JB-His Record Label Empire 6:2:25 2.58 PM Podcast By cover art

JB-His Record Label Empire 6:2:25 2.58 PM

JB-His Record Label Empire 6:2:25 2.58 PM

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 Intro by: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo: Wikimedia Public Domain

JAMES BROWN!
The Hardest Working Man in Show Business, the Godfather of Soul, Soul Brother Number One! He was a singer, he was a *force* of nature, a *movement*!

He started out at King Records back in '56. King gave him the launchpad, and he blasted off! But the man was too big to be contained. He had a vision, a sound, a *funk* that needed to spread like wildfire!

He started *Try Me Records* back in '63, under the watch of King honcho Syd Nathan. Named after his own chart-topper, it was meant to showcase the talent burnin' in his own revue. We're talkin' the Poets, Johnny and Bill from the Famous Flames, and even a young lady named Tammy Montgomery, who'd later become the incredible Tammi Terrell over at Motown! But that venture got sidelined when the big man had a tussle with King over his contract in '64.

But JB? He don't stay down for long!

Then came *Brownstone Records* in '70, a partnership with the sharp cat, Henry Stone. It was a place for his folks from the Revue that King wasn't giving a chance, like Bobby Byrd and the mighty Vicki Anderson. A quick shot of soul, but it was just a prelude to somethin' bigger!

And then, BAM! The main event! *People Records* in '71! This was *his* kingdom! A platform to unleash the raw talent he was surrounded by: Lyn Collins, Bobby Byrd again, Sweet Charles, and the infamous J.B.'s! He even jumped in himself, layin' down organ licks and background vocals.

It started out under King's wings, but Brown, he knew he needed more! So he signed with Polydor and took People Records with him. This was the real deal! A string of hit records, including the earth-shaking' "#1 R&B hit 'Doing It to Death!'"

But, like all good things, People Records eventually folded in '76, right around the time the J.B.'s started slippin' away. Still, the music lived on! Polydor put out those *James Brown's Funky People* compilations, three CDs of pure, unadulterated funk.

So, what's the moral of the story? James Brown wasn't just makin' records, he was buildin' an empire! He gave opportunities, he pushed boundaries, and he showed the world what raw, unadulterated soul was all about.

And that, friends, is how James Brown built his funky legacy. Now go put on some JB and GET ON UP!

I’m Gail Nobles and you’re listening to Soul POD Classics!
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