Sound Stage 7
Encyclopedia
Sound Stage 7 was an American
, Nashville
, Tennessee
based record label
of the 1960s and 1970s, noted mainly for its soul music
releases. The label's biggest star was Joe Simon
, who placed numerous singles
on the U.S.
R&B
and pop
charts
during his 1965-1970 tenure.
, who had already achieved a measure of success as the founder of Monument Records
. Monument was known primarily as a country
and pop
label. Sound Stage 7 was founded specifically to house artists who were more oriented towards R&B, although in its very early years the label was also home to several pop acts.
Despite releasing singles by dozens of artists, for the first two years that the company was in operation, the only Sound Stage 7 musician
s to reach the U.S. Top 40 were The Dixie Belles, who had a #9 U.S. pop
hit
in 1963 with "(Down At) Papa Joe's", and also scored a #15 pop hit with follow-up single "Southtown, USA." The Dixie Belles were produced by Bill Justis
. The group broke up after their third single failed to hit the Billboard Hot 100. Their only other artist to chart during this period were The Monarchs, who had a minor hit with "Look Homeward Angel" (#47) in early 1964.
. From this point on, Sound Stage 7 was strictly a soul and R&B label, and almost all of the label's output was produced by Richbourg under the aegis of his JR Enterprises company. Also working for JR Enterprises was the songwriter
, co-producer and occasional recording artist, Allen Orange, who was Richbourg's right-hand man until the late 1960s.
Richbourg's biggest commercial success was bringing Joe Simon to the label in 1966. Simon had already scored two hits on Vee-Jay Records
in 1964 and 1965, but was left without a recording contract
when that label folded. Richbourg produced fifteen singles for Simon on the label between 1966 and 1970. All of them would make the U.S. pop and/or R&B charts. Simon's biggest success on the label was his 1969 hit "The Chokin' Kind
", which hit #1 on the R&B charts, and #13 pop, and sold over a million copies.
The only other charting artists on the label between 1965 and 1970 were Ella Washington and Roscoe Shelton
, both of whom had one charting R&B single apiece. Washington and Shelton were also the only artists (other than Simon) to release an album
on Sound Stage 7 between 1965 and 1970. Although Sound Stage 7 released over a hundred singles during this era, the label only released eight albums, six of which were by Simon.
Other notable artists on the label during this era, who had chart success either before, or after, their stay at Sound Stage 7 included Roscoe Robinson
, Arthur Alexander
and Ivory Joe Hunter
.
Richbourg's production deal with Sound Stage 7 ended in 1970, and Simon left the label the same year. Orange, who had contributed to the label as a songwriter and co-producer also left the company in the late 1960s to form his own label, House of Orange Records.
Joining JR Enterprises as Richbourg's right hand man was Jackey Beavers. Beavers performed much the same function as Orange had in the 1960s, being a frequent songwriter and co-producer of Sound Stage 7 recordings, as well an occasional recording artist in his own right.
Notable artists on the label's roster during the 1970s included Betty Everett
and Ann Sexton
. However, the label's only charting artist from 1971 to 1976 was Joe Simon, who hit with the single "Misty Blue" in 1972. The previously unreleased track had been recorded several years earlier, while Simon was still under contract to Sound Stage 7.
In 1977, Ann Sexton charted on the R&B chart with "I'm His Wife (You're Just A Friend)". This would be the label's final hit. Sound Stage 7's final release was the Betty Everett single "Prophecy", released in late 1977.
s have been issued over the years of Sound Stage 7 material, almost all of it drawing on the recordings controlled by JR Enterprises. Much of the Foster-controlled material has yet to see reissue.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, Nashville
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
based record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
of the 1960s and 1970s, noted mainly for its soul music
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
releases. The label's biggest star was Joe Simon
Joe Simon (musician)
Joe Simon is an American chart-topping, Grammy Award winning, soul and R&B musician. Amongst other chart singles, Simon secured three number one hits on the US Billboard R&B chart between 1969 and 1975.-Career:...
, who placed numerous singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&B
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,...
and pop
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
charts
Record chart
A record chart is a ranking of recorded music according to popularity during a given period of time. Examples of music charts are the Hit parade, Hot 100 or Top 40....
during his 1965-1970 tenure.
Early era (1963-1965)
The label was founded in 1963 by Fred FosterFred Foster
Fred Foster is an American songwriter, record producer, and founder of Monument Records.-Biography:...
, who had already achieved a measure of success as the founder of Monument Records
Monument Records
Monument Records was an American record label, Washington, D.C. named for the Washington Monument, founded in 1958, by Fred Foster and Buddy Deane . Buddy Deane soon left the company, and in the early 60's bought KOTN in Pine Bluff, Arkansas where he retired to until his death...
. Monument was known primarily as a country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
and pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
label. Sound Stage 7 was founded specifically to house artists who were more oriented towards R&B, although in its very early years the label was also home to several pop acts.
Despite releasing singles by dozens of artists, for the first two years that the company was in operation, the only Sound Stage 7 musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s to reach the U.S. Top 40 were The Dixie Belles, who had a #9 U.S. pop
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
in 1963 with "(Down At) Papa Joe's", and also scored a #15 pop hit with follow-up single "Southtown, USA." The Dixie Belles were produced by Bill Justis
Bill Justis
William E. "Bill" Justis Jr. was an American pioneer rock and roll musician, composer, and musical arranger, best known for his 1957 Grammy Hall of Fame song, "Raunchy."-Biography:...
. The group broke up after their third single failed to hit the Billboard Hot 100. Their only other artist to chart during this period were The Monarchs, who had a minor hit with "Look Homeward Angel" (#47) in early 1964.
The John Richbourg era (1965-1970)
In mid-1965, Foster struck a deal with John Richbourg who became the label's head of A&RA&R
Artists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
. From this point on, Sound Stage 7 was strictly a soul and R&B label, and almost all of the label's output was produced by Richbourg under the aegis of his JR Enterprises company. Also working for JR Enterprises was the songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, co-producer and occasional recording artist, Allen Orange, who was Richbourg's right-hand man until the late 1960s.
Richbourg's biggest commercial success was bringing Joe Simon to the label in 1966. Simon had already scored two hits on Vee-Jay Records
Vee-Jay Records
Vee-Jay Records is a record label founded in the 1950s, specializing in blues, jazz, rhythm and blues and rock and roll. It was owned and operated by African Americans.-History:...
in 1964 and 1965, but was left without a recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
when that label folded. Richbourg produced fifteen singles for Simon on the label between 1966 and 1970. All of them would make the U.S. pop and/or R&B charts. Simon's biggest success on the label was his 1969 hit "The Chokin' Kind
The Chokin' Kind
The Chokin' Kind is a 1969 R&B single by Joe Simon, written by Harlan Howard. The single became Joe Simon's first number one on the R&B charts, where it stayed for three weeks. "The Chokin' Kind" was also Joe Simon's first top twenty entry on the pop singles chart. . It was also recorded by...
", which hit #1 on the R&B charts, and #13 pop, and sold over a million copies.
The only other charting artists on the label between 1965 and 1970 were Ella Washington and Roscoe Shelton
Roscoe Shelton
Roscoe Shelton was an American electric blues and R&B singer. He is best remembered for his 1965 hit single, "Strain on My Heart," and his working relationships with both The Fairfield Four and Bobby Hebb. Other notable recordings include "Think It Over" and "Baby Look What You're Doin' To Me"...
, both of whom had one charting R&B single apiece. Washington and Shelton were also the only artists (other than Simon) to release an album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
on Sound Stage 7 between 1965 and 1970. Although Sound Stage 7 released over a hundred singles during this era, the label only released eight albums, six of which were by Simon.
Other notable artists on the label during this era, who had chart success either before, or after, their stay at Sound Stage 7 included Roscoe Robinson
Roscoe Robinson (musician)
Roscoe Robinson is an American gospel and soul singer.Robinson recorded as a gospel solo artist in the 1950s with Trumpet Records, and sang in groups such as The Five Trumpets, Highway QCs, and The Fairfield Four. He began recording secular soul in the 1960s, and had two charting hits: "That's...
, Arthur Alexander
Arthur Alexander
Arthur Alexander was an American country soul singer. Jason Ankeny, music critic for Allmusic, said Alexander was a "country-soul pioneer" and though largely unknown, "his music is the stuff of genius, a poignant and deeply intimate body of work on par with the best of his...
and Ivory Joe Hunter
Ivory Joe Hunter
Ivory Joe Hunter was an American rhythm and blues singer, songwriter, and pianist. After a series of hits on the US R&B chart starting in the mid 1940s, he became more widely known for his hit recording, "Since I Met You Baby" . He was billed as The Baron of the Boogie, and also known as The...
.
Richbourg's production deal with Sound Stage 7 ended in 1970, and Simon left the label the same year. Orange, who had contributed to the label as a songwriter and co-producer also left the company in the late 1960s to form his own label, House of Orange Records.
Richbourg's return, and label dissolution (1971-1977)
Sound Stage 7 was dormant until late 1971, when Richbourg resumed producing material for the label, albeit at a reduced rate. From 1971 through 1976, Sound Stage 7 only issued twenty one singles. Post-1970, Richbourg devoted much of his production activity to artists at his own labels (Seventy Seven and Sound Plus), as well as producing material for Joe Simon at Simon's new label, Spring.Joining JR Enterprises as Richbourg's right hand man was Jackey Beavers. Beavers performed much the same function as Orange had in the 1960s, being a frequent songwriter and co-producer of Sound Stage 7 recordings, as well an occasional recording artist in his own right.
Notable artists on the label's roster during the 1970s included Betty Everett
Betty Everett
Betty Everett was an African-American soul singer and pianist, best known for her biggest hit single, the million-selling "The Shoop Shoop Song ".-Early career:...
and Ann Sexton
Ann Sexton
Ann Sexton is an American soul singer.Sexton recorded a number of records for John Richbourg during the 1970s...
. However, the label's only charting artist from 1971 to 1976 was Joe Simon, who hit with the single "Misty Blue" in 1972. The previously unreleased track had been recorded several years earlier, while Simon was still under contract to Sound Stage 7.
In 1977, Ann Sexton charted on the R&B chart with "I'm His Wife (You're Just A Friend)". This would be the label's final hit. Sound Stage 7's final release was the Betty Everett single "Prophecy", released in late 1977.
Reissued material (1978-present)
As part of the deal he made with Foster, Richbourg retained the rights to all the recordings he produced for the label. Various compilation albumCompilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
s have been issued over the years of Sound Stage 7 material, almost all of it drawing on the recordings controlled by JR Enterprises. Much of the Foster-controlled material has yet to see reissue.