Cash Records

Cash Records was an independent American record label name used by more than one small-scale music operation. The best-documented incarnation was based in Los Angeles and connected to record-store owner, promoter, and studio operator John Dolphin. Dolphin operated from premises at 4854 West Jefferson Boulevard and later at 2610 South Crenshaw Boulevard, combining retail activity with a modest demonstration studio. The label and its surrounding studio operation provided a platform for regional performers and recording artists rather than functioning as a large national music corporation. Artists associated with the Los Angeles Cash Records operation included pianist and bandleader Ernie Freeman, Jimmy Merritt, Don Deal, and Jerry Capehart with the Cochran Brothers, the latter pairing Eddie Cochran and Hank Cochran. These associations place the label within the mid-century Los Angeles independent-recording ecosystem, where small labels, local record shops, studio facilities, and artist-development networks often overlapped. The available reference material does not establish a complete release catalogue, founding date, corporate structure, or a definitive end date for this incarnation. The name was later used by Dickie Goodman for a separate and short-lived venture. After Rainy Wednesday Records folded, Goodman released the 1975 novelty single “Mr. Jaws” under the Cash Records name. The record parodied the popularity of the film Jaws and was distributed by Private Stock Records. It became a national success, reaching the top five on the Billboard chart and number one in Cash Box magazine. Goodman’s Cash Records issued only that single and the associated album, “Mr. Jaws and Other Fables,” according to the available reference material. Because several unrelated or obscure labels also used the name Cash, the brand is best understood as a historical record-label imprint rather than a single continuously operating company. Its documented significance comes from its role in Los Angeles independent recording and from the brief commercial impact of Goodman’s “Mr. Jaws” release. No current operating business, active catalogue-management company, public listing, or official website is established by the supplied sources.

Cash Records is documented primarily as a small independent label connected with Los Angeles record-store and studio operator John Dolphin. Dolphin’s operation was located first at 4854 West Jefferson Boulevard and later at 2610 South Crenshaw Boulevard. In addition to selling records, he maintained a small demonstration studio, giving local and emerging performers a place to record. This retail-and-studio model was characteristic of independent music businesses that operated outside the major-label system. The label’s associated artists included pianist and bandleader Ernie Freeman, Jimmy Merritt, Don Deal, and Jerry Capehart with the Cochran Brothers. The Cochran Brothers consisted of Eddie Cochran and Hank Cochran, who recorded together before Eddie Cochran became known for his solo career. The surviving reference material does not provide a complete chronology of Cash Records’ releases or enough information to determine its exact founding and closure dates. It also does not establish that all releases bearing the Cash name came from a single continuous corporate entity. The Cash name was subsequently used by novelty-record producer and performer Dickie Goodman. In 1975, after Rainy Wednesday Records had folded, Goodman released “Mr. Jaws,” a parody inspired by the popular film Jaws, under Cash Records. Private Stock Records handled distribution. The single performed strongly in the United States, reaching the top five on Billboard and number one in Cash Box magazine. Goodman also released the album “Mr. Jaws and Other Fables” under the same label identity. The available account identifies these as the only releases from Goodman’s Cash Records version. Several other obscure labels also used the name Cash. Consequently, Cash Records should not be treated as a clearly continuous modern company or as equivalent to other better-known businesses using “Cash” in their names. Its historical profile consists of a Los Angeles independent-label operation associated with John Dolphin and a separate, brief 1970s novelty-music imprint associated with Dickie Goodman.

• 1975

  “Mr. Jaws” becomes a national novelty hit

  [1]Cash Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Dickie Goodman released “Mr. Jaws” under Cash Records after Rainy Wednesday Records folded. Distributed by Private Stock Records, it reached the Billboard top five and topped Cash Box.

• Los Angeles Cash Records operation associated with John Dolphin

  [1]Cash Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Cash Records operated from John Dolphin’s Los Angeles record-shop and demonstration-studio locations at 4854 West Jefferson Boulevard and later 2610 South Crenshaw Boulevard.

Independent and regional record-label imprint, with one later incarnation focused on novelty music.

• Recorded music

  Music recordings by the Los Angeles Cash Records operation

  The Los Angeles imprint issued or was associated with recordings by regional performers including Ernie Freeman, Jimmy Merritt, Don Deal, and Jerry Capehart with the Cochran Brothers. The supplied reference does not provide a complete discography or detailed release chronology.

• Novelty single · 1975

  Mr. Jaws

  A 1975 Dickie Goodman parody of the film Jaws, released under the Cash Records name and distributed by Private Stock Records. The single became a major United States novelty hit, reaching the top five on Billboard and number one in Cash Box magazine.

• Album · 1975

  Mr. Jaws and Other Fables

  The album associated with Dickie Goodman’s 1975 Cash Records venture. It accompanied the successful “Mr. Jaws” single and is identified in the available reference as one of only two releases from that incarnation of the label.

• 1975

  Release of “Mr. Jaws” through Cash RecordsProduct launch

  Background

  After his Rainy Wednesday label folded, Dickie Goodman used the Cash Records name for a novelty record responding to the popularity of the film Jaws.

  Action taken

  Goodman released the “Mr. Jaws” single and the related album “Mr. Jaws and Other Fables” under Cash Records, with distribution handled by Private Stock Records.

  Aftermath

  The single achieved national commercial success, reaching the top five on Billboard and number one in Cash Box magazine. The reference identifies these as the only releases from Goodman’s Cash Records version.

  Source

1. 1Cash Recordsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Cash Records discography on Rockin' Country Stylerockincountrystyle.com