It was this month in 1943 that Syd Nathan talked two WLW radio performers into going along with his latest idea--a record company based in Cincinnati. That first four-song session by Grandpa Jones and Merle Travis led to King Records producing nearly 30 years of music of all types while based in the Queen City. The list includes performers such as James Brown, The Stanley Brothers, Otis Williams and the Charms and Hank Ballard.
A news release from the City of Cincinnati says September will be a month-long celebration of King Records and its contribution to American music. Here's the schedule of events:
Two Cincinnati record stores will be offering month-long specials on King music. Everybody’s Records in Pleasant Ridge and Shake It Records in Northside will be offering 20 percent off any King-related item bought in September. Monday, September 1st - Friday, September 26th | A King Records Scrapbook. This exhibit lays out a timeline of a handful of events that took place at King Records during its years of operation between 1943 and 1973. Events range from the release of King’s first national hit by Cowboy Copas to the release of James Brown’s Please, Please, Please which launched his legendary career. The source of this content and the timeline presented were taken from A King Records Scrapbook written by Brian F.X. Powers. This exhibit is on display throughout the month of September at MOTR Pub in Over the Rhine, sponsored by Christian Moerlein. Wednesday, September 3rd | King Records Month Kick Off. To be held at the Evanston Recreation Center (3204 Woodburn Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45207) starting at 10am to announce the month’s events. In attendance will be legendary King artists Mr. Otis Williams, Mr. Phillip Paul, along with various members of the King Studios Board. The Honorable Mayor of Cincinnati, John Cranley, will be on hand to receive an honorary decree noting him as a Charm per Otis Williams and his son of the group Otis Williams And His Charms. Sunday, September 7th | King Records 71st Anniversary Celebration Concert. Held at Smale Riverfront Park (W. Mehring Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202/ 513-357-2621). Showtime 4pm to 7pm. On hand will be King Records ambassadors Mr. Otis Williams and Mr. Phillip Paul. Hosting the show will be Mr. Otis Williams himself. Performing will be the band *Caliber* (with some very special guest artists) and featured national recording artist *Freekbass*. Wednesday, September 10th | King Records Fellowship. To be held at Mr. Pitiful's (1323 Main St./ Cincinnati, Ohio 45202) from 6pm to 9:30pm. Come share your King stories/memories/memorabilia etc. In attendance will be Mr. Otis Williams, other members of the Charms and Mr. Phillip Paul to name a few. Music from the King catalogue will be played throughout the night. Wednesday, September 10th | Traveling Suitcase Education Roundtable. (Alumni Center 1507 Dana Ave., Xavier University): The Education Committee of the King Studio’s Project is hosting an informal roundtable to share our latest development: the King Studio’s Traveling Suitcase. When completed, the Suitcases will cover a variety of educational disciplines and be offered to teachers in our community as a unique and engaging way to support learning in classrooms that teach art, music, history, social studies, science or math. Educators are encouraged to RSVP by September 5: http://www.xavier.edu/eigelcenter/King-RSVP.cfm Sunday, September 14th | At the Comet Bar in Northside at 7:00 pm, the Comet Bluegrass All Stars will do a tribute to King’s Bluegrass artists. The Comet Bar will also be loading up its jukebox with King Records’ compact discs for King Record Month. Wednesday, September 17th | King Records Fellowship. To be held at Mr. Pitiful's (1323 Main St./ Cincinnati, Ohio 45202) from 6pm to 9:30pm. Come share your King stories/memories/memorabilia etc. In attendance will be Mr. Otis Williams, other members of the Charms and Mr. Phillip Paul to name a few. Music from the King catalogue will be played throughout the night. Saturday, September 20th | King Studio’s Pop Up Museum. (Community Blend 3546 Montgomery Road, Evanston). On Saturday September 20th from 12-5pm, King Studios is hosting a pop up museum in Evanston’s first employee-owned cooperative, Community Blend. King albums, photos and artifacts will be on display, and King-themed refreshments will be available for purchase. Community members are encouraged to come and share their “King Story” or show off their piece of King memorabilia. A short presentation on King Records and the King Studio’s project at 1pm will be followed by a walking tour to the original King Records site at 1507 Brewster Ave.