Nashville's Historic RCA Studio B

Yours truly in front of Studio B in Nashville

While in Nashville recently I had the opportunity to visit the historic RCA Studio 'B' on Music Row. I had passed Studio B countless times as a student at Belmont but, 40 years ago my interests were predominantly in classical music and never really gave the place much thought.

After teaching years of history of rock classes I felt the time had come to actually do a little research on the place and to actually visit the place. My brother in law (who used to be in the recording industry) exercised a couple of his connections and we had access to parts of the studio off-limits to the generic tour!


History
Guitarist/producer Chet Atkins and RCA A&R man Steve Sholes campaigned RCA Victor to construct a studio in Nashville in 1957. Like Decca Records RCA viewed country music as a viable market for the major labels and had this studio built at the end of Nashville's famed "Music Row" area. Atkins reported drew up the plans on a napkin.


 RCA producer/guitarist Chet Atkins with RCA engineer Bill Porter
Below is a rare 1954 video of Atkins and his patented finger-style country guitar

 Elvis

Aside of a "who's who" of top-drawer country acts that passed through this studio a few important names in early rock and roll/rockabilly recorded there as well! Elvis Presley on his first leave from the Army in June of 1958 recorded the following numbers in Studio B.

I Need Your Love Tonight Big Hunk O' Love Ain't That Loving You, Baby
Fool Such As I I Got Stung

He went on the record there several times until 1971 including his best seller gospel album 'How Great Thou Art'.
 
 A chart of hits by Elvis Presley on display in Studio B



The original "lead sheet" for Elvis' "multi-platinum 1960 hit 'Are You Lonesome Tonight"



Rockabilly duo The Everly Brothers recorded on of their all time big hits "All I Have to Do is Dream" at Studio in April of 1958.



Studio B as it Looks in 2012


An Original RCA microphone from the early days of the studio

Although most of the equipment is period late 1950's/early 60's Studio B uses a more modern mixing board. There are artists who still record in this studio!

The main studio (with obligatory tourists). The control room is through the windows in the rear. The floor is original but, the acoustic tiles are on top of the original walls (which were covered with carpet!)

The studio tour guide discusses the piano which Elvis had played as well as Floyd Crammer's 1960 classic ' Last Date' (click on the link below to hear)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvfG9uFswis&feature=related


Below is a short video of the main control room and studio at Studio B









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