General American Records

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A label started by James Patrick Mills in Nashville in 1964, before he moved to Columbia, Missouri, then later to Chicago and finally settling in Cincinnati.


The first release, recorded in Nashville, by Jimmy Jay and The Trivials was really by J.P. Mills himself with the B-side being an original song to support their version of "Brown Eyed Handsome man." After this release, Mills moved to Columbia, where his label focused heavily on local garage rock coming out of the University of Missouri scene, where Mills was a college student who operated a booking agency. He eventually landed in Cincinnati putting our garage and psychedelic and even some funk and soul.

The publishing company associated with many of the releases was Slambeat Music (BMI), c/o James P. Mills, 406 Turner Street, Columbia, MO (1968 listing - same address as this General American label).


Interestingly, one of the last years for GAR there was a connection to the Godspell musical recorded in Billboard.

GAR29Apr1972.jpg


https://www.discogs.com/label/1589343-General-American-Records-3

https://www.discogs.com/label/195279-General-American-Records

https://www.45cat.com/label/gar-general-american-records