An independent British Country label, set up by B. J. Cole and based in Palmers Green, London N13. 'Music Week' of the 8th of April 1978 reported that Cow Pie Productions had signed a three-year licensing deal with United Artists; according to the article the company had been formed to record British Country artists. Three albums were expected, including one by Scottish singer Nancy Pepper. A month or so later 'MW' of 20th of May expanded the 'three albums' forecast to include 'a number of singles' during the coming twelve months; the material on the label was described as 'Middle Area - too Country to be Rock 'n' Roll, too rocking to be Country'. In the event three singles surfaced, by Cole himself, Nancy Pepper and Thom Fricker, between July 1978 and April 1979, and there was also a Nancy Pepper album. The singles shared United Artists' main UP-36000 numerical series, and EMI were responsible for manufacture and distribution, as they were for UA's other records. Demo copies were marked with a small black 'A' and the appropriate text (2). The deal with United Artists seems not to have run its full term: Cow Pie appears to have struck out on its own in 1980, with a new label design and PIE-000 catalogue numbers. At least five singles and two albums were issued from 1980-82; the artists involved were the Hank Wangford Band and Ricky Cool.
Copyright 2006 Robert Lyons.