The Continental Gems were a Houston-based group produced by James Martin of Marquee and Copa Records and Fortune Enterprises. Using the slogan, “The Big Sign of Big Scenes and Big Sounds,” Martin produced a number of Houston acts, including The Webs and The Royal Masters. Marquee Records put out singles by The Royal Spades, The Romancers, Mildred Jones and two 45s by The Classmates. The Royal Spades’ releases were “C’mon & Love Me” b/w “I’m Gonna Voodoo You” (Marquee Records 702). The Romancers’ 45 was “Take Me To Paradise” b/w “We Met At The Altar” (Marquee Records 701). Mildred Jones’s release was “Almost Like Being in Love” b/w “Business Woman” (Marquee Records 700). The Classmates’ two records were “Don’t Make Me Cry” b/w “High School” (Marquee Records 101) and “Until Then” b/w “Pretty Little Pet” (Marquee Records 102). At a time when physical distribution of records was a major goal of any small label, Martin brought his artists to Jamie Records. That association came through Huey P. Meaux, who was involved with Jamie through Cosimo Matassa, the legendary New Orleans studio owner and engineer of Cosimo Studio. Huey Meaux had put out the first Barbara Lynn releases on his own Eric label and then followed Cosimo’s advice to see if Jamie Records was interested in his new recording, done at Cosimo Studio, of “You’ll Lose a Good Thing.” The success of that record opened the door not only to Barbara Lynn’s long successful career but also to other Delta area producers and artists who now had entrée to the national distribution of Jamie/Guyden Distributing Corp. James Martin brought the Continental Gems, originally called just the Gems, to Jamie/Guyden, along with The Webs and The Royal Masters.
