Del-Nita / Celestial

Owned by John Hicks and operated out of his house. The early records were cut at SIR but later Hicks opened Pro Sound Studio and the records after 1968 were cut there. Hicks, who is African-American, used Del-Nita for 'popular' recordings and Celestial for gospel records. Del and Nita were contractions of Hicks' childrens' names. A member of the Night People told the editor that Hicks claimed to have connections to Motown records and that he was hoping to get rock acts on his label distributed by Motown. Hicks had good taste though - the Night People and Elements 45s are two of the best garage and soul 45s from Cleveland.

The operation seems to have been dormant after 1970 but a few records were released on Del-Nita in the 1980s. The numbering system mixes the Del-Nita and Celestial titles. A lot of the numbers are missing. Considering all the time that has elapsed, it's likely that the numbers were Celestial gospel releases or not issued. All the 1960s/1970 Del-Nita and Celestial records were pressed at QCA.

(Celestial) No #John Hicks and the Athens Fire Baptized Believer Church Shechinah Glory Choir (PS)I'm Glad Glad Glad ; I Shall Over Come / I Want To Live For Thee ; I Know God Is RealJune 1966

No #

Faces In The Crowd

Clouds of Doubt / Lonely Beach (PS)

Sept. '66

1002

the Night People

We Got It / Erebian-Borealis

May '67

(Celestial) 1003

the Greater Cincinnati Choral Union

I Will Trust In The Lord ; Where Is Your Faith In God / Even Me ; My Faith Looks Up To Thee

June '67

1006

Chuck and the Tremblers

Stop Cheating Woman / Dianna

March '68

(Celestial) 1007Ohio SpiritualsHold On / When My Jesus ComesMarch '68
(Celestial) 1008Jasper MurrowPersonal Testimony / I Don't Want No TroubleOct. '68
(Celestial) 1010Rev. Robert HubbardPrasing The Lord / He's All I NeedMarch '69

1011

Gene Allison

If Ever I Need Your Love (I Need It Now) / Why Did You Have To Go

May ‘69

(Celestial) 1013Athens Fire Baptized Holiness Young People's ChoirChild Of The King / I Love The LordMay '70
(Celestial) 1016Community Voices Of FaithDown By The River Side / God Gave Me A SongMay 1970
(Celestial) 1017Pentecostal Youth Fellowship Choirt of Akron, OhioCan't Thank Him Enough / I Found JesusJune '70
(Celestial) 1018Gospel PearlsI Believe / If I Had A HammerJune '70
(Celestial) 1019Gloria MonroeA Test Of Faith / I Have Placed My Life In Your Hands (PS)Aug. '70

1020

the Elements

I'll Remember You / When I Fall In Love Again

Sept. '70

(Celestial) 1021Rev. William T. SawyerIt Took A Miracle / He Looked Beyond My FaultOct '70

1022

the Inner Circles

Mirror - Mirror / Bravura

Dec. '70

LP (Celestial) 1023Ohio District ChoirHe Will Answer Your CallJun '71
L33Raymond Rasberry SingersI'm Going To Hode You In My Bosom / The Place Where The Righteous Can Call HomeOct '75

 

Note: On the first listed record by John Hicks, etc, there is no artist listed on the record, It's a small hole 7" that plays at 33 1/3