Hi Records

Hi Records was a Memphis soul and rockabilly label started in 1957 by singer Ray Harris, record store owner Joe Cuoghi, Bill Cantrell and Quinton Claunch (formerly producers for Sun Records), and three silent partners, including Cuoghi's lawyer, Nick Pesce. Hi Records' first big hit was "Smokie Part 2", an instrumental by The Bill Black Combo in 1959. Black was a bass player with Elvis Presley and a long time friend of Ray Harris. Founder Claunch was forced out of the label, selling his share in 1960 to Carl McVoy (Jerry Lee Lewis' cousin), who had been involved with label since its first recording and worked with Bill Black. Willie Mitchell joined the label that year as a recording artist. He later went on to produce Al Green in 1968....