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4 Star Records was a record label that recorded many well-known country music acts in the 1950s. The label, founded after World War II, was home to singers such as Hank Locklin, Maddox Brothers and Rose, Rose Maddox, Webb Pierce, Cousin Ford Lewis and T. Texas Tyler, who all regularly issued records on the label, mostly as 78rpm singles.
The label was founded in 1945 by William A. "Bill" McCall Jr., Clifford McDonald, and Richard A. Nelson. By November 1946, McCall was in complete control of 4 Star. Although record labels give a Hollywood, California address, the actual address was on 800 Western Avenue in Los Angeles until 1949, when operations were moved to Pasadena, California. [1]
Besides country music, 4 Star also recorded blues, jazz (Wingy Manone, Slim Gaillard, and Charles Mingus), rhythm and blues (such as Ivory Joe Hunter's "Pretty Mamma Blues", Cecil Gant's remake of his hit "I Wonder" and Ed "The Great" Gates), and Latin music recordings. 4 Star re-released "hillbilly boogie" guitarist Porky Freeman's 1945 hit "Boogie Woogie On Strings" in 1948, and Charlie Ryan re-recorded his 1955 hit "Hot Rod Lincoln" for the label in 1959. Smokey Rogers (as 'Buck Rogers & His Texans', 1946-1947), Terry Fell (later of "Truck Drivin' Man" fame, 1947), Ferlin Husky (as 'Terry Preston', 1949-1950), Billy Jack Wills (youngest brother of Bob Wills, 1951), Ramblin' Tommy Scott (1955), and Sammy Masters (1956) were also 4 Star recording artists.
4 Star released their music on 78rpm (later on 45rpm) discs in three numerical series: the main 1000-series (1000 to 1765), the X-series (1 to 100) and the P-series (101 to 112).
In the late 1970s, producer Joe Johnson headed up an organization that purchased 4 Star Records and moved all of its operations to Nashville, Tennessee. Johnson insisted on building state-of-the-art studios and bringing in the best talent available to run them. 4 Star hired successful record producer, Steve Clark, who in turn brought to 4 Star a stable of talented artist and writers, including Barbara South, Debi Bass, and Joe Nelson.
Several chart records were produced, including Debi Bass' "Till I'm Strong Enough to Love Again" and "I Need a Hero", both written by Joe Nelson. 4 Star's financial problems continued to mount; in the early 1980s the company was closed, and the catalogue absorbed by its creditors. Sony/ATV Music Publishing owns the catalogue today. [2]
On September 30, 1954, singer Patsy Cline signed a recording contract with 4 Star. [3] However, not a single one of Cline's subsequent recordings for 4 Star appeared on the 4 Star label; [4] instead they appeared on Decca Records, and Decca's subsidiary Coral Records, under a special licensing agreement through 4 Star. [5] Cline's 4 Star contract expired on September 30, 1960, [6] at which point Decca was able to take full advantage of Cline's services in the two-and-a-half years left to her.
Patsy Cline was an American singer. She is considered one of the most influential vocalists of the 20th century and was one of the first country music artists to cross over into pop music. Cline had several major hits during her eight-year recording career, including two number-one hits on the Billboard Hot Country and Western Sides chart.
"Crazy" is a song written by Willie Nelson and popularized by country singer Patsy Cline in 1961. Nelson wrote the song while living in Houston, working for Pappy Daily's label D Records. He was also a radio DJ and performed in clubs. Nelson then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, working as a writer for Pamper Music. Through Hank Cochran, the song reached Patsy Cline. After her original recording and release, Cline's version reached number two on Billboard's Hot Country Singles, also crossing to the pop chart as a top 10 single.
George and Leslie York, known professionally as The York Brothers, were an American country music duo, popular from the late 1930s through the 1950s, known for their close harmony singing. Their country boogie style, a precursor to rockabilly, combined elements of hillbilly, jazz, and blues music. Although originally from Kentucky, they are often associated with the city of Detroit, where they were based for several years, and which they paid tribute to in songs such as "Hamtramck Mama", "Detroit Hula Girl", and "Motor City Boogie".
John Sheppard Maddox Jr. was an American ragtime pianist, historian, and collector of music memorabilia.
William Owen Bradley was an American musician and record producer who, along with Chet Atkins, Bob Ferguson, Bill Porter, and Don Law, was one of the chief architects of the 1950s and 1960s Nashville sound in country music and rockabilly.
"Walkin' After Midnight" is a song written by Alan Block and Don Hecht and recorded by American country music artist Patsy Cline. The song was originally given to pop singer Kay Starr; however, her label rejected it. The song was left unused until Hecht rediscovered it when writing for Four Star Records. Originally Cline was not fond of "Walkin' After Midnight", but after making a compromise with her label she recorded it. However, the first released recording was by Lynn Howard with The Accents, released August 1956.
"I Fall to Pieces" is a song written by Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard that was originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Released as a single in 1961 via Decca Records, it topped the country charts, crossed over onto the pop charts and became among Cline's biggest hits. Cline was initially reluctant to record "I Fall to Pieces" and believed its production lacked enough country instrumentation for her liking. Eventually, Cline recorded the song upon the encouragement of her producer.
Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits is a compilation consisting of American country pop music singer, Patsy Cline's greatest hits. The album consists of Cline's biggest hits between 1957 and 1963. It is one of the biggest-selling albums in the United States by any female country music artist.
A Portrait of Patsy Cline is a 1964 compilation album containing lesser-known recordings by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was released on June 15, 1964, on Decca Records, and would later be reissued twice by Decca's successor, MCA Records.
This is a list of notable events in country music that took place in the year 1935.
The posthumous discography of American singer Patsy Cline consists of recordings released after March 5, 1963. Since her death, Cline's record label and other labels have released numerous studio albums, compilation albums and singles. Decca Records planned to release Cline's fourth studio album at the time of her death. Instead, a compilation was released in June 1963 titled The Patsy Cline Story. The album reached number 9 on the Billboard country albums list and number 74 on the pop albums chart. Two singles posthumously released in 1963 became top 10 hits on the Billboard country songs chart: "Sweet Dreams " and "Faded Love". Following the release of two posthumous studio albums, Decca issued Patsy Cline's Greatest Hits in 1967. It was the highest-selling female country album for 28 years until Shania Twain surpassed her record in 1995. Greatest Hits was reissued multiple times and eventually was certified diamond in sales in the United States.
Patsy Cline is an EP released by American country music singer, Patsy Cline on August 14, 1961. It Cline's third EP to be released.
"Make Love to Me" is a 1954 popular song with words and music written by a larger team than normally is known to collaborate on a song: Bill Norvas, Alan Copeland, and the New Orleans Rhythm Kings, comprising Leon Rappolo, Paul Mares, Ben Pollack, George Brunies, Mel Stitzel, and Walter Melrose. The melody was derived from a 1923 song, "Tin Roof Blues", composed by the New Orleans Rhythm Kings.
"Today, Tomorrow and Forever" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was released as a single in 1957 via Decca Records and was composed by Don Reid. It was the follow-up release to Cline's major hit of 1957, "Walkin' After Midnight." However, "Today, Tomorrow and Forever" was not successful.
"Three Cigarettes in an Ashtray" is a song by American country music singer Patsy Cline. It was released as a single in 1957 via Decca Records. It was composed by Eddie Miller and W.S. Stevenson. Released on the heels of Cline's first hit "Walkin' After Midnight," the song was not successful but received positive reviews from critics and journalists.
"I Can See an Angel" is a song written by Kay Adelman that was first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was released as a single in 1958 via Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. The song was among several singles Cline released with the Decca label during the late 1950s which did not chart any major music publications.
"Dear God" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by V.F. Stewart. It was released as a single in late 1958 via Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was among a handful of singles released on the Decca label that were unsuccessful for Cline following a major hit in 1957.
"Cry Not for Me" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by Don Hecht and Jack Moon. It was released as a single in early 1959 via Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was among a handful of singles released on the Decca label that were unsuccessful for Cline following a major hit in 1957.
"Gotta Lot of Rhythm in My Soul" is a song first recorded by American country singer Patsy Cline. It was composed by W.S. Stevenson and Barbara Vaughan. It was released as a single in 1959 via Decca Records and was produced by Owen Bradley. It was among a handful of singles released on the Decca label that were unsuccessful for Cline following a major hit in 1957.
