MTM Records was an American

independent record label An independent record label (or indie label) is a record label that operates without the funding or distribution of major record labels; they are a type of small- to medium-sized enterprise, or SME. The labels and artists are often represented ...

specializing in country music. It was founded in 1984 as a subsidiary of the production company of the same name owned by actress Mary Tyler Moore. Howard Stark was the label's President, and Tommy West, originally of the musical duo Cashman and West, was Senior Vice President (both Stark and West worked together at

ABC Records ABC Records was an American record label founded in New York City in 1955. It originated as the main popular music label operated by the Am-Par Record Corporation. Am-Par also created the Impulse! jazz label in 1960. It acquired many labels befo ...

in the 1970s); staff songwriters included Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd of Foster & Lloyd, as well as Larry Boone and

Hugh Prestwood Hugh Loring Prestwood (born April 2, 1942) is an American Hall of Fame songwriter, whose work is primarily in country music. He was discovered by Judy Collins, who gave him his first hit "Hard Time for Lovers", which was recorded in 1978. Prestw ...

. In its four years of existence, fifty-one singles on the MTM label charted on the ''

Billboard A billboard (also called a hoarding in the UK and many other parts of the world) is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high-traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertise ...

'' country singles chart. The label also signed three rock music acts: The Metros from Minneapolis, Minnesota, who were discovered on '' Star Search''; In Pursuit, a New Wave rock group, and The Voltage Brothers, a family R&B act from Philadelphia. None of those groups' output charted. After MTM Enterprises was sold to Britain's Television South PLC in July 1988, the label was purchased by and absorbed into RCA Nashville. Becky Hobbs,

Paul Overstreet Paul Lester Overstreet (born March 17, 1955) is an American country music singer and songwriter. He recorded 10 studio albums between 1982 and 2005, and charted 16 singles on the ''Billboard (magazine), Billboard'' country charts, including two ...

, and Judy Rodman were then transferred to RCA's roster. Holly Dunn signed with

Warner Bros. Nashville Warner Records Inc. (formerly Warner Bros. Records Inc.) is an American record label A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a record label is a ...

, and her MTM masters went with her (Warner Bros. re-released the original MTM hit version of Dunn's hit, "

Daddy's Hands "Daddy's Hands" is a song written and recorded by American country music artist Holly Dunn. It was released in August 1986 as the third and final single from the album ''Holly Dunn''. The song reached #7 on the ''Billboard'' Hot Country Singles ...

," as the B-side of her 1990 single "Maybe I Mean Yes"). The Girls Next Door signed with

Atlantic Records Atlantic Recording Corporation (simply known as Atlantic Records) is an American record label founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun and Herb Abramson. Over its first 20 years of operation, Atlantic earned a reputation as one of the most i ...

, but their MTM hits are still owned by RCA.

Artist roster

*The Almost Brothers *The Debonaires * Holly Dunn * Girls Next Door *

Marty Haggard Marty Haggard (born June 18, 1958) is an American country music singer. He is the son of singer-songwriter Merle Haggard. Between 1981 and 1987, Haggard charted five singles on the Hot Country Songs charts, in addition to performing in his father ...

*Hege V * Becky Hobbs *In Pursuit *The Metros *

* Judy Rodman * Ronnie Rogers *

S-K-O S-K-O, originally known as Schuyler, Knobloch and Overstreet, was an American country music vocal group consisting of Thom Schuyler, J. Fred Knobloch, and Paul Overstreet. The original line-up recorded one album for MTM Records and charted three c ...

* The Shoppe *The Voltage Brothers

References

External links

Trisha Yearwood, receptionist with MTM Records
{{Authority control American country music record labels American independent record labels Record labels established in 1984 Record labels disestablished in 1988 MTM Enterprises