Statement of Problem

According to a study by the Recording Industry Association of America, only 14 percent of music recorded before 1965 is available commercially from rights holders (Barnes 8). Regarding West Texas Country Music from this same period, a smaller percentage of recordings are commercially available or known to consumers. Many of these records had production runs fewer than 1,000 copies with little or no distribution, making them scarce and sought-after.

 

This study investigates how several factors have contributed to these recordings becoming extremely rare, including:

  • Limited production and distribution

  • Payola in the music industry

  • The emergence of Elvis Presley and Rock n’ Roll

  • ‘Top 40’ radio programming

  • Copyright ownership consolidation by record labels

As well as why these recordings are important documents of working-class culture worthy of preservation and promotion.