About Us : Select-O-Hits, Inc.

Independent Music Distribution Since 1960

Bridging tradition and innovation to empower artists worldwide.

A Brief History of Select-O-Hits

Select-O-Hits was founded in 1960 by Tom Phillips and his brother Sam C. Phillips – the legendary founder of Sun Records – and has been a cornerstone of independent music distribution for over six decades.

Tom began his career in music as Jerry Lewis’s road manager. He had invested all of his savings in a 1958 European tour when news of Lewis’s marriage to his 13-year-old cousin hit the front pages. Lewis’s career came to a sudden, although temporary, halt. The tour was cancelled, and Tom was broke. Sam helped him by giving him a job in the Sun Records warehouse and allowing Tom to live with him while his family stayed behind in Mobile, Alabama. By 1960, Tom saved enough money to move his family to Memphis.

Not satisfied with merely running the Sun warehouse, Tom, with the help of his wife Lucille, opened a small record store and one-stop named Select-O-Hits that provided small, predominantly black-owned record stores with everything from phonographic needles to display racks. In the mid-1970s, Select-O-Hits began to concentrate more on distributing and less on retail and one-stops as the business evolved.

1979 brought the beginning of another role for the family to play in music history when the company distributed the seminal “Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugar Hill Gang and Sugar Hill Records. As this new genre of music began to develop into the leading genre it is today, Select-O-Hits remained a driving force in its development with the discovery and breaking of artists such as 80s pioneers N.W.A. and Eazy E, 90s trend setters Three Six Mafia and distribution of the groundbreaking Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent in the early 2000s.

The tradition of excellence continued through partnerships with Malaco Records and collaborations with legendary artists including Bebe & Cece Winans, Colt Ford, Jimmy Buffett, Edgar Winter, The Bellamy Brothers, Foghat and Zac Brown Band.

In June 2023, Select‑O‑Hits was honored with a Brass Note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame, cementing its place in Memphis music history.

Who We Are Today

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Select‑O‑Hits is one of the largest independent record distributors in the United States. We proudly serve over 300 independent vendors, ensuring their music reaches both traditional brick‑and‑mortar retailers and modern digital service providers — all while maintaining the personal touch that has defined us since 1960.

What We Do

Worldwide Distribution — physical and digital channels for maximum reach
Vinyl & CD Manufacturing — high‑quality production for collectors and fans
Merchandise Printing, Storage & Fulfillment — streamlined solutions for brand growth
3PL Provider for E‑Commerce & Wholesale — warehousing, picking, packing, and shipping
Rehearsal, Recording & Mixing Spaces — creative environments for artists to thrive

Our Legacy

Select‑O‑Hits continues to marry old‑school record business values with modern technology, creating avenues for artists to succeed independently. With a history rooted in resilience, innovation, and community, we remain dedicated to shaping the future of music distribution while honoring the traditions that built us.

Select‑O‑Hits, Inc.

1981 Fletcher Creek Drive, Memphis, TN 38133
Phone: 901.388.1190
Email: info@selectohits.com

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