Tribute to Henry Glover of King Records

“Black history” now has its own month, but like all of our shared history, it should be explored and celebrated year-round. In that spirit, here’s a brief introduction to one of my personal heroes, Henry Glover, on the 50th anniversary of his moving to Ohio. Henry Glover is one of the unsung heroes of American music. Glover (1921-1991) was a musician, arranger, songwriter, record producer and, from 1949-1959, Artists & Repertoire (A&R) Director for King Records in Cincinnati. He was the first black producer in country music and only the second black man to hold an executive position with a record company in the U.S. Glover helped make King the powerhouse record company it was in the 1940s and 1950s.

Glover was born in the resort town of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and was playing piano and cornet by his teenage years. He attended Alabama A&M on a music scholarship. After graduating with an education degree, Glover enrolled in a master’s program at Wayne State University in Detroit, but when bandleader Buddy Johnson offered the young musician a job, Glover jumped at the chance. He lasted only a few months playing trumpet and arranging for the Johnson band, but subsequent gigs with Willie Bryant, Tiny Bradshaw and Lucky Millinder further honed his skills.

Glover was playing in Millinder’s band when King founder Syd Nathan approached him at a gig and asked Glover to supervise some recording sessions. Glover enjoyed his first success as a producer with his Millinder band-mate Benjamin “Bull Moose” Jackson, who had such big R&B hits as “I Love You, Yes I Do,” “All My Love Belongs To You” and “I Want a Bow Legged Woman.” Glover also produced numerous R&B hits by Wynonie Harris, Little Willie John, Earl Bostic, Bill Doggett and others.

Shortly after Jackson’s first hits, Nathan asked Glover to work in the studio with King’s country artists, including Grandpa Jones, Moon Mullican and the Delmore Brothers. Glover had especially productive relationships with Mullican, with whom Glover co-wrote “I’ll Sail My Ship Alone,” and the Delmores, for whom Glover co-wrote and produced “Blues Stay Away from Me,” the biggest country hit of 1949.

Glover was a pioneer who integrated the post-WWII record industry, but he always downplayed that aspect of his career. “Even when I traveled in the south recording country people,” Glover said, “[there was] never a big deal about it. They took it as something altogether different, not me trying to integrate or anything like that. They saw that I had something to offer. I knew what I was doing, and people had me there because I could be of benefit to the artist.”

His modesty notwithstanding, Henry Glover made history with King Records in Cincinnati. He was involved with scores of hits, and he broke down many barriers in the music business. He fully deserves a spot in both the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame. That he’s not a member of either is just plain wrong.