RARE & AWESOME 1966 Coca-Cola industrial musical - A Step Ahead

$

125

If you've seen "Bathtubs Over Broadway" or read "Everything's Coming Up Profits," you know that private pressing "industrial musical" souvenir albums are some of the rarest and weirdest records in existence. These motivational musicals were only for dealers, salesmen, distributors and other industry insiders at sales meetings and conventions, and the souvenir vinyl records were not available to the public. And many of these shows boasted outstanding music and performances along with the bizarre corporate subject matter.

I'm the collector and historian profiled in the documentary "Bathtubs Over Broadway," and the co-author of "Everything's Coming Up Profits - The Golden Age of Industrial Musicals." I'm thinning out my stash of duplicates, and offering an assortment of records that range from the scarce, to the very rare, to the "you'll probably never encounter this again."

This one is "A Step Ahead," the 1966 Coca-Cola route salesman's convention musical, produced by the Jam Handy Organization. With fun songs by the late great Wilson Stone, deftly executed by a swaggering orchestra and a solid professional cast, this is a classic example of a full-power 60's industrial show with all the trimmings.
The show dramatizes in song the challenges facing typical Coke route salesman Henry Baxter as he deals with competition, a wife who doesn't truly understand what he's up against, and difficult customers. But thanks to Coke's fantastic support, superior products, and marketing genius, Henry's headed for glory...
My favorite track is "Understanding," set at a morning sales meeting, with an assortment of route salesmen singing their gripes and troubles, and affirming that strategy, psychology, and Coke's know-how will help them win the day. "Once you have that understanding, you will prove... that you can move... any kind of merchandise!" The orchestra really kicks ass on this one.
Also, you get "Santa" rhymed with "Fanta."

The cover, featuring numerous show photos as well as credits and cast bios, is in excellent sharp condition with only very minor wear. The disc is minty and pristine, with the remnants of a sticker or label on the side 2 label.
A key title for your growing industrial show collection or your Coke memorabilia archive.

Check out my other listings for many more killer examples of this deliciously strange and secret slice of American musical and corporate history, including other Coke records.

Buyers of multiple records get a break on shipping charges.