The
Nashville building that houses RCA Studio A, one of the most historic,
active studios in country music history, is being sold to a development
company that specializes in residential properties. For more than 50
years, this studio has drawn hundreds of musicians through its doors,
not because of what the exterior looks like, but what the interior
sounds like. It was constructed in 1964 according to instructions from
Chet Atkins, and soon attracted everyone in the business to it’s high
quality abilities. Elvis, Dolly, the Everlys, just about anybody who
was anybody went there to record. This very historical place will now
become apartments. Wow, there goes another chunk of America’s music
history, especially relevant to country music. The music itself is so
changed today however, the recording artists probably wouldn’t even be
able to use the facility, too much electronic ‘improvement’ devices
would have to be used, but ‘apartments?’ come on, you can’t be serious.
That’s the very reason we cling so tightly to our Pioneer Music Museum
and the Old Time Music Hall of Fame. No one else is doing that, but we
keep trying even though we never have enough money to make it all work,
not even enough to fix the roof. We’ll keep trying.
Bob Everhart for Country Music News International