Cook was the first African American radio disc jockey and television personality on the East Coast. Cook made a demo tape of Hamilton's singing and brought it to the attention of Columbia Records. Columbia was impressed enough to sign Hamilton to their rhythm and blues subsidiary, Okeh Records.
Hamilton's pioneering role as an African American in radio and television on the East Coast led to him creating a demo tape of his singing, which he then shared with Columbia Records. The company was impressed enough to offer him a contract with their R&B label, Okeh Records.