In 1988 at the National in Anaheim, California, Tom Manning, Nick Hartley and Jim Ford discussed the possibility of starting a new square dance record label. Each of these callers was recording for other labels and they had decided it was time to go out on their own and try a new venture. A new partnership was formed called T-N-J Productions and Solid Gold Records along with subsidiary Silver Streak Records were born.
A studio was found in Indianapolis, Indiana where Nick would work on production of music while Jim handled distribution and Tom worked on the business aspects. It seemed like the perfect fit. Nick hit the studio hard and by the spring of 1989 and the CALLERLAB convention in Nashville, Solid Gold had its first four releases, three singing calls and a hoedown.
With the passing of Jim in the fall of 1990, the partnership was dissolved. In the summer 1993 Tom and Nick went their own way. Tom became the sole owner of Solid Gold and Silver Streak with Nick taking over operations of Yellow Rose Records that had been started during Jim’s illness. With the help of Jack Berg and Heartland Studios in Galena, Tom continued to produce music under the Solid Gold/Silver Streak labels.
In the fall of 1993 Tom asked some close friends to record on Solid Gold. By the National Convention in 1994 in Portland, Oregon, Don & Doug Sprosty, Bob Asp and Dean Dederman had releases on Solid Gold.
In 1995 a studio was found closer to home. Tom found Musician’s Pro Shop in Burlington. It was a terrific working relationship with Joel & Patti Kipp until Joel’s untimely death in the summer of 2014.
Solid Gold has been very supported of the National Convention and core group of Tom, Bob, Don & Doug have called together at every convention since 1994, doing after parties and other functions at the conventions. Solid Gold also had a vender booth at every convention since 1989 until Solid Gold was the last record label with a vender booth at the 2011 National in Detroit.
Along with producing square dance music we have tried our hand with round dance music. Bob Puall, Leta Thomas, Ted Floden, Adrienne Nelson, Natalie Sprosty have choreographed and cued tunes for Solid Gold.
Solid Gold tries to record a variety of music, from country to rock and roll. It has been a great ride and we look forward to a long future. If you have suggestions for music or other comments, please drop us a note or give us a call.