Shelby bought more masters than he produced but he had a track record. But one thing you might not know is you can thank him for Programmers Digest which is circulated on the internet now. After the crossover Harper Valley PTA, Buddy Blake, who was pretty much a one man promo dept for SSS International, wanted something different to get top 40 PD's attention so they would take his calls as Shelby hoped for more crossovers. They had the mailing list. Pressing lps was cheap. And stations were happy to submit presentations of anybody raving about them.
Problem is, back then, from KHJ to CKLW to WFIL and WABC every top 40 station in America sounded like a million bucks. People would hear airchecks and literally one could argue WMAK in Nashville had the same impact here that KFRC had in San fran. NOw, decades later, with that kind of dazzling, naturally fun sounding and energized radio documented, Programmers Digest is getting more listens than ever because when stacked up against today's stuff, there is no comparison. Thing is, when you hear it on the internet, you're not seeing the envelope it used to be delivered in, from SSS International records on Belmont Blvd in Nashville. And without hype or fanfare on the album cover, pay for by the labels sole owner, Mr Singleton.
