Yuletide Records

Yuletide Records was a daughter label of Modern Records, the Los Angeles record company established by brothers Saul, Jules, and Joe Bihari in 1945. Unlike Modern's principal rhythm-and-blues operation, Yuletide was created for a narrowly defined seasonal repertoire: Christmas music. The available historical record identifies it primarily as a specialized imprint rather than as an independent label with a separately documented management structure, recording studio, artist roster, or long-term commercial strategy. The imprint belonged to the wider Bihari label network, which also included such associated names as Kent, Crown, Flair, Meteor, and RPM. Modern became an important force in American blues and rhythm and blues during the 1940s and 1950s, issuing or acquiring recordings by performers including Hadda Brooks, Etta James, Joe Houston, Little Richard, Ike and Tina Turner, and John Lee Hooker. Yuletide occupied a different role within that portfolio by concentrating on holiday releases rather than the core R&B market. Modern's operations changed substantially over time. The Biharis formed Kent Records in 1958 and stopped issuing records on the Modern imprint. Modern was revived in 1964, but the company later entered bankruptcy and ceased operations. The available reference material does not provide a distinct operating end date for Yuletide Records, nor does it identify a later revival. In practical terms, Yuletide is best understood as a historical imprint whose existence was tied to Modern Records rather than as an active contemporary brand. No reliable information is supplied here about its founding year, specific releases, catalog size, artists, sales, or present rights ownership.

Yuletide Records was established as a daughter imprint of Modern Records in Los Angeles. Modern had been founded in 1945 by the Bihari brothers and developed into a significant independent American label specializing in blues and rhythm and blues. Its principal managers were Saul, Jules, and Joe Bihari, with older brother Lester involved intermittently. Yuletide's documented purpose was distinct from Modern's primary business: it specialized only in Christmas music. The imprint formed part of a broader network of labels associated with Modern, alongside Kent, Crown, Flair, Meteor, and RPM. This multi-label structure allowed the Biharis to issue different types of material under separate brand names. The available reference material does not identify a dedicated Yuletide executive team, specific recording personnel, named artists, or a complete discography. It also does not establish a precise launch date, number of releases, or a separate legal company structure. Modern's business changed after the Biharis created Kent Records in 1958 and stopped issuing records on the Modern name. The Modern imprint returned in 1964, when the Ikettes achieved several successful singles, but the parent company later went bankrupt and ceased operations. Modern's catalog subsequently moved into Kent Records' management. In the 1980s, the back catalog was licensed to the United Kingdom label Ace Records, and during the 1990s the masters were sold outright; Ace Records is identified in the reference material as the current owner of Modern's master tapes. The supplied sources do not specifically state whether Yuletide recordings were included in those transactions or identify their current rights status. Accordingly, Yuletide Records is documented as a historical seasonal sub-label within the Modern Records family. Its significance lies in the specialization of a major mid-century independent label's output into a Christmas-music imprint, rather than in a separately recorded corporate history. No evidence in the supplied material indicates that Yuletide remains active.

• 1990

  Modern's master catalog is sold

  [1]Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1990s, the Modern master catalog is sold outright, with Ace Records later identified as the owner of the master tapes. The specific treatment of Yuletide masters is not detailed.

• 1980

  Modern's back catalog is licensed to Ace Records

  [1]Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  During the 1980s, Modern's back catalog is licensed to the UK label Ace Records. The source does not specify whether every Yuletide release was included.

• 1964

  Modern Records is revived

  [1]Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Modern imprint is revived, although the reference material does not document a corresponding Yuletide revival.

• 1958

  The Biharis establish Kent Records

  [1]Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Bihari brothers form Kent Records and stop issuing records on the Modern imprint, changing the structure of the label family to which Yuletide belonged.

• 1945

  Modern Records is established

  [1]Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  The Bihari brothers establish Modern Records in Los Angeles, creating the parent label from which Yuletide Records later emerges.

• Yuletide Records operates as a Christmas-music imprint

  [1]Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Yuletide Records is documented as a daughter label of Modern Records specializing exclusively in Christmas music. A precise launch year is not provided.

• Modern Records ceases operations

  [1]Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org

  Modern later enters bankruptcy and ceases operations. The supplied material does not give a precise year or a separate closing date for Yuletide Records.

A specialist seasonal imprint within the Modern Records family, focused exclusively on Christmas music.

• Seasonal music

  Christmas music recordings

  Yuletide Records was designed as a specialized holiday imprint and issued Christmas music rather than the broader blues and rhythm-and-blues repertoire associated with Modern Records. The available sources do not identify individual recordings, artists, formats, catalog numbers, or release dates.

1. 1Modern Recordsen.wikipedia.org