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Expand/collapse Collection Overview
| Size | About 17,280 items (240 linear feet) |
| Abstract | The Goldband Recording Corporation of Lake Charles, La., has played a key role in documenting and shaping musical traditions, tastes, and trends, both regionally and on an international level since 1944, when owner Eddie Shuler made his first recording to promote his band, the Reveliers. The music of the Reveliers and other early Goldband recordings reflect Shuler’ s preference for the country and western music of the 1930s and 1940s. In the mid-1940s, Iry LeJune, a Cajun accordion player, made his first recording on the Goldband label, and Cajun and zydeco styles became a permanent part of Goldband’ s catalog. Many other musical styles were recorded at the Goldband studios, including blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, and sacred music. The early recordings were intended for a regional market, but later Goldband recordings were released nationally and internationally. Materials document the operations of the Goldband Recording Company of Lake Charles, La., and other activities of Goldband’ s owner and manager, Eddie Shuler, such as TEK Publishing and other business ventures. Included are business records, correspondence, publicity materials for Goldband and for individual recording artists, studio recordings and released recordings in a variety of formats, sheet music and song lyrics, and other items. Business materials include Goldband and TEK manufacturing and accounting records. Correspondence documents all phases of the companies’ operations; major correspondents include Don Pierce and Mike Leadbitter. Of special interest are letters and accounting items that document the popularity of Cajun music in Europe and other parts of the world. Publicity and promotional materials include photographs of Goldband recording artists, promotional copy, mailings to radio stations, lists of customers, catalogs of Goldband recordings, and reviews of Goldband releases. There are also many newspaper and magazine articles relating to Goldband, to Shuler, to recording artists who worked for Goldband, and to other Louisiana musicians. Recordings include acetates, 78s, studio recordings, and released recordings in a variety of formats. Song lyrics and music include song folios from the 1940s. |
| Creator | Goldband Recording Corporation. |
| Language | English. |
Expand/collapse Information For Users
Expand/collapse Subject Headings
The following terms from Library of Congress Subject Headings suggest topics, persons, geography, etc. interspersed through the entire collection; the terms do not usually represent discrete and easily identifiable portions of the collection--such as folders or items.
These and related materials may be found under the following headings in online catalogs.
Expand/collapse Historical Information
The Goldband Recording Corporation of Lake Charles, La., has played a key role in documenting and shaping musical traditions, tastes, and trends, both regionally and on an international level since 1944, when Eddie Shuler made his first recording to promote his band, the Reveliers. In 1942, Eddie Shuler moved from Texas to Lake Charles to work as a dragline operator. He found additional part-time work in a music store, leading him into a career in the music business. His experience recording songs and messages on acetate discs for store customers gave him the knowledge he needed to begin recording his own band and other local musicians.
From 1943 to 1945, Eddie Shuler sharpened his songwriting and musical skills by playing with the Hackberry Ramblers, an established string band in southwest Louisiana who blended country, western swing, traditional fiddle music, and Cajun songs. The Hackberry Ramblers had made a number of records in the late 1920s, and reportedly made the first commercial recording of "Jolie Blonde," the song that has since become the Cajun national anthem. After Shuler left the Hackberry Ramblers, he opened his own music store with a $250 loan from his mother. He formed his own band, "Eddie Shuler's All-Star Reveliers", and made his first recording with them in 1944. This recording, "Broken Love," was released in 1945.
In 1946, Shuler let Iry LeJune, a Louisiana accordion player, perform on his radio show. The station manager, who was unfamiliar with the Cajun style of music, threatened to fire Shuler if he ever had Cajun music on his show again, but in several months, Cajun business owners began buying air time to play more Cajun music on the radio. LeJune made a recording on the Opera label but it was unsuccessful, so he asked Eddie Shuler to record him. In 1949, Shuler made a recording of LeJune, and he placed the records on jukeboxes at local dance halls and nightspots. LeJune's subsequent recordings for Goldband were all hits. After LeJune's death in an accident in 1954 the popularity of his music soared, helping to launch a revival of interest in Cajun music.
In the half century since the first recordings, Eddie Shuler and the Goldband Recording Company have helped document--and in many cases have created--some of the South's most important and distinctive musical styles and sounds, ranging from the thirteen-year-old Dolly Parton to Iry LeJune's sorrowful accordion, and others like Freddie Fender, Jimmy C. Newman, Rockin' Sidney, Boozoo Chavis, Al Ferrier, Gene Terry, Juke Boy Bonner, and Guitar Junior. Goldband has documented important Cajun artists including LeJune, J. B. Fusilier, Alphee Bergeron, Ron Bertrand, Sidney Brown, and Shorty LeBlanc. African American presence is strong in blues, zydeco, and r& b with groups and artists like Rockin' Sidney, Boozoo Chavis, Juke Boy Bonner, Guitar Junior, Big Chenier, Katie Webster, Cleveland Crochet and the Sugar Bees, Cookie and the Cupcakes, and Phil Phillips.
The early Goldband recordings reflect Eddie Shuler's musical preferences, shaped largely by the country and western record industry of the late 1930s and early 1940s. Through the 1950s, Shuler recorded many regional artists who played diverse styles of music, including Louisiana French music with fiddle and accordion, acoustic and electric blues, and gospel and sacred music. The early recordings were aimed at a regional market. Eddie Shuler distributed the recordings from the back of his car to record stores and to jukebox operators who placed the records on jukeboxes leased to local clubs, dancehalls, and restaurants. The Goldband Recording Company has released a number of hits, both locally and nationally. TEK Publishing Company complements the recording studio, publishing songs from lyricists all over the country.
The various labels included under Eddie Shuler's management reflect transitions in musical styles and also pioneering new ideas that took root nationally. The blending of traditional and modern musical styles led to hybrid forms of folk, rhythm and blues, boogie, rockabilly, and rock and roll.
In addition to the recording studio and Eddie's Music House, Eddie and his wife Elsie own and operate Quick Service TV Repair, which maintained a fleet of trucks, sold 45-100 TVs per day, and grossed $200,000 annually in the mid-1950s.
This collection includes musical history, musical artifacts such as records and promotional materials and studio tapes, and business records that help show how a small independent record producer conducted business locally and among the big corporation players like RCA and Columbia. Marketing strategies are revealed; for example, having multiple labels under one parent company assures better chances of having airplay on the radio.
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Expand/collapse Scope and Content
Materials document the operations of the Goldband Recording Company of Lake Charles, La., and other activities of Goldband’ s owner and manager, Eddie Shuler, such as TEK Publishing and other business ventures. Included are business records, correspondence, publicity materials for Goldband and for individual recording artists, studio recordings and released recordings in a variety of formats, sheet music and song lyrics, and other items. Business materials include Goldband and TEK manufacturing and accounting records. Correspondence documents all phases of the companies’ operations; major correspondents include Don Pierce and Mike Leadbitter. Of special interest are letters and accounting items that document the popularity of Cajun music in Europe and other parts of the world. Publicity and promotional materials include photographs of Goldband recording artists, promotional copy, mailings to radio stations, lists of customers, catalogs of Goldband recordings, and reviews of Goldband releases. There are also many newspaper and magazine articles relating to Goldband, to Shuler, to recording artists who worked for Goldband, and to other Louisiana musicians. Recordings include acetates, 78s, studio recordings, and released recordings in a variety of formats. Song lyrics and music include song folios from the 1940s.
Note that original file folder and other titles have, in many instances, been retained.
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Expand/collapse Series Quick Links
Expand/collapse Series 1. Eddie Shuler Personal Documents, ca. 1944-1992.
Documents relating to Eddie Shuler’ s varied activities including his songwriting and business honors and awards. Also included are an interview with Shuler and material concerning his band, the Reveliers.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 1.1. Eddie Shuler Personal Materials.
Included are materials relating to Eddie Shuler’ s band, the Reveliers, his songwriting, and induction into the Louisiana Hall of Fame; correspondence about Eddie Shuler’ s book, How to Become a Successful Independent Record Producer; and a small number of other items.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 1.2. Interview with Eddie Shuler.
Interview with Eddie Shuler taped by Southern Folklife Collection staff during a visit to the Goldband Recording Studio in 1995.
| Folder 10 |
Tape Log#20245, Sub-series 1.2. Interview with Eddie Shuler., Folder 10 |
Expand/collapse Sub-series 1.3. Hackberry Ramblers.
Materials relating to the Hackberry Ramblers, including newspaper articles, fan mail, song requests, and correspondence. Eddie Shuler performed with the Hackberry Ramblers for about 18 months, beginning in 1943.
| Folder 11 |
Articles and Clippings#20245, Sub-series 1.3. Hackberry Ramblers., Folder 11 |
| Folder 12-16 |
Fan Mail#20245, Sub-series 1.3. Hackberry Ramblers., Folder 12-16Folder 12Folder 13Folder 14Folder 15Folder 16 |
| Folder 17 |
Letterhead#20245, Sub-series 1.3. Hackberry Ramblers., Folder 17 |
| Folder 18 |
51st Anniversary Reunion#20245, Sub-series 1.3. Hackberry Ramblers., Folder 18 |
Expand/collapse Series 2. Financial Records, ca. 1948-1990.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.1. Accounts Payable Records.
Accounts payable materials, including information, correspondence, and invoices from suppliers.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.1.1. Suppliers.
Arrangement: alphabetical by company.
Catalogs, price lists, information, and correspondence from suppliers.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.1.2. Accounts Payable Invoices.
Arrangement: alphabetical by company.
Invoices from companies that sold materials to Goldband Records, TEK Publishing, or Eddie's Music House.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.2. Recording Sales and Accounts Receivable Records, ca. 1958-1989.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.2.1. Cash Sales.
Arrangement: chronological.
Documents and journals recording the cash sales transactions of Goldband Records.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.2.2. Accounts Receivable Invoices, 1970-1978.
Arrangement: chronological.
Invoices from sales of Goldband recordings, 1970-1978, grouped by year; correspondence, credit memos, and other materials related to accounts receivable.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.2.3. Accounts Receivable Invoices, 1981-1985.
Arrangement: alphabetical.
Invoices from sales of Goldband recordings, 1981-1985, arranged by purchaser.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.2.4. Accounts Receivable Ledgers, 1965-1986.
Arrangement: chronological.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 2.3. Miscellaneous Financial Materials.
Miscellaneous Goldband financial materials, including check registers, payroll slips, etc.
Expand/collapse Series 3. Record Manufacturing, Distribution, and Promotion, ca. 1950-1993.
Documents relating to the pressing of records, including information on various companies with which Goldband did business; distribution of records through radio stations and record stores; record promotion; and publicity.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 3.1. Record Manufacturing.
Materials dealing with the manufacturing of records, including prices and information from manufacturers; orders for pressing, label copy, and other correspondence; and manufacturing done for Anla Records.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 3.2. Record Distribution.
Materials dealing with the distribution of Goldband recordings, including record distributors, radio stations, and record stores, and with the catalog of Goldband recordings.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 3.3. Record Promotion.
Promotional materials for recordings and artists, promotional materials sent to radio stations, flyers, album covers and inserts, hit lists, orders and requests for promotional copies of recordings, and other items.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 3.4. Publicity.
Publicity material for the Goldband Corporation and recording artists, including newspaper articles, press releases, and reviews.
Expand/collapse Series 4. Legal Materials, ca. 1949-1990.
Documents concerning legal matters involving Goldband and its recording artists, including material on copyright, royalties, licensing and leasing, and contracts both in general and relating to individual artists.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.1. Copyrights.
Materials relating to song copyrights, including information from the Library of Congress about copyrights.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.2. Royalties.
Materials relating to royalties paid to recording artists by Goldband, including royalty statements and correspondence about royalties.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.3. Licensing and Leasing.
Song lease agreements, mechanical licenses, and correspondence about licenses and leasing.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.4. Contracts.
Miscellaneous contracts, including those with Charles Leath, Dover Records, and Chanson Publications. Included are some sheet music and song lyrics, contracts with songwriters and recordings artists, and blank contract forms.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.5. Correspondence.
Correspondence with songwriters and recording artists pertaining to songwriting and recording, contracts, and demos.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.5.1. Songwriting and Recording.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.5.2. Song Contracts.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 4.5.3. Recording Artists.
Expand/collapse Series 5. International Materials, ca. 1960-1963.
Documents concerning the international interest in Cajun and Zydeco music.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 5.1. Correspondence.
Correspondence with Adrian Sturm (Rockville International) and Bernard Boyat.
| Folder 473 |
Adrian Sturm#20245, Sub-series 5.1. Correspondence., Folder 473 |
| Folder 474 |
Bernard Boyat#20245, Sub-series 5.1. Correspondence., Folder 474 |
Expand/collapse Sub-series 5.2. Mike Leadbitter Correspondence and Related Materials.
Materials relating to Mike Leadbitter, including correspondence, newspaper articles, From the Bayou (book by Mike Leadbitter and Eddie Shuler), Delta Country Blues and Back Woods Blues (publications of Blues Unlimited), obituaries, clippings, and a small number of other items.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 5.3. International Recording Sales and Distribution.
Materials dealing with record sales outside of the United States, including correspondence and orders for recordings.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 5.4. International Licensing.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 5.5. Miscellaneous International Materials.
Expand/collapse Series 6. Photographs, ca. 1944-1995.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 6.1. Photograph Albums.
Photographs from albums that contained pictures of musicians, Eddie Shuler, and others. Included are photocopies of the pages as they were arranged in the albums. Albums are listed by their phyical characteristics or by numerical designations.
| Folder 518-520 |
Black Photo Album#20245, Sub-series 6.1. Photograph Albums., Folder 518-520Folder 518Folder 519Folder 520 |
| Folder 521-523 |
Photo Album with Wood Cover#20245, Sub-series 6.1. Photograph Albums., Folder 521-523Folder 521Folder 522Folder 523 |
| Folder 524-528 |
Blue Photo Album#20245, Sub-series 6.1. Photograph Albums., Folder 524-528Folder 524Folder 525Folder 526Folder 527Folder 528 |
| Folder 529-534 |
Brown Photo Album#20245, Sub-series 6.1. Photograph Albums., Folder 529-534Folder 529Folder 530Folder 531Folder 532Folder 533Folder 534 |
| Folder 535-565 |
Photo Album #1#20245, Sub-series 6.1. Photograph Albums., Folder 535-565Folder 535Folder 536Folder 537Folder 538Folder 539Folder 540Folder 541Folder 542Folder 543Folder 544Folder 545Folder 546Folder 547Folder 548Folder 549Folder 550Folder 551Folder 552Folder 553Folder 554Folder 555Folder 556Folder 557Folder 558Folder 559Folder 560Folder 561Folder 562Folder 563Folder 564Folder 565 |
| Folder 566-592 |
Photo Album #2#20245, Sub-series 6.1. Photograph Albums., Folder 566-592Folder 566Folder 567Folder 568Folder 569Folder 570Folder 571Folder 572Folder 573Folder 574Folder 575Folder 576Folder 577Folder 578Folder 579Folder 580Folder 581Folder 582Folder 583Folder 584Folder 585Folder 586Folder 587Folder 588Folder 589Folder 590Folder 591Folder 592 |
Expand/collapse Sub-series 6.2. Goldband Publicity and Artist Photographs.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 6.3. Loose Photographs.
Photographs stored in original envelopes, including images of social and special events and photographs of artists, including the Liberty Theatre Cajun Culture Program, Cajun Day 1987, and Link Davis's wedding.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 6.4. SFC Staff Slides and Photos.
Slides and photographs taken by Southern Folklife Collection staff on their visit to the Goldband studio, including photographs of the recording studio, Lake Charles, and Eddie and Elsie Shuler at home.
| Folder 672-674 |
Goldband Studio#20245, Sub-series 6.4. SFC Staff Slides and Photos., Folder 672-674Folder 672Folder 673Folder 674 |
| Folder 675 |
Eddie Shuler; Outside Photos#20245, Sub-series 6.4. SFC Staff Slides and Photos., Folder 675 |
| Folder 676 |
Panoramic Photos#20245, Sub-series 6.4. SFC Staff Slides and Photos., Folder 676 |
| Folder 677-678 |
Slides: Goldband Studio#20245, Sub-series 6.4. SFC Staff Slides and Photos., Folder 677-678Folder 677Folder 678 |
Expand/collapse Sub-series 6.5. Miscellaneous Photographs.
Interior and exterior photographs of the Goldband Recording Studio; framed photographs from the Goldband studio; photographs of artists, some autographed; and unlabeled photographs.
Expand/collapse Series 7. Other Documents, ca. 1943-1995.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.1. Other Goldband Business Materials.
Miscellaneous materials dealing with the operations of the Goldband Recording Studio, including business licenses, calendars, artwork for logos, and other materials.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.2. Other Correspondence.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.2.1. Miscellaneous Correspondence.
Miscellaneous correspondence. Correspondents include Johnnie Allen, Larry Benicewicz, Huey Meaux, and Les Blank.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.2.2. Wayne and Johnny Shuler Correspondence and Related Material.
Correspondence with Wayne Shuler and Johnny Shuler (Eddie Shuler's sons) and related material, including some pertaining to the Wayne Agency.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.2.3. Don Pierce Correspondence and Related Material.
Correspondence with Don Pierce (Starday, Starrite, Hollywood Records) and related material.
| Folder 754-759 |
Don Pierce#20245, Sub-series 7.2.3. Don Pierce Correspondence and Related Material., Folder 754-759Folder 754Folder 755Folder 756Folder 757Folder 758Folder 759 |
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.3. Events.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.4. Inspirational Material.
Inspirational and motivational materials, including numerous items written by Eddie Shuler concerning success in the music industry.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 7.5. TEK Publishing.
Expand/collapse Series 8. Periodicals, ca. 1943-1992.
Periodicals dealing with topics important to the Goldband label or that mention Goldband Records.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 8.1. American Periodicals.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 8.2. International Periodicals.
| Folder 813-814 |
Block #20245, Sub-series 8.2. International Periodicals., Folder 813-814Folder 813Folder 814 |
| Folder 815-825 |
Blues Unlimited #20245, Sub-series 8.2. International Periodicals., Folder 815-825Folder 815Folder 816Folder 817Folder 818Folder 819Folder 820Folder 821Folder 822Folder 823Folder 824Folder 825 |
| Folder 826 |
Country Hits Magazine #20245, Sub-series 8.2. International Periodicals., Folder 826 |
| Folder 827-829 |
International Publications#20245, Sub-series 8.2. International Periodicals., Folder 827-829Folder 827Folder 828Folder 829 |
| Folder 830-832 |
Rockville International #20245, Sub-series 8.2. International Periodicals., Folder 830-832Folder 830Folder 831Folder 832 |
Expand/collapse Sub-series 8.3. Correspondence with Periodicals.
Expand/collapse Series 9. Sound and Video Recordings and Documentation, ca. 1940-1992.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 9.1. Song Lyrics and Sheet Music.
Song lyrics and music, including songs used in recording sessions at Goldband, demo songs sent in by songwriters, and commercial sheet music and folios.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 9.2. Demo Tapes and Promotional Materials.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 9.2.1. Demo Tapes.
Demo tapes, some accompanied by letters, lyrics, sheet music, and promotional materials, sent to Goldband and TEK Publishing by aspiring songwriters and recording artists, including Ralph Riddle, Charles Leath, Bob Brown, and others.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 9.2.2. Demo Recordings on Other Media.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 9.2.3. Promotional Materials from Artists.
Promotional materials sent to Goldband by recording artists, including miscellaneous documentation that originally accompanied demo tapes, promotional packages from artists, song lyrics, and correspondence.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 9.3. Sound Recordings.
Studio recordings, masters, and released recordings of Goldband and related labels, including acetates, reel-to-reel tapes, 78 rpm records, 45 rpm records, LPs, 8-track tapes, cassettes, and CDs. Acetates, 1945-1960, include Quick Service TV ads, songs for lead sheets, safety copies of songs to be pressed, radio station demos, and publication demos. Also on acetate is the first recording of Nathan Abshire's "Pine Grove Blues," among the first records to help spawn the revival of interest in Cajun music and culture. Abshire was one of the most significant Cajun accordion players.
Expand/collapse Sub-series 9.3.1. Reel-to-Reel Tapes.
Goldband studio tapes, including mono and stereo masters, mixes, and multi-track recordings of Goldband recording artists. Tape formats include 1/4" (3", 5", 7", and 12" reels) and 1/2" masters, as well as 1" and 2" multi-track recordings. All tapes are 1/4" full-track mono or stereo unless otherwise noted. Song titles and artist names in brackets indicate assumed song titles as labeled on box.