Page 44 - Akae Beka

Syd Nathan Don Robey
of King Records of Duke Records

A King U A Duke

By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz in used records. These “next-to-new” items were bought by
transplanted Southerners lured to the factories during World
The story of the blues often centers around colorful performers War II. The records being sold were not the mainstream
and great bands, however, the story behind the scenes was
every bit as unique and colorful. The record labels that popular ballads and big-band selections produced on the
coasts. His customers wanted the music that came from their
recorded blues, hillbilly and gospel during the latter half of the world. Whites from Kentucky wanted hillbilly, the Blacks
twentieth century were independent operations, often either wanted blues and they both wanted gospel. Nathan did so
run by one man or a family (as in the case of Chess). Unlike well he opened a small record shop in the Black section of
later labels like Delmark and Alligator, these labels were often town and decided to try his luck making records.
run by tough, old school hustlers who weren’t afraid to pad He began in 1947 with a hillbilly record by guitar genius
a few pockets and/or play rough if needed. Two of the most Merle Travis and Grandpa Jones under the name “The
influential and colorful of that era were Syd Nathan of King Sheppard Brothers.” It didn’t set the world on fire (that would
Records and Don Robey of Duke Records. happen shortly), but broke even and then some. Nathan
began recording all types of music, much of it aimed at a
King Records Black audience.
King Records was founded by Syd Nathan, a frustrated
drummer and dry goods merchant in Cincinnati, OH. Rhythm and Blues
Around 1947, Nathan couldn’t ignore the sales figures in In 1946, a White disc jockey named Gene Nobles had
his store’s music department; he was doing a huge business begun programming rhythm and blues as it’s now known,

42 Blues Festival Guide 2020