Fenton Records
Encyclopedia
Fenton Records was an independent record label
founded by Dave Kalmbach in the early 1960s. The label was based in Sparta, Michigan
, though is often regarded as a Grand Rapids, Michigan
garage rock
label.
It is known for releasing albums by Michigan garage bands such as The Plagues, The Barons, The Aardvarks, The Assortment, The Ones, Tonto & The Renegades, among others.
Over a six-year span, the label would release at least 100 45rpm records and a handful of LPs.
Many bands that recorded with the label were from Grand Rapids, however bands from other Michigan cities like Lansing
, Cedar Springs
, Bay City
, and Grand Ledge
would travel to Sparta to record at the studio.
The label and studio (Great Lakes Recording Studio) was operated out of a movie theater and was one of only three studios in the Grand Rapids area. The company was a "pay as you go" label, meaning the label offered bands recording, mastering services and vinyl pressing for a fee.
The vinyl was originally produced out of state, though later Fenton vinyl was pressed at American Record Pressing in Owosso, Michigan
, which also made records for Motown.
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
founded by Dave Kalmbach in the early 1960s. The label was based in Sparta, Michigan
Sparta, Michigan
Sparta is a village in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,159 at the 2000 census. The village resides in Sparta Township.-History:...
, though is often regarded as a Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids, Michigan
Grand Rapids is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located on the Grand River about 40 miles east of Lake Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 188,040. In 2010, the Grand Rapids metropolitan area had a population of 774,160 and a combined statistical area, Grand...
garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
label.
It is known for releasing albums by Michigan garage bands such as The Plagues, The Barons, The Aardvarks, The Assortment, The Ones, Tonto & The Renegades, among others.
Over a six-year span, the label would release at least 100 45rpm records and a handful of LPs.
The Record Label
The Fenton Records label was started in the village of Sparta (near Grand Rapids) in the early 1960s by Dave Kalmbach, with help from business partner Bruce Smith.Many bands that recorded with the label were from Grand Rapids, however bands from other Michigan cities like Lansing
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
, Cedar Springs
Cedar Springs, Michigan
Cedar Springs is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan, 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids. Known as "Red Flannel Town", the city is home to an annual Red Flannel Festival...
, Bay City
Bay City, Michigan
Bay City is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan located near the base of the Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 34,932, and is the principal city of the Bay City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Saginaw-Bay City-Saginaw Township North...
, and Grand Ledge
Grand Ledge, Michigan
Grand Ledge is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city lies mostly within Eaton County, though a small portion extends into Clinton County, and sits above the Grand River 12.7 miles directly west of downtown Lansing. The population was 7,813 at the 2000 census...
would travel to Sparta to record at the studio.
The label and studio (Great Lakes Recording Studio) was operated out of a movie theater and was one of only three studios in the Grand Rapids area. The company was a "pay as you go" label, meaning the label offered bands recording, mastering services and vinyl pressing for a fee.
The vinyl was originally produced out of state, though later Fenton vinyl was pressed at American Record Pressing in Owosso, Michigan
Owosso, Michigan
Owosso is a city in Shiawassee County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 15,713 at the 2000 census. The city is located on the eastern side of Owosso Township, but is politically independent...
, which also made records for Motown.