Oak Records
{{Infobox record label
| name = Oak Records
| image =
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| parent =
| founded = 1970
| founder = Ray Ruff
| defunct =
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| genre = Various
| country = United States
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| website = {{URL|http://www.oakrecordsmusic.com/}}
}}
Oak Records is an independent record label that has released recordings by Ernie Freeman, Doug Gibbs, Five Flights Up, James Talley, Stephanie Winslow, and Dwight Yoakam. It has been releasing recordings since the 1970s.
Info
The label was founded by Ray Ruff in 1970.Oak Records Website - [http://www.oakrecordsmusic.com/about The Oak Records Story]
In the latter part of 1971, Oak was a new company. Ruff, the owner, was preparing a 2LP set of Bible stories, Truth of Truths for Christmas to be pushed through independent distributors.Billboard, October 16, 1971 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=zQgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22Billboard&pg=PA62 Page 62 Late News, Output of 2-LP Sets Up; Spurs Multiple Pricing] In November, Billboard said he was involved in licensing deals with GRT Music Tapes. Due to the renewed popularity of religious music, Oak president Ruff had offers from record companies and a large advance for license rights to their rock opera album, Truth of Truths. Over them, he chose GRT Music Tapes.Billboard, November 13, 1971 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=-Q8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=Ray+Ruff+Oak+Records&pg=PA35 Page 36 Tape Cartridge GRT Biblical LP by Oak] By October that year they had their new vice-president and man in charge of promotion merchandising, Dave Chackler. Prior to his coming on board with Oak, Chackler had been the national promo chief for the Happy Tiger record label.Billboard, October 30, 1971 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=0QgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22Billboard&pg=PA6 Page 6 Executive Turntable]
It was announced in the January 8, 1972 issue of Billboard that Ernie Freeman was the head of A&R for the label.Billboard, January 8, 1972 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=8CcEAAAAMBAJ&dq=Ray+Ruff+Oak+Records&pg=PT7 Page 8 General News, Executive Turntable] Prior to that Freeman was a producer for the label.Billboard, December 11, 1971 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=Fg8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22Ernie+Freeman%22&pg=PA8 Page 8 Studio Track, By BOB GLASSENBERG] Also that year, Oak teamed up with Radio KDAY for the Truth of Truths Christian rock opera which was held at the Greek Theater in Los Angeles on April 2.Billboard, February 19, 1972 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=zigEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22&pg=PA4 Page 4 General News, KDAY & OAK In Easter "TOT Rite] A Recording of the same name was produced by Ray Ruff.Billboard, March 25, 1972 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=bSgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22&pg=PA16 Page 16 Talent, 10 Cities Set Easter Rock Rites] By mid November 1972, David Chackler had left Oak and joined Jimmy Miller Productions as its GM in charge of merchandising and promotion.Billboard, November 18, 1972 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=NQ8EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22Billboard&pg=PA4 Page 4 Executive Turntable]
Artists
Actor Lee van Cleef was signed to the label around June 1972 and set to become a recording artist.Altoona Mirror, Wednesday October 25, 1972 - [https://newspaperarchive.com/altoona-mirror-oct-25-1972-p-34/ Page 34 VAN CLEEF TO RECORD]Billboard, June 24, 1972 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=VigEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22Billboard&pg=PA18 Page 18 Talent, Signings] According to Ray Ruff, he was there to record concept albums. The first of the albums was to be called Gunfighter. According to the article in the July 8 article of Cashbox, the album was to be released in August that year and there were plans to release more by him.Cashbox, July 8, 1972 - [https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Cash-Box/70s/1972/Cash-Box-1972-07-08.pdf Van Cleef To Oak] Also in 1972, one of the label's artists Doug Gibbs had a hit on the soul chart with "I'll Always Have You There" which peaked at #25 on October 25.45Cat - [http://www.45cat.com/artist/doug-gibbs Doug Gibbs - Discography]Billboard, October 7, 1972 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=-A4EAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Doug+Gibbs%22Billboard&pg=PA25 Page 25 Billboard BEST SELLING Soul Singles]Billboard - [https://www.billboard.com/music/doug-gibbs/chart-history DOUG GIBBS, Chart History]
In the 1980s, Dwight Yoakam had a six track EP Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc. released on the label.Popsike - [https://www.popsike.com/Dwight-Yoakam-Guitars-Cadillacs-Etc-Etc-Original-6-Song-EP-On-Oak-Records/281613238789.html Dwight Yoakam "Guitars Cadillacs Etc Etc" Original 6 Song EP On Oak Records]Spin, September 1985 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=s-75jJsk3YgC&dq=%22Oak+Records%22Dwight+Yoakam&pg=PA28 Page 28]
Personnel
- President - Ray Ruff
- A&R Director, Conductor - Ernie FreemanBillboard, March 25, 1972 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=bSgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22&pg=PA16 Page 16 Talent, 10 Cities Set Easter Rock Rites]
- Vice president - Dave ChacklerBillboard, October 30, 1971 - [https://books.google.com/books?id=0QgEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Oak+Records%22Billboard&pg=PA6 Page 6 Executive Turntable]