Besides being one of the three pioneering African-American men of early pro football, the multi-talented J. Mayo Williams managed to have a long career of 35 years in the record business beginning in the late ’20s. He is best known for his production work for the Paramount, Brunswick, Vocalion and Decca labels. He produced and recorded many top Blues artists, including Blind Boy Fuller, Louis Jordan, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Ma Rainey, Tampa Red and Muddy Waters, among others, playing a large hand in bringing Blues music to the world. He was owner and President of both Harlem Records out of New York and Ebony Records in Chicago.

— (Blues Foundation press release, 2004.)