Decca Records

Music icon Brenda Lee, said of Owen Bradley and Decca Records, “There was lots of camaraderie, lots of passion and love for the business. It was a time when artists were friends with each other. . . [Owen] was different in that he actually cared about his artists.” Decca Records maintains a rich history and remains one of the most influential labels in country music. 

Originally a British label established in 1929, Decca Records launched an American division in 1934, with Jack Kapp as its leader. He placed his brother Dave Kapp in charge of hillbilly music recording. At first, Decca used its own recording studios in New York and Chicago. In 1942, Decca released one of the most popular records of all time: Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas.” In 1945, as World War II ended, the hillbilly division was renamed country & western, and Paul Cohen became the head. Early artists included Jimmie Davis, Red Foley, Ernest Tubb, and the Carter Family. In 1947, Cohen first recorded a session for Ernest Tubb and Red Foley in Nashville at Castle Recording Laboratories—a studio located in the Tulane Hotel. Owen Bradley credited Tubb’s decision to record here as a key factor in Nashville becoming “Music City.” The Texan could have recorded anywhere, but according to Bradley, he decided to record in Nashville, where he was a member of the Grand Ole Opry cast.

Paul Cohen hired Owen Bradley to set up recording sessions in Nashville, book the studio, and hire musicians. When the possibility of moving operations to Dallas, Texas came up, Bradley told Cohen that if he guaranteed one hundred sessions a year for Decca, Bradley would build a top recording studio. Cohen agreed, and the Bradley Film and Recording Studios received the majority of Decca’s country music business. 

Cohen left Decca in 1958, and his job was filled by Owen Bradley, who headed the Nashville division of Decca from 1958 until 1974. It was under Bradley's leadership that Decca built this Nashville division headquarters and emerged as the leading country music label, albeit with a new "Nashville Sound." Owen Bradley was the record producer for Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee, Conway Twitty, Webb Pierce, Loretta Lynn, Bill Monroe, and Kitty Wells.

This two-story building, completed in 1963, is an example of Mid-Century Modern style architecture with glass and metal facades, cantilevered metal staircases, and marble veneers on the interior. In June 1962, the talent agency, Music Corporation of America (MCA), purchased the majority of stock in Decca Records. Today, MCA's Nashville division operates as part of the Universal Music Group. Universal Music moved to downtown Nashville in 2008—where it houses several labels: Mercury, Decca, Capitol Records, EMI, and MCA. The original Decca building on Music Row is currently leased as office space. 

Continue walking north on Music Square East. Pass Roy Acuff Place on your left. Warner Music will be on your right.