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Started in , King Records was the creation of one man, Syd Nathan. A native of Cincinnati, Nathan was a true character: all at once abrasive and abusive, charismatic and charming.

A loud, shrewd and sometimes crude businessman whose coarseness was leveled by his sense of humor, Nathan could inspire frustration and fury, love and loyalty, all seemingly in equal parts.

Syd Nathan — King Records founder at the height of his success [Courtesy of Rhino ] Born in , Syd Nathan was cursed since childhood with bad health, including failing eyesight and asthma, but he never let his physical shortcomings hold him back, and he pursued potential business opportunities relentlessly.

In , Nathan was still finding his way as a business man when he decided to try his hand at selling records. At his store on Central Avenue, Nathan initially catered to the Black residents of the neighborhood, stocking blues, jazz, and gospel records. When he began selling hillbilly and country records, the store attracted white customers with the same Southern roots as the Black community. Through his country music customers, some of whom were musicians employed at local radio station WLW, Nathan was inspired to make records himself.

In , he recorded up-and coming country stars Grandpa Jones and Merle Travis at a small studio in Dayton. King Records was here to stay. In , Nathan moved his still mostly aspirational operation to Brewster Avenue. It was at this location that he would build up one of the most successful, influential and innovative record companies of the post-war years.

Throughout the late s and s, the company released not only country and rhythm and blues records, but also bluegrass and western swing, blues, jazz, gospel and pop. And then there was James Brown. In January of , James Brown and his vocal group The Famous Flames signed to Federal Records, a subsidiary of King set up in to release mainly rhythm and blues records. From that, the two men would go on to forge a deep friendship, despite an increasingly frustrating and bitter business relationship.

But slowly, his musical vision came into sharper focus. The sound of James Brown. G: We love great music that we think that should have a wider audience. We have all figured out in our own ways over the years how to create and then find an audience. We know it when we hear it. How can positive mentors accelerate or adversely affect careers in music? We are fortunate to live in a city where musicians can survive and make a living, a good mentor and solid assistance from those who have walked a similar road, can be invaluable, and help an artist thrive.

ND: I think mentorship is an essential part of both the music industry and the Columbus music scene. I think it is at the forefront of what we are building especially considering our artists thus far are very much at the beginning of their careers.

The main thing we feel we have to offer beyond connections, production, or distribution, is experience. The result is always the same. I just took a friend from California to Hoodoo [Soul Band at Rumba Cafe] last night, he loved it, danced all night and talked about how he wishes there was more of a local scene in Santa Cruz.

They will celebrate with an end-of-year show airing on YouTube April 25 at 5 p. BRC provides recording, promotions, distribution, publicity, and other label services to a number of signed artists each year. Through the record label, students are given a taste of what a career in the music industry will be like after leaving the University. Preston Lynch said his role as BCR production supervisor came with surprising insights into leadership.

You often have to bend in certain places and stiffen in others and I don't think I would've had this kind of learning experience anywhere else. Lynch said the BCR team overcame additional challenges brought on by the pandemic.