Built in the 1890s, this building was home to a U.S. Congressmen, several businesses, CBS and Sony Music, and today Landmark Community Bank. The building is owned by music executive and philanthropist Mike Curb. Image courtesy of MHCF, 2018.
Stop 18 of 25
Landmark Community Bank, formerly CBS Songs and Sony Music
On your left there is a large gray, brick Victorian structure. This building currently serves as the Landmark Community Bank. Built in the 1890s, this building has seen it all. It was initially the home to Nashville Deputy Sheriff John C. Sawyer who lived there until 1915. In 1920, John Wesley Gaines moved into the home on 1013 16th Avenue. He lived here with his mother and brother. Notably, Gaines was a Congressman, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1897 until 1909.
In 1953, it was converted into a recording studio, which was purchased by CBS Songs in 1973. One of their most notable clients was none other than Johnny Cash, one of country music’s greatest legends. CBS songs, like many recording studios on Music Row, was bought and sold many times. In 1980, Sony purchased the property. A decade later Mike Curb bought it, and in the early 2010s, it became Landmark Community Bank.
Make your way up Sixteenth Avenue South until you reach Grand Avenue/Music Square South. Cross to the far side of Sixteenth Avenue South/ Music Square East. Your next tour stop will be at the historical marker on your right.
Tour Stops
Owen Bradley Park, Musica Statue, Buddy Killen Circle
1 Music Square East at Division Street
ASCAP and Sony Music
2 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203
Tree Publishing, Former Fire Hall No. 7
16 Music Square West, Nashville, TN
RCA Studio B
1611 Roy Acuff Place, Nashville, TN 37203
Carnival Music and Mural
24 Music Square West, Number 2, Nashville TN
RCA Studio A
30 Music Square West, Number 100, Nashville, TN 37203
Word Entertainment
25 Music Square West, Nashville, TN
Starstruck Studios
40 Music Square West, Nashville TN
iHeartMedia
55 Music Square West, Nashville, TN 37203
Quadrafonic or Quad Studios, Round Hill Music
1802 Grand Avenue, Nashville, TN 37212
Scarritt Bennett Center
1027 Eighteenth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
Ocean Way Nashville Studios
1200 Seventeenth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
Little Sisters of the Poor, now Vanderbilt University
1400 Eighteenth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
Allentown Studios, formerly Jack’s Tracks
1308 Sixteenth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
PLA Media
1303 Sixteenth Avenue South A, Nashville, TN 37212
Big Machine Records
1219 Sixteenth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
House of David
1205 Sixteenth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
Landmark Community Bank, formerly CBS Songs and Sony Music
1013 Sixteenth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37212
Belmont Church
68 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203
Curb College, Quonset Hut, and Columbia Records
34 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203
SESAC and Country Music Association (CMA)
35 Music Square East, Nashville TN
Decca Records
27 Music Square East, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
Warner Music and Warner Production
21 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203
BMI and Frances Preston
10 Music Square East Nashville, TN 37203
Spence Manor Motor Hotel and Webb Pierce Guitar Swimming Pool
11 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203