Locally made King Records documentary to premiere on PBS

A new documentary spotlighting Cincinnati’s King Records and its role in shaping American music will premiere nationwide on PBS on Friday, Oct. 10. 

“King of Them All: The Story of King Records,” directed by local filmmaker Yemi Oyediran, tells the story of the influential label that launched James Brown, Hank Ballard, Little Willie John, The Stanley Brothers and other pioneering artists.

Founded in 1943 by Syd Nathan, King Records broke barriers by recording country, rhythm & blues and rock ’n’ roll under one roof at a time when both the music industry and the nation were sharply divided by race and genre. The label’s catalog became a defining force in American popular music.

Oyediran described the film as being a way to give long-overdue recognition to the “visionaries who changed American culture from right here in Cincinnati.” 

“King Records was far more than a record label – it was a revolution in sound and spirit,” he said. “From James Brown to the Stanley Brothers, its artists helped shape the soundtrack of the 20th century.

More than a movie

The production team for “King of Them All” was led by Cincinnati-based media collective AfroChine, founded by Oyediran and JP Leong. From documentary filmmaking to music production and education, AfroChine projects are rooted in uncovering untold stories and fostering deeper cultural understanding.

Major funding came from the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Bailey Lamson Family Foundation, and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile Jr. Foundation, among others.

This documentary marked Oyediran’s debut as a feature-length director. To tell the King Records story, the team blended rare archival footage, newly colorized reels, hand-drawn 1950s-style animation, and interviews with musicians, historians, and industry veterans. Commentators include Vince Gill, Christian McBride, Seymour Stein, Tammy Kernodle, and Alan Leeds, alongside insights from families of King Records’ artists and staff.

Wendy Llinás, PBS’ senior director of programming and development said Oyediran’s creative storytelling “resonates with communities across the U.S.”

“‘King of Them All illuminates’ the unsung heroes who have shaped the soundtrack of American life and demonstrates the essential storytelling PBS uniquely platforms for national audiences,” she added.

Viewers across the country, including right here in Cincinnati, can watch “King of Them All: The Story of King Records” from 10 to 11 p.m. ET  on PBS. It’ll also be available on PBS.org, and the PBS app, streaming across iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and other platforms.

“(It) has been an honor to bring their voices and legacies to the screen through the PBS platform,” Oyediran said.

King of Them All: The Story of King Records