Ric Records

[1] Although most of Ric's releases did not rise above regional hits, the label was active during the golden era of New Orleans R&B and was an incubator for many artists who are now recognized as definers of the style.After his first taste of the music industry at A-1 Distributors,[2] Joe Ruffino set out on his own with the Ric and Ron imprints, headquartered at 630 Baronne Street in New Orleans.

[3] Artists on the label included Eddie Bo, Johnny Adams,[4] Lenny Capello, Al Johnson, Tommy Ridgley and Joe Jones.

Jones provided Ric with its only sizeable hit, "You Talk Too Much", which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the fall of 1960.

After being discovered in a local club by Tommy Ridgley, Irma Thomas recorded her first single "(You Can Have My Husband but) Don't Mess with My Man" for Ron within a week.

[1] Ruffino's brother in law Joe Assunt, owner of the One Stop Records store procured the Ric and Ron tapes and reissued various popular titles for the next decade, adding a couple of Johnny Adams 45s to the label listings.