Ernie Young

b. Ernest Lafayette Young, 2 December 1892, Giles County, Tennessee, USA, d. 8 June 1977, Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Based in Nashville, USA, Young was a jukebox operator, record retailer and disc jockey. A move into production was therefore logical, given his access to retail outlets. Nashboro was founded in 1951 to record gospel, and Excello Records in 1952. Using the band led by Skippy Brooks for backing, Excello recorded many local blues artists, while Nashboro acquired a distinguished roster, including Edna Gallmon Cooke, Morgan Babb, the Consolers and the Swanee Quintet. Although there was occasional national chart success, Excello’s predominant market was in the south. In 1955, Young finalized an agreement with Jay Miller whereby Miller recorded blues in his Crowley studio for Excello. A steady stream of classics was released, Excello’s greatest chart success being Slim Harpo. In 1966, owing to his age and ill health, Young sold the label and retired.