Pro wrestling legend Jimmy Hart recently opened up about a surprise archival music discovery, reflecting on his storied career across Memphis wrestling, the 1980s World Wrestling Federation, and World Championship Wrestling. Speaking on a recent episode of the Wrestling Epicenter program hosted by James Walsh, Hart discussed the upcoming release of a lost-tapes album from his 1960s rock band, The Gentry’s, alongside his thoughts on industry figures deserving of higher accolades.
Known across generations as the “Mouth of the South,” Hart spent decades shouting into a megaphone while managing top-tier talent, most notably Hulk Hogan. Yet long before he donned colorful suits at ringside, Hart stood at the front of a chart-topping rock group. In 1965, The Gentry’s famously toppled the Beatles on the Billobard Charts with their hit single “Keep on Dancing,” earning them a coveted appearance on American Bandstand with Dick Clark.
According to Hart, the upcoming Sun Records release titled It’s Been So Long features twelve tracks, including eight or nine previously unreleased recordings discovered entirely by accident. “A couple of months ago, we were down in Memphis looking for some Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis tapes and all of a sudden we came across a big box of Gentry’s songs that have never been released before,” Hart told the Wrestling Epicenter.
Rediscovering Sun Records Vaults After 56 Years
The new compilation marks a major milestone for the musician-turned-manager, noting that his last official record with Sun Records debuted 56 years ago. Produced historically under the guidance of Sun Records founder Sam Phillips—who famously shaped the early careers of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash—and later Knox Phillips, the band enjoyed a vibrant run touring alongside major acts like the Beach Boys, Chicago, and the Dave Clark Five before Hart transitioned fully into professional wrestling.
The upcoming album release, scheduled for September 4, bridges two distinct eras of Hart’s professional life. While modern fans recognize him for orchestrating iconic entrance themes in the WWF and WCW or managing icons through golden eras of sports entertainment, the newly unearthed recordings showcase the mellower, melodic 1960s rock style that originally launched him into national prominence.
Advocating for Industry Legends in the Hall of Fame
Beyond his music retrospectives, Hart used the interview platform to advocate for broader recognition within professional wrestling. He voiced strong support for the eventual WWE Hall of Fame inductions of legendary manager Jim Cornette and renowned composer Jim Johnston, arguing that both figures shaped the auditory and psychological landscape of the sport.
Johnston created dozens of unmistakable entrance themes that defined generations of superstars, while Cornette remains one of wrestling’s most polarizing and historically fluent managers and promoters. Hart emphasized that their enduring contributions to the business warrant permanent enshrinement.
Fans looking to secure physical copies of It’s Been So Long on CD or vinyl can find pre-order information directly through the Sun Records official store, ahead of the album’s official launch next month.
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