Hickory Records

Hickory Records is a U.S. Record Label founded by Acuff-Rose Music in 1954 which operated the label up to 1979. Present owner Sony/ATV revived the label in 2007. Originally based in Nashville, functioning as an independent label throughout its history, it has had several distributors. From its inception in 1955 to 1973, Hickory was distributed independently. MGM Records then distributed the label in 1973, then ABC Records distributed it four years later. MCA Records inherited the ABC distribution deal when MCA bought ABC Records in 1979. The relationship between Acuff-Rose/Hickory and MCA turned sour shortly afterwards, so the Hickory label was discontinued and its catalog pulled when the distribution deal expired later in 1979. The entire Hickory output is now owned by Sony/ATV Music Publishing which owns the Acuff-Rose catalogue.
Even though the label originally began as a strictly country music label, Hickory signed a few rock groups (Neal Ford and The Fanatics and The Sparkles, from Texas), The Newbeats, as well as distributing a few UK Pye Records artists, including Donovan (Pye distributed Hickory in the UK).
Among the big hits that Hickory had on the pop charts included hits by Sue Thompson, Kris Jensen, Donovan, and The Newbeats.