It just dawned on me, going though my stash of Colorado records, that I have quite a few on the private country label, Hornet. I'm sure there are folks out there who know more about this label than I, so I'll just post what I've managed to find in a peripheral search.
Feel free to add what you know in the comments section.
Of note - most of these records are produced by Ernie Hoppes.
I found a 2008 Denver Post obituary notice for Ernest L. (Pete) Hoppes:
Hoppes, Ernest L. (Pete)
83, passed away March 6, 2008. He was born January 11, 1925 to Henry and Sarah Hoppes in Williamsburg, KS, the youngest of seven children. Ernest served in the Navy in WWII, after which he was a contractor, but his passion in life was his music. He is survived by 3 sons, James Lee, Randy, and Mitchell...
Three Colorado addresses are noted on these singles:
8933 Washington Street, Denver (Thornton)
8785 Welby Road, Thornton
P.O. Box 29819, Thornton
Couldn't pinpoint a year, but I was able to date the Johnny Nace single from a 1984 Billboard mention.
Typical 1980s country here, but there are a few that stand out. I have a soft spot for this heartfelt ode to the plight of agriculture...
(Partial) Hornet Records Discography
003 That's What the Cover is For / My Baby & I - Mitchell Hoppes
004 The Colorado Waltz/Living With a Dying Love - Skip Graves
005 Henryetta, Oklahoma / City of Angels - Marvin Rainwater
006
007 Oklahoma Twister / Too Much in Love to Leave - Skip Graves
008 Let's Go Back to Bed And Talk it Over / Our Love's Going Nowhere - Skip Graves
009 Country Runs Deep (in My Blood) / Love's Memories - Johnny Nace (1984)
1010 The Colorado Waltz/Spirit of Texas - Skip Graves
1011 Ole Man Atom/Ole Man Atom - Skip Graves
1012 Miami Dreamin'/Miami Dreamin' - Skip Graves
1013 Your Hiding Place/Radio Cowgirl - Jim Stricklan
1014 The American Farmer/My Window Faces The South - Larry Good
1015
1016 Thank You Darlin'/Overnite Sensation - Ace Ball
Ace Ball story on the Pueblo City Limits blog: here.
Found a few listings for a Skip Graves, but no clue if it's the one associated with Hornet. There is a listing for a Skip Graves who released "Indian Giver (With Your Love)" / "Heartaches Knocking at My Door" - Fireside 7505 (1960). In 1966 Skip Graves' single "Credit Cards" (Stadium 4115), is mentioned in the "predicted to reach the hot country singles chart" section of Billboard.
There's also a Skip Graves, who was a disc jockey at KWOW in Pomona, CA (1969).
All one in the same? Who knows.
Jim Stricklan was KBRG radio's (Denver) Music Director in 1986.
Larry Good - no clue. His single indicates that he was managed out of Geneva, Nebraska.
003 That's What the Cover is For / My Baby & I - Mitchell Hoppes
004 The Colorado Waltz/Living With a Dying Love - Skip Graves
005 Henryetta, Oklahoma / City of Angels - Marvin Rainwater
006
007 Oklahoma Twister / Too Much in Love to Leave - Skip Graves
008 Let's Go Back to Bed And Talk it Over / Our Love's Going Nowhere - Skip Graves
009 Country Runs Deep (in My Blood) / Love's Memories - Johnny Nace (1984)
1010 The Colorado Waltz/Spirit of Texas - Skip Graves
1011 Ole Man Atom/Ole Man Atom - Skip Graves
1012 Miami Dreamin'/Miami Dreamin' - Skip Graves
1013 Your Hiding Place/Radio Cowgirl - Jim Stricklan
1014 The American Farmer/My Window Faces The South - Larry Good
1015
1016 Thank You Darlin'/Overnite Sensation - Ace Ball
Ace Ball story on the Pueblo City Limits blog: here.
Found a few listings for a Skip Graves, but no clue if it's the one associated with Hornet. There is a listing for a Skip Graves who released "Indian Giver (With Your Love)" / "Heartaches Knocking at My Door" - Fireside 7505 (1960). In 1966 Skip Graves' single "Credit Cards" (Stadium 4115), is mentioned in the "predicted to reach the hot country singles chart" section of Billboard.
There's also a Skip Graves, who was a disc jockey at KWOW in Pomona, CA (1969).
All one in the same? Who knows.
Jim Stricklan was KBRG radio's (Denver) Music Director in 1986.
Larry Good - no clue. His single indicates that he was managed out of Geneva, Nebraska.