Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Store

Few rooms in the music world have seen as much history as RCA’s Studio B in Nashville.  Steve Sholes, RCA’s head of country recording since the late 1940s, had signed Elvis Presley to the label in November 1955.  Elvis’ success helped Sholes and guitarist-producer Chet Atkins to convince their bosses that RCA needed its own studio in Nashville.

Studio B opened in November 1957.  Soon thereafter, Sholes and Atkins, along with Owen Bradley and a few other Nashville producers, responded to the rock & roll insurgence by beginning to make records in a smoother, more pop-influenced style, often employing string and horn sections and background singers – not to mention an A-list of core musicians.  This so-called Nashville Sound resulted in many crossover hits and helped establish Nashville as one of the nation’s premier recording cities.

This CD offers a tiny, choice sampling of the thousands of songs recorded at Studio B from 1957 to 1977.  Included are classics by Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, Jim Reeves, Porter Wagoner, Connie Smith, Don Gibson, Waylon Jennings, Elvis, and more.  Save yourself the trouble of coming back later for Volume 2 and order it now.  You’ll want them both.

By the way, the studio is still there today, operated by the Museum.  If you’re visiting Nashville, the tour should be near the top of your to-do list.*

* More info on Studio B tours is available from the homepage of this web site.