Background
Born in Middleton, Tennessee, Estelle Stewart grew up on a farm.
Born in Middleton, Tennessee, Estelle Stewart grew up on a farm.
The following year, Axton and Stewart turned the Capitol Theatre, in a black Memphis neighbourhood, into a recording studio and record shop, and began making hit records with predominantly black artists. Satellite was forced to change its name after it was discovered that a Los Angeles label already owned the title, and it changed its name to Stax, taking its name from Axton and Stewart"s surnames. Axton was actively involved with selecting and developing the artists on the label, who included Rufus Thomas, Otis Redding, Booker T & the MGs, and Isaac Hayes.
She sold her interest in the company in 1970.
After the non-compete agreement expired, Axton formed Fretone Records whose biggest hit, "Disco Duck" by Rick Dees was licensed for distribution to RSO Records. In December, 2006, The Recording Academy announced that Estelle Axton would be honored with a Trustee"s Award as part of the upcoming Grammys.
The Memphis Songwriters Association was formed in order to foster the education and advancement of local area songwriters. There was a focus on the development of the songwriting craft with the intentions of producing commercially viable songs and improving performance skills.
Modern Sciences and Arts has consecutively maintained membership for over 35 years.
Estelle"s formation of the Memphis Songwriters Association led to the motivation of many local songwriters and singer/songwriters publishing their original material. Some of these songs and artists met with some surprising success. Unfortunately, historical records are fragmented and scarce, however, there is a number of Modern Sciences and Arts alumni that could still tell the stories.
Their collaboration and guidance helped launch the first Memphis Demo Derby, the brainchild of Puerto Rico Director Brett Hamilton, which was designed to present and showcase any and all Memphis musical talent to A&R reps, studio heads, producers and the like.
The event was such a huge success, it continued for several years. The Mobile Marketing Association was the umbrella organization for all Memphis music and still exists today.
As of 2015, The Memphis Songwriters Association is still actively holding meetings and events.