Gusto was an American company, founded in 1973 by Tommy Hill, president of the 'Stop' label, and Moe Lytle. It was primarily a reissue label, though it did have its own roster of artists. It never released records in the UK, and it wouldn't feature on this site if it hadn't come to an agreement with a wholesaler of cutouts and deletions, Midland Record Distributors, in 1979. Initially that agreement led to Midland's import arm, Sounds Express, purchasing albums from Gusto, for direct sale at less than the usual import price. The albums were on Gusto-owned labels such as Starday, King and Federal, as well as on Gusto itself. The venture proved successful, and 'Billboard' of the 6th of October 1979 reported that 125,000 records had been shipped so far. 'Music Week' of the 20th of October carried an article which said that there had been a development in the relationship: Midland had signed a licensing agreement with Gusto, which was to make special pressings of three singles for the UK market. Red Sovine's 'Colorado Cool-Aid' b/w 'The Days Of Me And You' (GTE-101) was one of them; the two others were by Wynonie Harris and Boyd Bennett. Promotional expenses were to be shared by Gusto and Midland. All three singles duly appeared on the 9th of November, and they feature in MW's 'Releases' list for that week - the Harris and Bennett singles were on the King label (q.v.). 'Colorado Cool-aid' had been a 'B' side in the States earlier that year (GT4-9016), and 'The Days Of Me And You' had been an 'A' side there in the previous year (Startday, SD-188), so it seems probable that this coupling was intended for the UK only - its catalogue number is outside the usual American Gusto series. Perhaps the 'E' of the 'GTE' prefix stood for 'Export'? Midland director Peter Riley is quoted in a later issue of MW (3rd November 1979) as saying that other singles were planned, but that the company would only be looking to put out material which "stands a chance with both Pop and Country buyers". The company was to enjoy a Top 5 hit single in Britain in 1981 with Red Sovine's 'Teddy Bear' (Starday, SD-142), which was another of the fruits of the arrangement with Gusto. Unlike the 1979 releases, that record was pressed in this country.
Copyright 2016 Robert Lyons.