Challenge Records
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Challenge Records was a record label put out by the Sears-Roebuck Company. Issues were drawn from other labels in the late 1920s. Banner, Gennett and Paramount Records were drawn from; there were surely others. Sears also had the Silvertone label; and the same recording of "Black Bottom" by Joe Candullo & his Evergreens Orch. exists. Around 1929 Sears did away with Challenge and Silvertone, replacing them with Conqueror Records until World War II.
There was a second Challenge Records that was founded in the late 50's by cowboy singer Gene Autry and former Columbia A & R represenitive Joe Johnson. Their biggest hits were by Rock & Roll instrumental group The Champs ("Tequilla"), Pop music singer Jerry Wallace ("Primrose Lane") and by Country music singer Wynn Stewart ("Wishful Thinking"). Other artists on label were Jan & Dean, Bobby Austin, Jerry Fuller, Johnny & Jonie, Bob Morris, Jan Howard, & Darnell Miller. The company went out of business in the late 60's and the masters are owned by Sony/Tree music inc.