Gold Star Records

Gold Star Records
Gold Star Records
	"Jole Blon"
Parent company	Quinn Recording Company
Founded	1941
Genre	Cajun, country, blues, rock, R&B, hip hop
Country of origin	United States
Location	Houston, Texas, United States

Last updated July 27, 2019

Gold Star Records is an American independent record label, which was founded in 1941.

An independent record label is a record label that operates without the funding of major record labels. Many artists begin their careers on independent labels.

Gold Star Recording Company and Gold Star Sound Services

Bill Quinn in Houston, Texas, 1960s Billquinn-1960.jpg — Bill Quinn in Houston, Texas, 1960s

Gold Star Recording Company originated as a recording studio in Houston, Texas, and was founded in October 1941 by Bill Quinn under the name Quinn Recording Company. In 1950, Quinn changed the name of the studio to Gold Star Studios and, as such, remains the oldest registered recording studio in the Southeastern United States.

Recording studio facility for sound recording

A recording studio is a specialized facility for sound recording, mixing, and audio production of instrumental or vocal musical performances, spoken words, and other sounds. They range in size from a small in-home project studio large enough to record a single singer-guitarist, to a large building with space for a full orchestra of 100 or more musicians. Ideally both the recording and monitoring spaces are specially designed by an acoustician or audio engineer to achieve optimum acoustic properties.

Houston is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas, fourth most populous city in the United States, as well as the sixth most populous in North America, with an estimated 2018 population of 2,325,502. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the seat of Harris County and the principal city of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, which is the fifth most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States and the second most populous in Texas after the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, with a population of 6,997,384 in 2018.

Texas is the second largest state in the United States by both area and population. Geographically located in the South Central region of the country, Texas shares borders with the U.S. states of Louisiana to the east, Arkansas to the northeast, Oklahoma to the north, New Mexico to the west, and the Mexican states of Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas to the southwest, and has a coastline with the Gulf of Mexico to the southeast.

The studio was important in launching the careers of such artists as Lightnin' Hopkins, Harry Choates, George Jones, Eddie Noack, The Sir Douglas Quintet, Roy Head, and Freddy Fender. At that time, the operation was renowned for inventive recording equipment and its reverberation chamber room.

Samuel John "Lightnin'" Hopkins was an American country blues singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional pianist, from Centerville, Texas. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 71 on its list of the 100 greatest guitarists of all time.

Harry Henry Choates was an American Cajun music fiddler known as "Fiddle King of Cajun Swing" and "Godfather of Cajun music."

George Glenn Jones was an American musician, singer and songwriter. He achieved international fame for his long list of hit records, including his best known song "He Stopped Loving Her Today", as well as his distinctive voice and phrasing. For the last twenty years of his life, Jones was frequently referred to as the greatest living country singer. Country music scholar Bill Malone writes, "For the two or three minutes consumed by a song, Jones immerses himself so completely in its lyrics, and in the mood it conveys, that the listener can scarcely avoid becoming similarly involved." Waylon Jennings expressed a similar opinion in his song "It's Alright": "If we all could sound like we wanted to, we'd all sound like George Jones." The shape of his nose and facial features earned Jones the nickname "The Possum".

Quinn would also release several Cajun songs on his Opera label.^[1]^[2]

Bill Quinn and Gold Star Studios

Gold Star Records featured blues, country music, (then still commonly known as hillbilly music) and cajun music. In his first few years of business, Bill Quinn also recorded radio commercials and added a novelty offering recorded birthday greetings.

The most significant change was the release of its first hit record, "Jole Blon" by Harry Choates, a swing and dance tune that and became the first and only Cajun record to reach the Billboard Top Five. His local pressing plant could not keep up and he authorized other independent labels to produce copies of this record across the country, such as Modern Records (#20-511), Starday(#187), D Records (#1024) and the Deluxe label. Lightnin' Hopkins' "T-Model Blues" and "Tim Moore's Farm", both became top 10 national hits in 1948, helping to provide Gold Star with a string of hits throughout the late-1940s, 1950s and 1960s.^[3]

Jole Blon or Jolie Blonde is a traditional Cajun waltz, often called "the Cajun national anthem" because of the popularity it has in Cajun culture. The song was popularized on a nationwide scale by a series of renditions and references in late 1940s country songs. It has been the subject of occasional covers later in the 20th century by Cajun and classic country revival bands.

The Bihari brothers, Lester, Jules, Saul and Joe, were American businessmen of Hungarian Jewish origins. They were the founders of Modern Records in Los Angeles and its subsidiaries, such as Meteor Records, based in Memphis. The Bihari brothers were significant figures in the process that transformed rhythm and blues into rock and roll, which appealed to white audiences in the 1950s.

Starday Records was a record label producing traditional country music during the 1950s and 1960s.

George Jones' first hit with them was "Why Baby Why" in 1955. Six more Jones hit singles ensued such as, "What Am I Worth", "You Gotta Be My Baby", "Just One More", "Yearning", "Too Much Water" and "Don't Stop the Music", all during 1956 and 1957.

Why Baby Why 1955 single by George Jones

"Why Baby Why" is the title of a country music song co-written and originally recorded by George Jones. Released in late 1955 on Starday Records and produced by Starday co-founder and Jones' manager Pappy Daily, it peaked at 4 on the Billboard country charts that year. It was Jones' first chart single, following several unsuccessful singles released during the prior year on Starday.

The Big Bopper's hit "Chantilly Lace" was released in 1958, whilst Johnny Preston's "Running Bear", James O'Gwynn's "Talk to Me Lonesome Heart" and Eddie Noack's "Have Blues Will Travel" / "The Price of Love" followed in 1959.

Willie Nelson's first two songwriting hits were "Family Bible", written for Claude Gray, and the 1960 release, "Night Life", recorded by Ray Price.

1960s

The early 1960s saw the beginnings of the psychedelic Texas rock era, particularly with the release of Sir Douglas Quintet's hit song "She's About a Mover", and "Treat Her Right" by Roy Head and The Traits. In January 1968, Quinn approved the leasing of Gold Star masters which were associated with the success behind "Treat Her Right" hitting No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and "She's About A Mover" reaching the No. 13.

The studio continued to attract more psychedelic rock bands including 13th Floor Elevators, Red Krayola, The Bubble Puppy, The Continental Five, The Bad Seeds, The Moving Sidewalks and Zakary Thaks. B.J. Thomas also recorded a portion of his album, Tomorrow Never Comes, during that time.

Present day

Gold Star Sound Services extended expansion in 1983 following the addition of a specialized recording room, Foam Box Recordings, under the direction with Joe Hardy and G.L. G-Mane Moon, heading up the production and engineering group. Gold Star Sound Services currently produces state-of-the-art product with online entries, and extreme hi-fidelity sound production innovations.

Legacy

In 1983, Gold Star enjoyed an uplift when the marque, purchased by Billy Gibbons, continued operation under the direction of Willie D Workman. Workman later partnered to lead the way with the RAD Audio Company, with studio engineers, Andy Bradley and Rodney Meyers.

The association branched out to support the Houston scene, evolving with Destiny's Child, Robert Minot, Ann-Margret, Solange Knowles, Brian McKnight, Twista, Smash Mouth, Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland, Michelle Williams, Hubert Laws, Clay Walker and Calvin Owens.

Related Research Articles

The U.S. state of Texas has long been a center for musical innovation and is the birthplace of many notable musicians. Texans have pioneered developments in Tejano and Conjunto music, Rock 'n Roll, Western swing, jazz, punk rock, country, hip-hop, electronic music, gothic industrial music, religious music, mariachi, psychedelic rock, zydeco and the blues.

Douglas Wayne Sahm was an American musician and singer-songwriter from Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was a child prodigy in country music but became a significant figure in roots rock and other genres. Sahm is considered one of the most important figures in what is identified as Tex-Mex music. Proficient on multiple instruments, he was the founder and leader of the 1960s rock and roll band, the Sir Douglas Quintet. He would later co-found the Texas Tornados with Augie Meyers, Freddy Fender, and Flaco Jiménez as well as Los Super Seven.

The Sir Douglas Quintet was an American rock band, formed in San Antonio in 1964. With their first hits, they were acclaimed in their home state. When their career was established, the band relocated to the West Coast. Their move coincided with the burgeoning San Francisco psychedelic rock scene of the mid 1960s to early 1970s. Overall, the quintet were exponents of good-times music with strong roots in blues and Texas-regional traditions.

Ace Records Ltd. was started in 1978. Initially the company only gained permission from the label based in Mississippi to use the name in the UK, but eventually also acquired the rights to publish their recordings. When Chiswick Records' pop side was licensed to EMI in 1984, Ace switched to more licensing and reissuing work. In the 1980s it also gained the licensing for Modern Records, and its follow-up company Kent Records, whilst in the 1990s, the company bought the label(s) including all original master tapes.

Joseph Denton "Jay" Miller was an American record producer, musician and songwriter from Crowley, Louisiana, whose Cajun, swamp blues, and swamp pop recordings influenced American popular culture.

SugarHill Recording Studios is a recording studio in Houston, Texas. The studio was important in launching the careers of such artists as Lightnin' Hopkins, The Big Bopper, George Jones, the Sir Douglas Quintet, Roy Head, and Freddy Fender. It is renowned for its collection of vintage recording equipment, reverb chamber rooms, EMT plates and a long history of music. A landmark in the Houston music community, SugarHill celebrated its 69th year of operation in October 2011.

<i>Grand Ole Oprys New Star</i> 1956 studio album by George Jones

Grand Ole Opry's New Star is the debut studio album released by George Jones on October 1, 1956. with Starday Records. Produced by Jones' manager Pappy Daily, the album was recorded during early sessions in 1954, throughout 1955, and other sessions in 1956. It is also the first album to be released on the Starday label, a label only four years old.

Huey Purvis Meaux was an American record producer and the owner of various record labels and recording studios including Crazy Cajun Records, Tear Drop Records, Capri Records, and SugarHill Recording Studios.

David Allen Stich, a.k.a. Rockin’ Dave Allen, a.k.a. Dave Allen, was an American blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. Allen performed live throughout Texas and the Gulf Coast area from the late 1950s through the early 1980s. He recorded for the Jin, Eric, International Artists, Rock-a-Billy and Big Orange record labels for a total of sixteen 45 sides and two vinyl LPs. Some of this material has also appeared on compact disc anthologies by Ace Records. Approximately eighty minutes of Allen’s recordings remain unreleased.

Shes About a Mover 1965 song performed by Sir Douglas Quintet

She's About a Mover is a 1965 song by the Sir Douglas Quintet. and was quickly covered by several other artists. The song has a 12-bar blues structure, and is structured in a similar manner to The Beatles' "She's a Woman", Holland–Dozier–Holland's "Can I Get a Witness" and Ray Charles' "What'd I Say".

Night Life (Willie Nelson song) 1960 song performed by Willie Nelson

"Night Life" is a song written by country music singer-songwriter Willie Nelson. Nelson was inspired to write the song during one of his trips from his home in Pasadena, Texas, to his work, singing at the Esquire Ballroom in Houston.

What a Way to Live (song) 1960 single by Willie Nelson

"What a Way to Live" is a song written by country music singer Willie Nelson. He recorded the song on his second session with D Records, after moving to Houston, Texas. Produced by Bill Quinn, it was cut at Gold Star Studios in March 1960.

George Khoury was an American pioneer swamp pop and cajun record producer known for co-writing and composing the No. 1 hit song "Sea of Love" by Phil Phillips as well as "Mathilda" by Cookie and the Cupcakes.

Macy's Recordings was a Houston-based record label that released recordings of popular musicians around the southern United States. In April 1949, they famously recorded Lester Williams' song "Winter Time Blues" on their R&B series which became a hit. They would go on to record country and Cajun music as well.

Lightnin' and Co. is an album by blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins recorded in Texas in 1962 and released on the Bluesville label. The album was reissued as a double LP compilation with additional tracks from the sessions as How Many More Years I Got in 1981 on Fantasy Records.

<i>Lightnin Sam Hopkins</i> 1962 studio album by Lightnin Hopkins

Lightnin' Sam Hopkins is an album by blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins recorded in California in late 1961 and Texas in early 1962 and released on the Arhoolie label.

<i>Early Recordings Vol. 2</i> 1971 studio album by Lightnin Hopkins

Early Recordings Vol. 2 is an album by blues musician Lightnin' Hopkins featuring tracks recorded at Gold Star Recording Studios between 1946 and 1950, thirteen of which were originally released as 10-inch 78rpm records on the Gold Star and Dart labels, along with three others that were previously unissued. Arhoolie reissued The Gold Star Sessions on two CDs through Smithsonian Folkways in 1990.

References

↑ "Virgel Bozman's Oklahoma Tornadoes Archives". Bopping.org. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
↑ Yule, Ron (2009). Louisiana Fiddlers. University Press of Mississippi. p. 221. ISBN 978-1604732955.
↑ Bradley, Andy. Wood, Roger. "House of Hits: The Story of Houston's Gold Star/SugarHill Recording Studios". Brad and Michele Moore Roots Music Series. University of Texas Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2010).

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.

[bopping-1] "Virgel Bozman's Oklahoma Tornadoes Archives". Bopping.org. Retrieved 12 August 2014.

[fiddlers-2] Yule, Ron (2009). Louisiana Fiddlers. University Press of Mississippi. p. 221. ISBN 978-1604732955.

[3] Bradley, Andy. Wood, Roger. "House of Hits: The Story of Houston's Gold Star/SugarHill Recording Studios". Brad and Michele Moore Roots Music Series. University of Texas Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2010).