An extraordinary offering of the first two foundational releases from the short-lived Athenian label out of Athens, Tennessee. Athenian 001 features Glen Thompson and his Dixie Playboys delivering the mournful "Troubles Keep Hanging 'Round My Door" backed with "Lovers Lane." Athenian 002 features country pioneer Bill Carlisle performing the gospel-tinged "It's No Secret" backed with the self-penned hillbilly track "Useless."
Year Recorded: 1950 (Thompson) & 1951 (Carlisle)

These records represent the brief boom of hyper-local, independent record labels that cropped up across the American South during the early 1950s. Enabled by cheap custom pressing operations and localized AM radio amplification, these small businesses challenged the monopoly of major labels, capturing regional sub-genres and dialects that otherwise would have been overlooked by mainstream commercial markets.

The Bill Carlisle tracks were recorded directly inside the studio rooms of local radio station WLAR in Athens, Tennessee, utilizing their broadcast equipment before Carlisle moved on to national fame at the Grand Ole Opry.
Condition Report:
• Athenian 001: Graded at Good Plus (G+). The shellac is quite rough with numerous surface marks, light scratches, and a duller appearance. It plays through completely but possesses significant, persistent surface noise typical of a heavily played regional independent pressing.
• Athenian 002: Graded at Excellent (E). Exceptionally clean copy with deep luster and superb fidelity.
Postage & Packing Info:
Sent using specialist packing materials. The discs are placed within a doubleskin box, supported securely by thick card stiffeners, layered in bubble wrap, and isolated with void fill.
Your item will be carefully packed and promptly dispatched.