<P> Just after her mother 's death , Franklin began singing solos at New Bethel , debuting with the hymn , `` Jesus , Be a Fence Around Me '' . Four years later , when Franklin was 14 , her father began managing her , bringing her on the road with him during his so - called `` gospel caravan '' tours for her to perform in various churches . He helped his daughter get signed to her first recording deal with J.V.B. Records , where her first album , Songs of Faith , was issued in 1956 . Two singles were released to gospel radio stations including `` Never Grow Old '' and `` Precious Lord , Take My Hand '' . Franklin sometimes traveled with The Caravans and The Soul Stirrers during this time and developed a crush on Sam Cooke , who was then singing with the Soul Stirrers before his secular career . </P>
<P> Just after her mother 's death , Franklin began singing solos at New Bethel , debuting with the hymn , `` Jesus , Be a Fence Around Me '' . Four years later , when Franklin was 14 , her father began managing her , bringing her on the road with him during his so - called `` gospel caravan '' tours for her to perform in various churches . He helped his daughter get signed to her first recording deal with J.V.B. Records , where her first album , Songs of Faith , was issued in 1956 . Two singles were released to gospel radio stations including `` Never Grow Old '' and `` Precious Lord , Take My Hand '' . Franklin sometimes traveled with The Caravans and The Soul Stirrers during this time and developed a crush on Sam Cooke , who was then singing with the Soul Stirrers before his secular career . </P>
aretha franklin 's first record contract was with which label
aretha franklin 's first record contract was with which label
J.V.B. Records
J.V.B. Records