Challenge

Record label founded in 1957 by a quartet of investors headed by silver screen cowboy Gene Autry (initials "GA" appears on the early logo). The label was started by Gene Autry with some encouragement from Joe Johnson (16), a former law student at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Autry had wanted to call the label "Champion Records" for his wonder horse, but Decca Records already owned the name, even though it had been retired. "Challenge meant that we were going to challenge Decca and all the others", said Johnson, "and it was an answer to the challenge of not being able to use Champion". It began in March, 1957. In October 1958, Gene Autry sold his controlling 56 per cent share to Johnson and Johnny Thompson. Most notable for The Champs, The Knickerbockers, Wynn Stewart and Micky Dolenz (just prior to being cast for The Monkees) releasing singles on this label. Gary Usher was also contracted to the label and released songs under the names of The Four Speeds (2) and The Sunsets (2). For unofficial releases, see Challenge (3). For company credits, see also Challenge Records (10) or Challenge Records, Inc.. For the US shellac label, see Challenge (2).