The label was started by a young songwriter named Berry Gordy, who used the $1,000 composer royalties he earned from writing Jackie Wilson's 'Reet Petite'. Gordy wanted to call his label 'Tammy' after the character in the Debbie Reynolds movie, but the name was taken, so he changed it to Tamla instead. the 'Motown' is short for 'Motor Town' the nickname for Detroit, Gordy's home city.