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Banner Records

From Alfawiki
Banner Records
Company typeRecord label
IndustryMusic
PredecessorPlaza Music Company (principal label)
FoundedJanuary 1922; 104 years ago (1922-01)
DefunctDecember 1938 (1938-12)
FateDissolved after acquisition by CBS Broadcasting Network
Area served
United States
ProductsRecords (popular dance tunes, comedy, semi-classical, country, blues)

Banner Records was a United States-based record label active during the 1920s and 1930s, primarily created for the S.S. Kresge Company and marketed as an affordable option in discount retail outlets.

History

Introduced in January 1922, Banner served as the principal label of New York's Plaza Music Company. Plaza specialized in producing budget-friendly records for discount stores and appointed bandleader Adrian Schubert to oversee musical direction. Initially, Banner concentrated on popular dance tunes but also released comedy, semi-classical selections, as well as some country music and blues tracks. Early in its existence, the label leased recordings from Paramount Records and Emerson Records.

In July 1929, Plaza merged with Cameo-Pathé and the Scranton Button Company, forming the (ARC). ARC discontinued the Pathé and Emerson labels but continued operating others, including Banner. Following ARC’s acquisition of rights to Brunswick Records, Banner’s catalogue broadened to feature more African-American and country music titles, reflecting ARC’s expanded market approach. Within ARC-BRC, Banner ceded its leading budget label position to Melotone. Although some dime-store labels were phased out, Banner remained in production until December 1938, when CBS Broadcasting Network acquired ARC-BRC and subsequently dissolved all dime-store labels.

A separate Banner Records was founded in December 1946 by entrepreneur Sam Selsman, focusing on Jewish music and Yiddish comedy. While this postwar incarnation of Banner no longer produces new recordings, its catalogue continues to be available. This later Banner is unrelated to the earlier Plaza or ARC/BRC labels, nor is it connected to an early 20th-century dime-store label issued by Leeds and Caitlin despite similarities in label design.

Label series

At its inception in January 1922, Banner introduced two main series: the popular-oriented 1000 series and the "Standard" 2000 series that featured semi-classical music, comedy routines, and some Jewish-themed material. By mid-1927, the primary series reached number Banner 1999 before jumping to the 6000 range; meanwhile, the Standard series concluded at Banner 2183. The 6000 series ended at Banner 6167, followed by a 7000 series beginning at Banner 7001 and concluding early in 1929 at Banner 7265. Subsequently, the label resumed using earlier numbering starting at Banner 6200. After becoming part of ARC, this sequence terminated at Banner 6566 and restarted at 0500, advancing to 0872 within the same year. Later numbering resumed at 32001 alongside a price increase from 25 to 35 cents to align with other dime-store labels marketed as three records for one dollar. This continued until 1935 when dime-store labels adopted a unified numbering system. It is notable that some artists such as Robert Johnson, although appearing on related labels like Melotone, did not have releases on Banner itself.

Legacy

Banner records were widely distributed throughout the United States, highlighting their status as Plaza’s primary budget label. The sound quality was generally average or slightly below average due to cost-saving measures in materials used during pressing; this also impacted their resilience against heavy phonograph needles common at that time. As a result, most surviving copies exhibit considerable wear and surface noise but remain prized for their distinctive repertoire.

Consistent with its economical positioning, Banner frequently paired popular hit songs on the A-side with lesser-known or unusual B-side tracks unavailable elsewhere but issued on other Plaza/ARC labels. These B-sides include performances by artists such as Luis Russell, Duke Ellington, and small ensembles associated with the Ben Pollack orchestra.

Roster: Plaza era

Roster: ARC era

Although some performers from Banner’s previous phase remained active during 1929-1931, none were featured on the initial ARC label.[7][8][9][10]

 Morton Downey, Sr.  Duke Ellington  Ruth Etting  Alice Faye  Red Foley  George Hamilton Green  Joe Green  Mal Hallett  Mike Hanapi  Annette Hanshaw  Joe Haymes  Hokum Boys  Hoosier Hot Shots  Frankie "Half Pint" Jaxon  Gene Kardos  Ed Kirkeby  Lead Belly  Guy Lombardo  Nick Lucas  Charles Magnante  Wingy Manone  Frankie Marvin  Johnny Marvin  Memphis Minnie  Mills Blue Rhythm Band  Mills Brothers  Mitchell Christian Singers  Russ Morgan  Buddy Moss  Will Osborne  Ben Pollack  Dick Powell  Prairie Ramblers  Yank Rachell  Joe Reichman  Harry Reser  Fred Rich  Tex Ritter  Fiddlin' Doc Roberts  Dick Robertson (singer)  Adrian Rollini  Luis Russell  Andy Sanella  Singin' Sam  Roy Smeck  Phil Spitalny  Eva Taylor  Varsity Eight  Joe Venuti  Don Voorhees  Jay Wilbur  Josh White  Clarence Williams  Victor Young

See also

External links

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