RCA Studio A

RCA outgrew their original offices in RCA Studio B and moved into this building in 1965. They also built a bigger studio—modeled after their studios in Los Angeles, Rome and other places. Since opening, RCA Studio A has remained in continuous use, even after RCA closed its Nashville studios in 1977. It’s the hallowed tracking room where Chet Atkins recorded the country legends of RCA’s golden era, and where Dolly Parton cut the song “Jolene.”

In 2014, Studio A avoided tragedy after a developer bought this building. The plan was to tear it down for—you guessed it—condos and restaurants. The Music Row community, led in part by musician Ben Folds, rallied to the cause. This groundswell of support inspired three community leaders to step forward to save the RCA Studio A from the wrecking ball. Aubrey Preston, Chuck Eclan and Mike Curb agreed to buy this building—two hours before the final deadline. WHEW! That was a close call!

Today this building houses a number of music business offices as well as a big studio where scenes from the TV show “Nashville” were filmed.

Actually, we’ve lost a lot of historic buildings to developers. Whenever you see tall buildings in this area, you can bet that important historic music business offices or studios were once there. The offices and studios of Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton, Pete Drake, and the studios where Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr and others recorded have been lost.

Well, let’s do a little boot scootin’ down this side of the street until we get almost to the corner. Our next stop is Starstruck Entertainment, just a few yards down on your left.