Benson Records

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Logo for Benson Records
Logo for Benson Records

Benson Records was founded by Bob Benson & John T. Benson, beginning as the John T. Benson Music Publishing Company in 1902[1]. The record label started out as Heart Warming Records and would come to house labels such as Impact Records, Green Tree Records, RiverSong, StarSong and Home Sweet Home. In the 70s Impact Records became the top label with artists such as Sandi Patty, The Imperials, J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet, The Rambos, Dottie Rambo, The Archers, The Bill Gaither Trio, DeGarmo & Key and The Speer Family. Heart Warming Records became The Benson Co.

Contents

[edit] Overview

In 1980, Paragon Associates] formed a partnership with Zondervan to own/operate Benson Records. (Paragon Assoc. was founded in 1975 by Bob MacKenzie and Bill Gaither). Paragon sold its interest to Zondervan in 1983.[2]

In the 80s, Benson Records continued with success by signing a contract to distribute a new label founded by DeGarmo & Key member Eddie DeGarmo. Forefront Records was born and Dc Talk was signed. DeGarmo & Key would finish their career on Benson in the early 90s even though Forefront Records was sold to Chordant Distribution. In 1994 the name Impact Records was sold to Landmark Distribution.

Benson Records was sold to Provident/Zomba in 1997, which is now a part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment. The Benson label was reformatted to focus on new artists.[3]

Most recently the name Heart Warming Records and RiverSong was sold to Homeland Entertainment. Homeland is owned by Bill Traylor and former President of Benson, Bob Jones, Jr.

[edit] Artists

[edit] Hit Songs Recorded on Benson

Just a few of the many hits recorded over the years for Benson Records

  • Rise Again - Dallas Holm
  • Faith Unlocks The Door - Jake Hess & The Imperials (1965)
  • Reach Out To Jesus - The Imperials (1968)
  • He Touched Me - The Imperials (1969)
  • Sweet, Sweet Spirit - The Imperials (1969)
  • No Shortage - The Imperials *Grammy Award Winning Album (1975)
  • He's Coming Back -The Imperials (1976)
  • Jesus Is The Answer - The Archers (1973)
  • Put On Jesus - The Archers (1973)
  • Keep Singin' That Love Song - The Archers (1974)
  • He Loves You - The Archers (1974)
  • I'm Excepted - DeGarmo & Key
  • Judgment Day - DeGarmo & Key (1992)
  • The King Is Coming - Speer Family
  • Cornerstone - Speer Family
  • We Shall Behold Him - Dottie Rambo
  • I Go To The Rock - Dottie Rambo
  • Midnight Cry - Gold City (1986)
  • Going, Going Gone - Gold City (1994)
  • Excuses - Kingsmen Quartet
  • Wish You Were Here - Kingsmen Quartet
  • 40 Days and 40 Nights - Songfellows Quartet
  • Jesus Is Coming Soon - Oak Ridge Boys
  • The Statue of Liberty - J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet
  • How Great Thou Art -J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet

[edit] Links

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Benson Music
  2. ^ Benson Music
  3. ^ Benson Music