Leased masters

After a decade spent in the radio business acquiring valuable skills as a recording engineer, dee-jay, salesperson and general self-promoter, Sam C. Phillips launched Memphis Recording Service in late 1949 to offer recording services on demand to the public both on site and in the tiny studio he had built at 706 Union Avenue. While the public end of the business was a fact, there can be little doubt that Phillips intended all along to make a foray into the record business as well.

Thus between recording weddings and public speakers, Phillips began recording the rural blues music that interested him most, then took the logical next step of attempting to lease masters to some of the independent record labels that were flourishing at the time. 4 Star / Gilt Edge Records were the first to bite, releasing this pair of sides by Lost John Hunter and his Blind Bats.