The Jar-Val label from Macon, Georgia was owned by Hamp Swain. Besides being a label owner Swain was radio DJ and musician.
Little Richard made his debut as singer in Swain's band "The Hamptones". Hamp was the first radio dj to play on air James Brown's "Please, please, please". And it was at one of Swain's "Teenage parties" that Phil  Walden heard Otis Redding perform for the first time.
More than enough reasons to start a campaign getting Hamp Swain inducted in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
But what about Rev. E.J Smith and "Lord I've tried"?
I do know absolutely nothing about Reverend Smith, only that "Lord I've tried" is a is a solid deep gospel soul ballad.