Status defunct Country of origin Canada and USA Defunct November 1991 | Genre Country Founded 1986 | |
 Parent company Apple Productions - Toronto, Ontario Founder Stan Campbell and Veronica Mataseje Location [Toronto and Nashville]] Similar 4 Star Records , 143 Records , Slash Records | ||
16th Avenue Records was originally an independent record label specializing in country music. The first 16th Avenue label was founded in Toronto in May 1981 by Apple Productions Corporation principals, Stan Campbell and Veronica Mataseje. In May 1984, 16th Avenue Records was relocated to Nashville, Tennessee.
In 1986, representatives of Opryland Music Group compelled Veronica Mataseje to cease and desist in using the 16th Avenue name. Mataseje capitulated to the Opryland company's heavy-handed demand. The 16th Avenue name then became the property of Opryland Music group.
Jerry Bradley, who was then the head of Opryland Music Group and vice president of Opryland USA, as well as the former head of RCA Records' Nashville division. The label's first signee was Charley Pride, whose 1987 single "Have I Got Some Blues for You" was the label's first release.
Other artists who recorded for 16th Avenue included Vicki Bird, Canyon, Lane Caudell, John Conlee, Neal McCoy, Robin & Cruiser, John Wesley Ryles, and Randy VanWarmer. The label closed in November 1990.