[2][3] Originally based in Nashville, and functioning as an independent label throughout its history, it has had several distributors.

The relationship between Acuff-Rose/Hickory and MCA turned sour shortly afterwards, so the Hickory label was discontinued, and its catalog was pulled when the distribution deal expired later in 1979.

[5] The Hickory catalog is owned by Sony Music Publishing, which owns the Acuff-Rose catalogue, and the Hickory label was revived in 2007 with an album by Elliott Yamin.

[7][8] Although Hickory began as a country music label, it signed some rock groups, such as Neal Ford and the Fanatics, The Sparkles (from Texas), and The Newbeats, as well as distributing a few UK Pye Records artists such as Donovan.

Among the hits that Hickory had on the pop charts were those by Sue Thompson, Kris Jensen, Donovan, and The Newbeats.