Naptown musicians on King Records

October 08, 2025

This October, PBS will air a new documentary titled “King of Them All: The Story of King Records.” The film tells the story of the influential King Records label, founded in 1943 by Syd Nathan in Cincinnati, Ohio. King began as a country music label, recording artists such as Moon Mullican and Cowboy Copas, before later expanding into R&B, gospel, and rockabilly.

By the late 1950s, King Records had become a powerhouse in R&B and soul music, launching the careers of Little Willie John, Hank Ballard and the Midnighters, and—most famously—James Brown. Located just over 100 miles from Cincinnati, Indianapolis became a reliable source of talent for King Records. Many notable Indianapolis artists recorded for the label, from country star Lattie Moore to jazz legend Jimmy Coe.

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, we’ll share an hour of music from Avenue artists who recorded for King, including The Hampton Family, Flo Garvin, Sarah McLawler, Bill Jennings, Thurston Harris, and more.