Sunbird Records
Sunbird Records was an independent record label in the United States during the late 1970s and 1980s. Freddie Hart had a few hits with Sunbird after he left Capitol Records in 1979.[1] Earl Thomas Conley also recorded some hits with Sunbird while working with Randy Scruggs.[1] Delbert McClinton recorded his hit "Not Exactly Free" with the label.[2]
Background
[edit]The label was founded by Nelson Larkin.[3]
Elroy Kahanek was one of the label's employees. Bobby G. Rice also recorded with the label.[4] Sheb Wooley with Hi C. Lea recorded the single "Jackhammer Man" with the label in 1981.[5] Price Mitchell and Rene Sloane did a recording on a 45 of "Mr. And Mrs. Untrue" and on the B side "Savin' It All For You" on Sunbird[6] (he had recorded the 1971 Candi Staton song with Jerri Kelly in 1975). The same 45 was also released on Sunset Records.
Earl Thomas Conley recorded his Blue Pearl album with Sunbird.[7] His song "Fire and Smoke" from the similarly titled album reached #1 on the country music chart in 1981[8] and he was soon signed to RCA Records.
Freddie Hart had a Top 20 hit with "Sure Thing" on a Sunbird album in 1980 and then three Top 40 hits in 1981.
Later years
[edit]Founder Nelson Larkin died at age 70 on Monday, November 18, 2013.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Carlin, Richard (May 7, 2003). Country Music: A Biographical Dictionary. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9780415938020 – via Google Books.
- ^ Stambler, Irwin; Landon, Grelun (July 14, 2000). Country Music: The Encyclopedia. Macmillan. ISBN 9780312264871 – via Google Books.
- ^ Taste of Country, November 1, 2013 - Producer and Songwriter Nelson Larkin Dead at 70 - Billy Dukes
- ^ "Sunbird Records Label Discography - USA - 45cat". www.45cat.com.
- ^ "Sheb Wooley - Jackhammer Man - New and Used Vinyl, CD and Cassette | Reverb LP". lp.reverb.com.
- ^ "Price Mitchell And Rene Sloane - Mr. And Mrs. Untrue" – via www.45cat.com.
- ^ Haislop, Neil; Lathrop, Tad; Sumrall, Harry (May 8, 1995). Giants of Country Music: Classic Sounds and Stars, from the Heart of Nashville to the Top of the Charts. Billboard Books – via Internet Archive.
sunbird records.
- ^ "Billboard.com - Year End Charts - Year-end Singles - Hot Country Songs". Billboard. December 11, 2007. Archived from the original on December 11, 2007.
- ^ Taste of Country, November 1, 2013 - Producer and Songwriter Nelson Larkin Dead at 70 - Billy Dukes