Kit Records
A label active in 1956 that was owned by Alan Bubis. The catalog from this label is included in the Champion Records label.
With just a few releases, the label included singles by several well-known and influential artists. The first single by Joyce Paul, who would later have a successful series of country hits, includes songs written by Ted Jarrett and published by Babb Music, the publishing company of Bill Beasley, Howard Allison, Alan Bubis, and Reynold Bubis. Don Q. Pullen considered a leading black bandleader and promoter in Nashville during the 1950s recorded two singles with Clenest Gant. Cliff Butler, a Louisville R&B musician who came originally out of the local jug band sensation provided a pair of comedic twists, around the time he was also recording some sides for Nasco Records also in Nashville. News reports from the time in Cash Box Magazine indicated that Cincinnati blues artist Roosevelt Lee had also recorded for Kit, but those recordings seem to be lost. The planned 7" was "Get Out of Town, Mr. Whiskey" backed by "Come Little Girl." This second song was eventually released a year later in 1957 by a Cincinnati label. Roosevelt Lee would go on to also have a recording on Excello Records.
The other two singles from the original Alan Bubis-owned label featured the early work of Baker Knight, whose songs would later be performed by Elvis, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Ricky Nelson, psychedelic groups and numerous country stars, from hank Williams Jr to Jerry Lee Lewis, and including an Academy of Country Music Song of the Year in 1976. His work on Kit included his rockabilly group The Knightmares: Shuler Brown (bass), A.D. Derby (keyboards), Bill Weinstein (drums), Glenn Lane (sax), and Nat Tortorici (sax). After their debut single, "Bop Boogie to the Blues" did well, their follow-up performance proved to be the most successful Kit release. "Bring My Cadillac Back" was a local radio hit. After it was picked up for distribution by Decca Records, it got national attention until radio stations refused to play it, considering it unpaid advertising for Cadillac cars. Baker Knight then stayed with Decca for several more releases before being dropped and pursuing acting and further musical connections in California.
The Kit Records of the 1962 continues to carry songs written and performed by Baker Knight, disconnected from the rest of the catalog. While Baker Knight had gone out to LA in the late 50s, he had some good success as a songwriter but failed to gain traction as a performer. His autobiography "A Piece of the Big Time," mentions his struggles with alcoholism during this period. Alan Bubis who owned Kit among his family of labels, and was also Baker's manager and helped promote his songs. While Knight's book makes no mention of Kit, it describes in detail how the Knightmares were discovered by Bubis who mentored his career, helping to bring him to LA, and went to great lengths to promote his catalog. The 7" by The Payments showcases two Baker Knight songs. The A side song "Brand New Automobile" includes spoken vocals over a doo-wop chorus in a style that would later prove successful in his country songs as well. The year before Landa Records, out of California, had some success with the Baker Knight penned song "Cantina" being performed by another group, The Tronics, whose B side was also a Baker Knight song. The other releases on the revived Kit are performed by Baker Knight. "The Locket" was also recorded by Pat Boone for Dot Records.
Releases[edit | edit source]
All releases are 1956:
Joyce Paul - Goofin Off / Tell Me The Truth (7"), cat# 45-883
Don Q's Band Featuring Clenest Gant - Jump-Jump-Hi Ho / I Hate To See You Go (7"), cat# 45-884
Cliff Butler and His Band - Rent's Too High / Fool (7"), cat# 45-885
Baker Knight & The Knightmares - Little Heart / Bop Boogie To The Blues (7"), cat# 45-886
Don Q's Band Featuring Clenest Gant - Hallelujah / Love Me Always (7"), cat#45-887
Baker Knight & The Knightmares - Bring My Cadillac Back / I Cried (7"), cat# SO 900
Releases (1960s Baker Knight label)[edit | edit source]
These releases are not included in the Champion Records inventory catalog.
All releases are 1962.
The Payments - Brand New Automobile / Cantina (7", Single), cat# 101
Baker Knight - Whose Little Baby Are You / Bring It On Home (7", Single), cat# 102
Baker Knight - The Locket / Bring it On Home (7", Single), cat# 103
External references[edit | edit source]
https://www.45cat.com/label/kit-nashville
https://www.discogs.com/label/526169-Kit-Records-Inc
https://www.discogs.com/label/1401733-Kit-Records-5 1960s Baker Knight releases
A Piece of the Big Time (my songs - my success - my struggle for survival). Baker Knight. Authorhouse. 2005
http://www.blueslandproductions.com/50s60s_catalog.html
http://rcs-discography.com/rcs/search.php?type=labpk&key=2109
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baker_Knight