An ultra rare music publishing contract for Otis Redding’s classic soul ballad “Something Is Worrying Me”, from his 1963 debut album Pain in My Heart (also the B-Side to his single of the same name.)

With this contract Redding sells the publishing rights to the song to East Publications, Inc. (one of Stax’s publishing companies.) Redding agrees to be paid 5 cents per copy sold (the standard rate at the time) and 50% of revenue for sheet music, licenses and performance income. Dated April 29, 1963, it is signed in blue ink by Otis Redding (he first signed with a black pen that skipped, so traced over his own signature with a blue pen.)

The contract is signed on behalf of East Publications by Jim Stewart, the legendary founder of Stax Records (Stewart at the time he founded Stax was a bank teller; his sister and future partner, Estelle Axton mortgaged her house to buy Stax a tape recorder.) Authentic Otis Redding autograps are rare indeed; this original contract, signed by Redding (who died in 1967) and Stewart, for a track on his first album, is a truly museum quality collectible. As with everything we offer, this comes with our written lifetime guarantee of authenticity.  8 1/2” x 14”.