K-tel

According to the http://www.jimmie-rodgers.com web site:

KTEL: The “Today” side masters of this double album are now owned by Jimmie Rodgers.

Album listed above was released and sold or licensed to K-tel without Jimmie Rodgers knowledge. It was originally recorded in Nashville on Scrimshaw Records owned by Bob Gentile (now deceased). The album was produced by Jimmie Bowen. Six of the songs on the today side and two songs on the yesterday side were written by Jimmie Rodgers. These songs have been released in Australia, England and the U.S.

In their divorce settlement (Melanie Gentile) Bob Gentile’s ex wife received ownership of the Scrimshaw masters and released the songs through K-tel without notifying Jimmie Rodgers. At some point she sold the masters to Grant Griffin in California who sold the masters back to Jimmie Rodgers. Rodgers now has the masters and a written bill of sale signed by Griffin.

In the confusion Rodgers has never received any information about the sale or license to K-tel nor has he received any royalties. The album was an $80.000 dollar production by Scrimshaw Records. Record of inventory to Jimmie Rodgers dated Nov. 27 1989.
The agreement between Grant Griffin American International Records and Jimmie Rodgers is dated Nov. 27 1989. Sold to Jimmie Rodgers for 500.00 dollars. The sale to Grant Griffin From Melanie Gentile is dated September 6 1986 for 3000.00 dollars. All information about this album should be passed on to Jimmie Rodgers (owner) who now has the masters.

Although there were many compilations before, K-tel – initially trading as Majestic in Australia – began the trend to heavy marketing of compilations and samplers in the late 1960s…

Learn more »