Art Records started in the late 1940s as a transcription and recording service located in the Cadillac Hotel in Miami Beach, Florida. In fact, the name of the company, American Recording and Transcription Service, gave rise to the acronym ART, which became the name of the label itself. It was owned and operated by Harold E. Doane, who also served as A&R Director of the label. Doane was in his forties when he established Art Records, and recorded some 900 reels of performances at clubs, lounges, and aboard cruise ships before finally calling it quits in the 1980s as an octogenarian.

The ART Service was located in the Cadillac Hotel as late as 1949. Their address as of mid-1950 was 304 Lincoln Road in Miami Beach. By 1951, they had moved to Miami and located at 2185 NW 79th street there. By 1960, they had settled at 1224 NW 119th Street in Miami, and had changed their name to Art Records Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Sometime after the mid-1960s, they relocated to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Art Records had a short-lived subsidiary in 1957-58, AFS Records (American Federation of Songwriters), which was owned by Harold Doane and Mitch Lebow.

From the beginning, the label specialized in recording the lounge and club acts that were appearing in Miami hotels and clubs, and clubs across the water in the Bahamas. Much of the time, these recordings were "live" recordings of their lounge acts for distribution on vinyl. The albums on the Art Records label were manufactured to be sold by the artists themselves at their club appearances. Because of this, a much, much greater percentage of records on the label are autographed by the artists. In fact, later albums feature a small box on the back of the album with the notation "For Autographs".

Many of the early 1950s recordings were of calypso music, usually recorded in the Bahamas. And because some of the early albums were meant to be sold in clubs in the Bahamas, which were British islands, early albums were sold there under the "Bahamas Records Ltd." label, with the same catalog number as the mainland Art Records counterparts. The first three albums were issued in 1951. As was the custom of the time, many of the early albums are 10" LPs, but the demise of the 10" album in the mid-1950s led to a switch to 12" albums exclusively by the late 1950s.

As for the artists on the label, one might expect to find people "on the way up" as well as those who never made it farther than the lounge circuit. Indeed, several of the artists are known to have recorded for other labels, usually after the days when they were hawking their own albums for a few extra bucks. Herbie Brock, for example, was a pianist who recorded a 1966 album on Art Records, then later recorded for Savoy and Criteria. Guitarist Alan Sandlin also recorded for other labels.

Perhaps the most noted of the Art Records "alumni" is Ronnie Prophet. Ronnie was born Ronald Lawrence Victor in December, 1937, in Canada. He was raised in Quebec, and by the time he was a teen in the early 1950s, he was performing on radio in Ottawa's country music program called The Happy Wanderers. He moved to Montreal a couple of years later and appeared in clubs there from the mid-1950s to 1964. That year he moved to the Miami/Ft. Lauderdale area, where he performed as a comedian, guitarist, and country singer. He often performed as a "one-man show," doing skits and impersonations with various props as well as singing and playing. Some of his performances were also in the Bahamas. Naturally, he came to the attention of Art Records, and they recorded three albums of material for him to sell at his appearances. In 1969, he moved to Nashville and began a career as a country and western artist. Meanwhile, he continued his showmanship by appearing on Canadian TV, including his own Ronnie Prophet Show in the summer of 1974. After signing with RCA, he placed five sides on the US Country charts starting in 1975, the biggest hit being "Sanctuary," which reached #26. By 1977, he had slipped off the US charts, but he remained popular in Canada and had many hits there in the 1970s and 1980s. On some of these, he sang duets with his wife, Glory-Anne Carriere. He also had a TV show on the BBC in England. Today, he often performs in Branson, Missouri, one of the venerable country veterans who populate that country/easy listening music tourist mecca.

Generally, the Art label was red or maroon with silver print, although very early labels were green. The design varied little from the early 1950s to the late 1960s. Later, after the company moved to Ft. Lauderdale, the label was orange and black, and several earlier albums have been known to be reissued with the orange and black label. Harold Doane, in his nineties, finally sold the back catalogue of tapes in 1999 to Darryl Scott, a former publicist for Epic Records, and Drake Sutton-Shearer. The two had formed 2Tribes Entertainment in Miami. The new owners were able to save about half of the masters.

We would appreciate any additions or corrections to this discography. Just send them to us via e-mail. Both Sides Now Publications is an information web page. We are not a catalog, nor can we provide the records listed below. We have no association with Art Records. Should you be interested in acquiring albums listed in this discography (which are all out of print), we suggest you see our Frequently Asked Questions page and follow the instructions found there. This story and discography are copyright 2005 by Mike Callahan.

Cover	Number - Title - Artist - [Release Date] (Chart) Contents
	ALP 1 -
	ALP 2 -
	ALP 3 - Blind Blake - Blind Blake [9/51] Album has a dark green label.
	ALP 4 - Blind Blake and His Victoria Calypsos - Blind Blake [6/52] This is a 10" LP.
	ALP 5 -
	ALP 6 -
	ALP 7 -
	ALP 8 -
	ALP 9 - Dirty Dick's Famous Bar - Delbon Johnson's Calypso Rhythms
	ALP 10 - Calypso - George Symonette
	ALP 11 -
	ALP 12 -
	ALP 13 -
	ALP 14 - Calypso and the Bahamian Rhythms: A Second Calypso Album by George Symonette, Bahamian Troubadour - George Symonette Sextette [1955] This is a 10" LP. Label is Bahama Records Ltd. The Sextette includes Berkley "Peanuts" Taylor. Peas And Rice/Sponger Money/Delia Gone/Eight Babies//Love Alone/J.P. Morgan/Goombay/Boat Pull Out/Bahama Mama
	ALP 15 -
	ALP 16 -
	ALP 17 -
	ALP 18 - West Indian Calypso Music - Mighty Panther & Lad Richards [1/57]
	ALP 19 - Calypso Eddie - Calypso Eddie [1957]
	ALP 20 -
	ALP 21 -
	ALP 22 -
	ALP 23 -
	ALP 24 -
	ALP 25 -
	ALP 26 -
	ALP 27 -
	ALP 28 -
	ALP 29 -
	ALP 30 -
	ALP 31 -
	ALP 32 - The RUM HOUSE presents the "Personalities:" Musical Mayhem & Madness Recorded LIVE at the Galt Ocean Mile Hotel, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - Personalities [1963?]
	ALP 33 -
	ALP 34 - Caught in the Act, Volume 2 - Personalities [1964?] Hello Dolly/The Girl From Ipanema//Hey Lolly Lolly Lolly/This Is All I Ask/Oh Marie
	ALP 35 -
	ALP 36 - Bonnie Anderson Wrecks the Wreck - Bonnie Anderson [1964?]
	ALP 37 -
	ALP 38 - Bill Barner Laughs It Up - Bill Barner [1964?]
	ALP 39 - An Interlude with the Interludes - Interludes [1965?] Recorded at the Carioca Room of the Americana Hotel in Miami. Group includes Johnny Milanese, Billy Kay, Stan Hayman, and Mickey Milanese.
	ALP 40 -
	ALP 41 - Oceana - Andy Bartha & His Deep South Dixieland Jazz Band [1965?]
	ALP 42 -
	ALP 43 - Ronnie Prophet [Volume One] - Ronnie Prophet [1965] Recorded at the Jolly Roger Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale and the Jack Tar Grand Bahama Hotel. This album has no bands between songs. Intro from Jolly Roger/King Of The Road/I Left My Heart In San Francisco/The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise (instrumental)/Scotch And Soda/I Remember You//Dear Heart/The Third Man Theme (instrumental)/My Boomerang Won't Come Back/Yankee Doodle Dixie (instrumental)/Malegueña (instrumental)/They Call The Wind Maria
	ALP 44 - On Stage - Christi & Coats [1965?] "Coats" is Smoky Coats.
	ALP 45 - Rotsa Ruck - Arnie & Chise [1965?]
	ALP 46 -
	ALP 47 -
	ALP 48 -
	ALP 49 -
	ALP 50 - Abbey Albert at Lago Mar - Abbey Albert [1966?]
	ALP 51 - Ronnie Prophet Sings and Plays [Volume 2] - Ronnie Prophet [1966] Recorded "live" at the Union Jack Pub of the Grand Bahama Hotel and Country Club, West End, Grand Bahama Island. Michele/Canadian Sunset/Ahab The Arab/Shame And Scandal/Old Cotton Fields/More/Kansas City Star//House Of The Rising Sun/Baby The Rain Must Fall/Yesterday/Blueberry Hill (Comedy)/Freight Train/Wings Of A Dove
	ALP 52 -
	ALP 53 - Blackie Nelson and the Personalities - Blackie Nelson & Personalities [1966]
	ALP 54 -
	ALP 55 -
	ALP 56 - A Night Out at the Oceana - Bill Barner [1966] 2-LP set. Recorded "live" at Jack Wood's Oceania, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
	ALP 57 -
	ALP 58 -
	ALP 59 -
	ALP 60 - The Night and Herbie Brock at the 700 Club - Herbie Brock [1966] Dr. Zhivago/Strangers In The Night/On A Clear Day/All The Things You Are//My Funny Valentine/Misty/September Song/Days Of Wine And Roses
	ALP 61 -
	ALP 62 -
	ALP 63 - A Fun Evening With Don Hayes At His Baldwin Organ & Piano - Don Hayes [1967?] Recorded "live" at the "21" Lounge of the Mark 2100 Motel at Ft. Lauderdale Beach. Alley Cat/Calcutta/Tonight We Love/Autumn Leaves/Til The End Of Time/Tea For Two/September In The Rain/(others)
	ALP 64 - Living It Up with Teddy Greaves - Teddy Greaves [1967?] Recorded "live" in the Turtle Walk Supper Club at the Grand Bahama Hotel, West End, Grand Bahama Island. With Ossie Hall, Cedric Brook, Edner Gungard, and George McLeary. Original issue has a cover photo of Greaves water skiing. Reissue (shown at right) has a photo of Greaves on a boat deck. On A Wonderful Day/Granada/Aldela/Cucurucucu Paloma/32nd Of May/Swahili Song/Zombie Jamboree/Ma And Pa/Quando Caliente El Sol/Linstead Market Medley/Out Of Nowhere/Jamaica Farewell/Shame And Scandal/Closing
	ALP 65 -
	ALP 66 -
	ALP 67 - Wrecks - Bonnie Anderson [1967?]
	ALP 68 -
	ALP 69 -
	ALP 70 -
	ALP 71 - Ronnie Prophet, Volume 3 - Ronnie Prophet [1968?]
	ALP 72 -
	ALP 73 - The Crescendos - Crescendos [1968?]
	ALP 74 -
	ALP 75 - Danny and the Tunesmen, Volume 2 - Danny Bridges [1968?]
	ALP 76 - Here's Teddy Greaves and His Groovy Group - Teddy Greaves [1968?]
	ALP 77 -
	ALP 78 -
	ALP 79 - Live in Miami - Four Bits [1968?]
	ALP 80 -
	ALP 81 -
	ALP 82 - Two Happy People - Jolene & Bill Alexander [1969?]
	ALP 83 - Live, Volume 5 - Personalities [1969?]
	ALP 84 -
	ALP 85 -
	ALP 86 - Andy Bartha and His Deep South Dixieland Jazz Band - Andy Bartha & His Deep South Dixieland Jazz Band [1969?] Take Me to The Land of Jazz/Blues My Naughty Sweetie Give to Me/Memphis Blues/Milneberg Joys//Careless Love/Bye Bye Blues/The Word Got Around/Melancholy Blues/Wolverine Blues
	ALP 87 -
	ALP 88 -
	ALP 89 -
	ALP 90 -
	ALP 91 - On the Road - Johnny Johnson [1969?]
	ALP 92 -
	ALP 93 -
	ALP 94 -
	ALP 95 -
	ALP 96 -
	ALP 97 -
	ALP 98 -
	ALP 99 -
	ALP 100 -
	ALP 101 -
	ALP 102 -
	ALP 103 - Happiness Is the Scotties - Scotties [197?]
	ALP 104 -
	ALP 105 -
	ALP 106 -
	ALP 107 -
	ALP 108 -
	ALP 109 - These Jokers are Wild - Lou Marsh & Tony Adams [197?]
	ALP 110 - Hi Booger, Volume One - G. David Howard [197?]
	ALP 111 -
	ALP 112 -
	ALP 113 -
	ALP 114 -
	ALP 115 -
	ALP 116 -
	ALP 117 -
	ALP 118 -
	ALP 119 -
	ALP 120 -
	ALP 121 -
	ALP 122 -
	ALP 123 -
	ALP 124 -
	ALP 125 -
	ALP 126 -
	ALP 127 - I Remember You - Alan Sandlin [1975] I Remember You/Smoke Gets In Your Eyes/My Prayer/Only You/Chatanooga Choo Choo/If You Know What I Mean/Send In The Clowns//They Call The Wind Maria/Cattle Call/The Last Farewell/Medley: I Remember Elvis/My Way
	ALP 128 -
	ALP 129 -
	ALP 130 -
	ALP 131 - Live! - Richard Thomas [197?]
	ALP 152 - I Make the Rondos of the Condos - Dick Catin [197?]

Thanks to Dr. Annette Gilchrist.



Back to the Discography Listings Page


Back to the Both Sides Now Home Page