Earlier this week, the independent publishing powerhouse Primary Wave Music in partnership with Gibson—the iconic American instrument brand-- celebrated the 70th Anniversary of Sun Records at the Gibson Garage in Nashville. The evening was filled with performances of past hits from Sun Record artists throughout the 70 year history of the label. Tash Neal began the all-star event with a performance of "Iko Iko" and "Mystery Train,” Hannah Dasher performed “Hey Good Lookin’,” and Meghan Linsey took the stage for “That’s Alright (Mama),” Kristian Bush followed with a performance of "King of the Road" and "Boppin' the Blues" with Benji Shanks of Blackberry Smoke, and the legendary Emmylou Harris performed a heartfelt duet of “Love Hurts” with Chris Isaak. Finally, Chris Isaak sealed the evening with a performance of “Great Balls of Fire” and “I Forgot to Remember.”
RIAA presented a plaque to Primary Wave and Sun Records in honor of the incredible impact Sun Records has had on the music industry over the past 70 years.
(Chris Isaak and Emmylou Harris performing at the 70th Anniversary of Sun Records Event. Photo credit: Kyler Clark)
Key sponsors were Conagra and IMES (Iron Mountain Entertainment Service) with additional sponsors being Tito’s, Celsius-Life Fit, Levi’s, Sun Diner and RIAA. Beside sponsoring the party, Conagra donated $10,000 on behalf of Sun Records to the Nashville Food Project https://www.thenashvillefoodproject.org/. Silent auction raised funds for the Gibson Foundation – Gibson Gives https://www.gibsonfoundation.org/ and additional donations were also accepted on site.
“Sun Records will forever be the birthplace of rock and roll. To celebrate its’ 70th birthday with so many who have contributed to its’ legacy, past and future, is truly an honor”. - Dominic Pandiscia, Chief Strategy Officer Sun Label Group
“It is an honor, and so fitting, for Gibson to host the Sun Records 70th anniversary. Gibson and Sun have been partners in shaping sound with music icons for decades and are aligned in the preservation, restoration, and celebration of this rich music history. It is so exciting to see new fans discovering these incredible artists and their stories.” – Elizabeth Heidt, Gibson Guitars Global Vice President, Cultural Influence
“From Elvis to B.B. King, Roy Orbison, and more, it’s an honor, and so fitting, for Gibson to host the Sun Records 70th anniversary,” says Elizabeth Heidt, Vice President of Cultural Influence, Gibson Brands-Global. “Gibson and Sun Records have been partners in shaping sound with music icons for decades and are aligned in the preservation, restoration, and celebration of this rich music history. It’s so exciting to see new fans discovering these incredible artists and their stories.”
“Sun Records artists Howlin’ Wolf, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis and so many more had a cosmic, life altering effect on me at 14. We are blessed that Sam Phillips had such vision and this music was recorded and will live on and continue to inspire. It’s surreal to me that this kid from Middlesbrough, England is now signed to the Sun Records label and that I am here in Nashville celebrating their 70th anniversary. Dreams do come true so keeping dreaming.” - Paul Rodgers
