First Generation Records

Pete Drake is still recognized as one of the truly innovative geniuses of the Nashville Sound, A-team studio musician, voted into the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, Atlanta Music Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame. Like so many of those who achieved success in Music City, Pete Drake's career in Nashville began at the Grand Ole Opry, America's greatest Country Music institution. He accompanied a wide range of artists on the Opry while establishing himself as one of the leading steel guitarists in all genres of the music business.

As Drake's career grew to encompass production, publishing, and a highly successful studio, his heart still remained with the Grand Ole Opry members. When Ernest Tubb left MCA Records after a thirty-five year affiliation, Drake jumped at the opportunity to fulfill a life long dream to produce Tubb. After Tubb was turned down by all the major labels in Nashville, Pete and Rose Drake created First Generation Records and Ernest signed with the new label. The Drakes envisioned a label dedicated to the recording and promotion of the true legends of the music business.

This pairing of artist and producer gave birth to the classic album Ernest Tubb: The Legend and the Legacy. Drake cut twenty of Tubb's greatest hits. As a special surprise, when the Texas Troubadour was on the road, Drake invited Willie Nelson to sing and play on the album. Willie brought along Waylon Jennings and Johnny Paycheck who also lent their talents to the album. Soon Charlie Daniel, Conway Twitty, Marty Robbins, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Rich, Vem Gosdin, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash and many other artists and musicians were invited to join in, resulting in one of the greatest musical tributes ever recorded. This project was presented to Ernest Tubb for his sixty-fifth birthday. Tubb

The success First Generation enjoyed with Ernest Tubb led The Drakes to expand the label's roster. Pete produced "The Stars of the Grand Ole Opry Series". This series featuring Justin Tubb, Billy Walker, Jan Howard, Stonewall Jackson, Ray Pillow, Vic Willis Trio, Jean Shepard, The Wilburn Brothers, Charlie Louvin, Lonzo & Oscar and Ferlin Husky were recordings of their giant hits as well as new material.

First Generation presented Slide, featuring the steel guitar sounds of Jimmie Crawford, Paul Franklin, Lloyd Green, Weldon Myrick, Hal Rugg, Bill West, John Hughey, Doyle Grisham, Jeff Newman, and Larry Sasser. Each steel guitarist chose their favorite classic songs to be played with the harmonies and sounds of other steel guitars creating a truly steel guitar classic sound.

Other unique offerings from First Generation include Ernest Tubb - Live from the Lonestar Cafe, recorded in New York City in 1978. Ernest Tubb - The Last Sessions - All Time Greatest Hits, a total of 47 songs, all Tubb's last studio recordings. Just You and Me Daddy is a collection of the only father/son duets by Ernest and Justin Tubb which ended up being a posthumous release from both legendary Opry stars. Justin Tubb had just finished the project using modern technology to fulfill his lifelong dream of recording duets with his father (by adding his vocal tracks to some of Ernest's recordings) when he passed away unexpectedly in early 1998.

Cal Smith, Tubb's Texas Troubadour and CMA's Artist of the Year recorded hits, Country Bumpkin, Drinking Champagne, The Lord Knows I'm Drinking as well new songs in Cal Smith's great traditional country style. First Generation Records will continue to make available the trailblazers of traditional country music.