot potato” playground game called ‘The Wonderball.’
5th anniversary piece that paid tribute to the Buchanan & Goodman “break-in” records that helped fuel (along with Mad Magazine) this young music fanatic’s appetite for satire.
6th anniversary piece that introduced contemporary music product (dub-inspired pop fusion) — in direct violation of Zero to 180’s must-be-20-years-or-older policy.
7th anniversary piece that gave the previous year’s submission a good swift kick in the pants.

Central Recording Studio — Silver Spring, MD

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Zeroto180

Three recording facilities — Adelphi Studios, Track Recorders, and DB Sound — have helped put Silver Spring, Maryland on the world’s musical map, while a fourth, Paragon Studios, is notable for having captured The Muffins’ influential early work (as was noted in the recent Bob Devlin piece) . Thanks to Jeff Krulik, I now know of a fifth Silver Spring studio — a 24-track facility, in fact — whose history is virtually unknown except by a relative few who were active in the Washington, DC music scene during the 1980s and early 90s.

Zero to 180 is currently developing a story about Central Recording Studio, its recorded legacy, and all the factors that conspired (unfairly, perhaps) to obscure the studio’s history. Please check back in December for the full story — in the meantime, follow Zero to 180 on Facebook for the latest word.

Jeff Krulik and Betty Green of Mother’s Band @ Central Recording Studio

Zero to 180 – Three Minute Magic

Discoveries of a Pop Music Archaeologist

Curly Chalker’s Dutch-Only 45: Party Game for Steel Fanatics

Curly Chalker (c. 1975)

“The Race Is On” – George Jones’ big hit from 1964 – is the album’s lead-off track.

Capitol Recording Studio – MELROSE AVENUE (C. 1955)

Rear cover photo =
Louis Bellson (center), who flew in from California for the session

Curly Chalker = Participant at the 3rd National Steel Guitar Convention
**(Billboard — SEPTEMBER 14, 1976)**

Rare Reggae Roots Mix — Annotated & Illustrated

Scepter 45 by NRBQ Alter Ego?

NRBQ’s first A-side: rediscovering the two-minute single
Promo 45 (APR. 1969) – both sides written by STEVE FERGUSON

Billboard — MAY 17, 1969

NORWAY — 1969

1971 — ACCORDING TO DISCOGS

“Sho’ Need Love” — the acetate

Honey Ltd.’s Big Promo Push

“Silk ‘n’ Honey” Honey Ltd. 1969

B-Side: Coulda Been a Contender

Gary Burton’s Tennessee Firebird

“Faded Love” Gary Burton & Friends 1966

“Countrypolitan” – 1st Sightings

Two of the least “countrypolitan” instruments — fiddle and banjo

The big city

King Records — In a Nutshell

Updated: April 4, 2021

“Midnight Cowboy” — Sleep Aid

Zero to 180 Milestones: Years 0-7

Central Recording Studio — Silver Spring, MD

Curly Chalker (c. 1975)

“The Race Is On” – George Jones’ big hit from 1964 – is the album’s lead-off track.

Capitol Recording Studio – MELROSE AVENUE (C. 1955)

Rear cover photo =Louis Bellson (center), who flew in from California for the session

Curly Chalker = Participant at the 3rd National Steel Guitar Convention(Billboard — SEPTEMBER 14, 1976)

NRBQ’s first A-side: rediscovering the two-minute single Promo 45 (APR. 1969) – both sides written by STEVE FERGUSON

Billboard — MAY 17, 1969

NORWAY — 1969

1971 — ACCORDING TO DISCOGS

“Sho’ Need Love” — the acetate

Merle Haggard impersonates Marty Robbins, Hank Snow, Buck Owens & Johnny Cash

“Have You Heard the Word” (Maurice Gibb &) The Fut 1969

“The Class” Chubby Checker 1959

“Donald Where’s Your Troosers” Andy Stewart 1960

“A Hollywood Party” Florence Desmond 1932

“Impersonations” Ann Penn 1929

“Sonny Boy” Sammy Davis, Jr. 1961

Undated EP — AUSTRALIA

“That’s life” Rich Little 1968

“Bagpipes That’s My Bag” Ray Stevens 1969

“Surfin’s Back Again” + “Surf Impersonations” The Fantastic Baggys 1964

“I Walk the Line (Pull the Twine)” Frankie Miller 1963

“Two By Four” Leon Payne 1956

“My Bucket’s Been Fixed” Hardrock Gunter 1951

“Springfield Guitar Social” Thumbs Carlisle 1958

“Hillbilly Impersonations” Terry Fell 195?

“My Next Impersonation” Jerry Reed 1969

“Silk ‘n’ Honey” Honey Ltd. 1969

B-Side: Coulda Been a Contender

“Faded Love” Gary Burton & Friends 1966

Two of the least “countrypolitan” instruments — fiddle and banjo

The big city

Updated: April 4, 2021

Zero to 180 Milestones: Years 0-7

Rear cover photo =
Louis Bellson (center), who flew in from California for the session

Curly Chalker = Participant at the 3rd National Steel Guitar Convention
**(Billboard — SEPTEMBER 14, 1976)**

NRBQ’s first A-side: rediscovering the two-minute single
Promo 45 (APR. 1969) – both sides written by STEVE FERGUSON