Music Row!

Plaque Text for Tennessee Landmark #156:

The heart of Nashville’s music business, Music Row began in 1955, when Owen Bradley opened the Quonset Hut, the first recording studio here. In 1957, Chet Atkins opened RCA’s studio at the corner of 17th and Hawkins. Other studios, publishing houses, and record labels including Columbia, Epic, Decca, Warner Bros, Capitol, and Curb followed with offices here. Street names were changed in 1975 to Music Square East and West.

More about Music Row:

Owen Bradley started playing music professionally at 15 with skills at the harmonica, steel guitar, trombone, piano, vibraphone, and organ! After leading a brand and broadcasting on the radio, he started producing for the Decca recording label in 1947 at their new Nashville office! In 1950, he produced a chart-topping hit—Red Foley’s Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy—and in 1952, he led Kitty Wells’ recording session of It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels, which was revolutionary for women in country music! He’d then go on to produce for Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Brenda Lee!

In 1955, Mr. Bradley and his brother, Harold, set up an old army surplus Quonset hut near where his statue now sits. From here, he helped build the Nashville Sound, a blend of country and pop, which puts a singer out front, backed by guitars, bass, drums, and piano! His initial success at this Quonset hut inspired other recording companies to set up shop in this area, giving this area the name Music Row and leading to Nashville’s nickname of Music City!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Volunteer with Historic Nashville, Inc!
Donate to the Metro Historical Commission Foundation!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!