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| Nashville's RCA studios taken in 1965 -- Michael Ochs Archives |
Grand Victor Sound Nashville is home to one of the largest and most historic recording spaces in Nashville. The studio, built at the request of Chet Atkins and Harold Bradley, first opened its doors in 1965 and was known as RCA Victor Nashville Sound Studios, part of the RCA record label's Nashville division.
The list of clients that recorded here are like a 'who's who' of popular talent:The Monkees, Joe Cocker, Leon Russell, Waylon Jennings, Dolly Parton, Tony Bennett, George Strait, The Beach Boys, Amanda Palmer, William Shatner, George Jones, Brian Setzer, Hunter Hayes, Kacey Musgraves, Jewel and Willie Nelson are just a few of many artist to record here!
In 2014 a Tennessee condominium developer had planned on demolishing the building housing Studio A. With only an hour before the building was set to be demolished Curb Records founder Mike Curbteamed up with Tennessee philanthropists Chuck Elcan and Aubrey Preston to buy the studio( Rolling Stone article on Studio A) Today this studio continues the tradition of recording. It is the only extant RCA-built studio left!
Below are photos I made of Studio A
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| Studio A on Music Row as appears in November 2015. Adjacent to Studio A is the new RFD-TV studios. |
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| RCA mascot 'Nipper' stands watch over the rear entrance to the studio! |
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| Still a working studio today this large studio area is loaded with anything a musician might need for production! |
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| Although Studio A is in private hands the RCA banner hangs proudly over the studio area. |
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| What a trip to sit at the large analog mixing board where Nashville legend Chet Atkins may have once worked! |
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| A close look at the board for Studio A |
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| As an 'homage' to RCA president and recording star Chet Atkins a stripe of white tape mounted to the top of the console reads "W.W.C.D" ( What would Chet do...) |
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| This old vacuum tube technology board is a genuine "museum piece"! |
