Jab (3)

American label established by Buddy Killen and Jack Stapp with the support of Atlantic Records, in early 1967. Distributed by Atlantic Records as ATCO Record Sales from its inception in the late 1960's. Released a number of Country / Country-Pop titles. News article about the formation of the Jab Records label as published on page 1, 3, & 86 of the 18 Feb 1967 edition of Billboard magazine: "Atl. Sets Up Country Label By PAUL ACKERMAN NEW YORK - Atlantic Records, in association with Nashville recording and publishing executives Buddy Killen and Jack Stapp, has formed a new label, Jab Records, aimed at penetrating the country and country-pop markets. Jab Records will be distributed by Atlantic, which will also take care of pressing and billing. Jab product will be recorded in Nashville, under the supervision of Buddy Killen, who is president of the label. Killen, producer of many hits, will also take care of promotional and other activities. Jack Stapp, president of Tree Music and associated with Killen in publishing activities and in recording - the latter through Dial Records, also distributed by Atlantic - is vice-president of the new label. Joyce Bush, long-time associate of Stapp, is secretary-treasurer; and Ahmet Ertegun, Nesuhi Ertegun and Jerry Wexler, top Atlantic executives, are members of the board of directors. The Jab Records setup also includes a publishing affiliate, Ally Music, affiliated with Broadcast Music, Inc. Ally's president is Jack Stapp. Killen is vice-president. Killen has already started producing sides for release on the Jab label. The debut artist is Benny Martin. In addition, Killen has recorded five other artists, all of them well-known in the country field. Killen plans to release a schedule of both singles and albums. The principles of this latest partnership - Stapp, Killen and the Atlantic executives - have been closely associated for several years in the Dial Records operation. Dial product, including its chief star, Joe Tex, is produced by Killen and distributed by Atlantic. Dial has been an outstanding success in the rhythm and blues and pop markets. The Jab operation is intended to parallel in the country and country-pop markets what Dial accomplishes in r&b and pop. An 'In' Thing The alliance of Nashville country music operations with New York pop music firms seems to be an "in" thing in today's record business. Dollie Records, headed by Bill Denny, president of Cedarwood Music in Nashville, is distributed by Laurie Records, headed by Bob Schwartz, in New York. Murray Singer, Laurie vice-president, said Carl Perkins' "Country Boy's Dream" is doing well and the label is coming out with an album. "It's an excellent country music line and we have a great arrangement with Denny. The Dollie line is getting great reception by radio stations and this will be a label to be reckoned with." Another operation that appears to be moving into high gear is the deal between New York's Amy-Mala-Bell Records and two labels in Nashville - JED International Records and New World Records. JED International is headed by John Denny of Cedarwood Music and two records that have been released by Bell Records president Larry Uttal featured artists Betty Rodgers and Rusty Adams. New World Records is headed by Neal Wilburn and Bell Records had released a record by Sterling Blythe on this label."