RCA Studio A

In 1964, RCA was experiencing such great success with its Nashville operations that Chet Atkins convinced RCA’s corporate heads to add a larger recording studio. Atkins partnered with Owen and Harold Bradley to construct a three-story studio and office complex next door. They leased the studio and first floor offices to RCA. The new studio was named Studio A, while the older studio, still in great demand, was called Studio B.

RCA Studio A is one of the last active recording studios designed by the legendary sound engineer and architect John Volkmann. RCA built nearly identical studios in Rome, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, and Montreal. Studio A in Nashville is the last one in operation.

Since opening in 1965, RCA Studio A has remained in continuous use, even after RCA closed its Nashville studios in 1977. First renamed as Music City Music Hall, under new ownership it became Javelina Studio and later still Grand Victor Sound. Under these various studio names, it has hosted sessions for hundreds of recording artists, including Loretta Lynn, B.B. King, Shania Twain, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Tony Bennett, Keith Urban, Ben Folds, and many more. 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.”

Despite the historic and cultural significance of RCA Studio A, Music Row nearly lost this treasure in 2014 after a developer bought the property and planned to tear it down in order to build condominiums. Musician and producer Ben Folds, who had leased the studio for over a decade, spearheaded the effort to save the building. Folds was aided by philanthropists Mike Curb, Chuck Elcan, and Aubrey Preston who stepped up to help purchase and save this titanic landmark of American music. Their efforts paid off—Studio A was saved from the wrecking ball and, in 2015, was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2016, after fourteen years of recording and producing music in RCA Studio A, Ben Folds passed the baton to record producer Dave Cobb. Cobb has produced numerous award-winning albums here since taking over, including projects for Chris Stapleton, Brandi Carlisle, Jason Isbell, and John Prine.

Aubrey Preston summed it up best, “I have not yet seen anything where you have a site and a building that has such a powerful past, present and future.” 

Your next stop is across the street from RCA Studio A. Turn around to see Word Entertainment and listen to its history as part of the Christian music industry.