Indianapolis, IN (Leonard Scott) - Tyscot Records, the Indianapolis based company that is recognized by many industry experts as the oldest surviving independent gospel label in the nation, is celebrating 30 years of producing, manufacturing and producing good gospel music.
Tyscot was established in 1976 by Leonard Scott, a practicing dentist, and L. Craig Tyson, as a recording vehicle for the Christ Church Apostolic Choir, the label's first artist. Although Scott and Tyson had to work hard to get radio airplay for their artists at first, they gained momentum in the 1980's with artists such as the Pentecostal Ambassadors and Robert Turner and the Silver Hearts.
Tyson later relocated to another State and relinquished his share of the label to Dr. Scott, who continued to operate it simultaneously with his dentistry practice. In 1988 Dr. Scott's son Bryant took over the day to day operations, becoming general manager.
During the late 80's and early 90's, Tyscot experienced tremendous growth and success mostly due to the recordings of a new artist at that time named Rev. John P. Kee. Rev. Kee and his New Life Community Choir had climbed the charts with each successive recording to land in the number one position in 1992 with the recording, We Walk By Faith.
The company faced a severe crisis in 1993 when Dr. Scott was told that Tyscot's distributor had filed for bankruptcy and would not be able to give the label money that had been generated from the sale of its albums. This meant, in turn, that Tyscot would not be able to pay its artists.
'But each of our artists stayed with us and renewed their contracts even though there was no guarantee they would be compensated,' said Scott. As the 1990's progressed, Tyscot experienced tremendous success with John P. Kee, whose 1999 release, 'Not Guilty,' sold more than 500,000 copies and gave Tyscot a Gold Record.
Today Tyscot has a roster of artists who boast a national and international following, including Deitrick Haddon and Voices of Unity, the Rance Allen Group, Rodnie Bryant, Bishop Larry Trotter, Inner City Mass Choir, Morris Chapman, Bishop Leonard Scott, VaShawn Mitchell, Chris Jones, DeAndre Patterson, Lucinda Moore, Carman, and the Anointed Pace Sisters.
Dr. Scott, who was described by Christ Church Apostolic pastor, Bishop James Tyson, as a 'double-portion man' and a 'jack-of-all-trades,' currently operates his dentistry practice, the recording company and his church out of a near North side office building. His congregation, Rock Community Church, was established in 2001 after he felt a call to ministry. He has released a new book, Soaring With Eagles, and a new CD project, Hymns and Church Songs Live From Alabama, to help celebrate the Tyscot 30 year milestone. https://www.bishoplscott.com.
