Colonial Records


Colonial Records was a record label located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The records were distributed by ABC-Paramount Records from 1956 until May, 1959 when it was distributed by London Records. Tollie Records became the label's final distributor toward the end of Colonial's existence. The label was owned by Orville Campbell, a University of North Carolina Graduate and editor of the local newspaper. Some of Colonial Records artist were Andy Griffith, Bill Craddock, Johnny Dee, and George Hamilton IV. One album, Crash's Greatest Hits by Bill Craddock, was released on the label in 1986,although the label ceased to release new product on a large scale after 1965.This record label is now defunct.
Colonial Records was founded in 1951 off of royalty proceeds from a song called "All The Way Choo Choo" written by Orville Campbell and a partner in 1949 about UNC football star Charlie Justice. The tune was recorded by Johnny Long and his Orchestra and was released on King records, becoming regionally popular especially in North Carolina. Early Colonial releases dabbled in various genres including novelty, popular and bluegrass music.
The label had several large hits. One of the biggest comedy records of all time, and the first release by Andy Griffith, titled "What It Was, Was Football", was first released by the label in 1953. Because the label was too small to handle the success of the record, it sold the master to Capitol, gaining the label enough income to more seriously pursue the record business.
Another hit that the label had major success with was "A Rose and a Baby Ruth", by George Hamilton IV. The label sold about 50,000 copies of the record, and in October 1956, sold the rights to ABC-Paramount. ABC Paramount then sold nearly one million copies of the record.
Some other successful Colonial releases include "Sittin' In The Balcony" by Johnny Dee. It was released in 1957 as John D. Loudermilk's first solo release and reached #38 on the Billboard charts that year. It could have possibly reached higher except that newcomer Eddie Cochran's cover version of the song on the more established Liberty label won out in the competition reaching #18. Doug Franklin and the Bluenotes recording of "Lucky Love" made a good showing in 1958 placing in the Hot 100 at #73. Although not placing in the charts, "Ski King" by E.C. Beatty sold 140,000 copies within the first two weeks after its release in 1961 making it at least a regional hit.
Billboard Magazine 1957-1959. Cashbox Magazine 1959

Singles

[Allan and the Flames]

Virginia Beach Reel/Myrtle Beach Boogie

[Doug Franklin]

This record was recorded as Johnny Randall

Billy "Crash" Craddock (Bill Craddock)