''Alta Records'' was a record label founded in

Dallas, Texas Dallas () is the third largest city in Texas and the largest city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States at 7.5 million people. It is the largest city in and seat of Dallas County wi ...

in the early 1960s by pioneer, radio personality Jim Lowe. Lowe was a popular DJ who hosted a

rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, frequently abbreviated as R&B or R'n'B, is a Music genre, genre of popular music that originated in African-American communities in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed p ...

program "Kat's Karavan" from the

WRR-AM KTCK (1310 kHz; "SportsRadio 1310 The Ticket") is a commercial sports AM radio station licensed to Dallas, Texas, which serves the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex (DFW). Its daytime power is 25,000 watts, which is reduced to 5,000 watts at night. Th ...

studios located at Fair Park in Dallas. He was one of the first DJs in the

Southwest The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each sepa ...

to introduce early R&B recording artists to a mainstream, white audience. His program became enormously popular and was broadcast well into the 1960s. Lowe was also noted for airing his "Library Of Laughs" which featured many up and coming comics like

Brother Dave Gardner David Gardner (June 11, 1926 – September 22, 1983), known as Brother Dave Gardner, was a U.S. comedian, professional drummer and singer. A Tennessee native, Gardner studied drumming, beginning at age 13. After a one-semester term as a Souther ...

and Justin Wilson. Jim Lowe was a prominent record/music force in the DFW area having founded several labels including White Rock Records, Division Records and Alta Records . Lowe was also the voice of "

Big Tex Big Tex is a tall figure and marketing icon of the annual State Fair of Texas held at Fair Park in Dallas, Texas. The figure has become a cultural icon of Dallas and Texas. Since 1952 Big Tex has served as a cultural ambassador to visitors, ...

" at the

State Fair of Texas The State Fair of Texas is an annual state fair held in Dallas at historic Fair Park. The fair has taken place every year since 1886 except for varying periods during World War I and World War II as well as 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I ...

for many, many years. Alta Records were produced for the Top 40 radio market and they had several chart successes. Jim Lowe "The Cool Fool" (as he was known as) died in 2000 but left a legacy of popular recordings that have become highly prized collectibles in the world of vinyl. * Submitter's Note: Dallas' Jim Lowe should not be confused with the

Jim Lowe James Ellsworth Lowe (May 7, 1923 – December 12, 2016) was an American singer-songwriter, best known for his 1956 number-one hit song, "The Green Door". He also served as a disc jockey and radio host and personality, and was considered ...

who recorded "

Green Door "The Green Door" (or "Green Door") is a 1956 popular song, with music composed by Bob "Hutch" Davie and lyrics by Marvin J. Moore. It was first recorded by Jim Lowe which reached number one on the US chart in 1956. The song has been covere ...

" for

Dot Records Dot Records was an American record label founded by Randy Wood (record producer), Randy Wood and Gene Nobles that was active between 1950 and 1978. The original headquarters of Dot Records were in Gallatin, Tennessee. In 1956, the company moved ...

Alta Records discography

* 100: Gloria Barr: "Ain't That A Crying Shame"/"Love Me" * 101: Adam Lee: "Cruel Cruel World"/"Stairway of Love" * 102: The Destinys: "Think About It"/"What's Up" * 103: Odell Booker: "Chi Bob"/"Come Cry On My Shoulder" * 104: Gene Summers: "You Said You Loved Me"/"Tomorrow" * 105: * 106: Gene Summers: "Dance Dance Dance"/"Juke Box Memories" * 107: Larry Agan: "Honey Don't"/"Cryin' Time" * 108: Jimmy Velvit: "That's All I Got From You" (w/Bobby Hendricks)"/"I Got A Feeling" * 109: Jimmy Velvit: "Sometimes I Wonder"/"My Heart Is In Your Hand" * 110: * 111: Peyton Park: "Bad Mouth"/"Blue Norther (1964) * 112: Smokey's Stompers: "Gone"/"My Days Are Numbered" * 113: Glenn Keener: "Oil Break"/"Tracking" * 114: Susie Johnson: "Sweet Bird"/"Mourning Dove" * 115: Susie Johnson: "10,000 Tears"/"Time Hurries by"

Alta Records discography

See also