The Scene Nashville: RCA Studio A

In this episode of The Scene, Gibson TV host Mark Agnesi heads to Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee, to visit RCA Studio A, a studio founded by country music icon Chet Atkins and a hallowed destination on the National Register of Historic Places.

Founded in 1964 by Chet Atkins, RCA Studio A has played a huge part in the evolution and popularity of the Nashville sound and the entire country music genre. Join Mark as he chats with GRAMMY Award-winning producer Dave Cobb about the studio’s design, layout, and connection to so many great artists. As Dave tells it, the studio was conceived as a more communal recording space where players and musicians can occupy the same room and play face to face, lending a more relaxed and rehearsal-like vibe to sessions. Well, that, and the nicely appointed and fully stocked bar doesn’t hurt either. So much music history has taken place in Studio A that it’s not hard to imagine putting your ear to the walls and hearing the distant echoes of sessions past by the likes of Elvis, The Beach Boys, or Dolly Parton. And today, the tradition continues as artists continue to flock here to tap into the mojo of Studio A.

Of course, no visit to a recording studio by Mark Agnesi would be complete without a discussion about guitars, and Dave is more than happy to oblige as he shows off some of his personal faves like his beloved ES-330s and SGs.

The Scene is a Gibson TV Original Series hosted by Mark Agnesi, who traverses the country to discover and recognize the music landmarks that help shape the music scenes of cities across America.

#Gibson #nashvilletn #RCAStudioA

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[RobertVincentMusic]

I lived in Nashville for about ten years.. and took a tour of that studio. I highly recommend it.. our tour guide was very knowledgeable. You can feel, hear and see the history in that place. It's worth it.

[robertcobb]

I grew up on Music City row - 1516 Villa place - We would check out the recording artist in the neighborhood late at night and early morning riding around in their fancy cars. I remember Bobby Goldsboro and a few other country artist . There were publishing houses and recording studios all over this Edgehill district of Nashville and most people had no clue what was going on. Night Time is the Right time!!!! Cobb

[LeeOwen]

I worked in the RCA building in the 90's. Great to see this video.

[jimwoodard]

Loved that record collection. Brought a tear to my eye seeing all of those old records dad would play and help me appreciate.

[turretstudios]

This new series is awesome. That studio is just gorgeous

[timothycormier]

Very cool!! Thanks mark! Thank you Gibson!!

[philcory]

Wow! What a legendary list of Artists and an Awesome Space! It must be an overwhelming experience to record there. 😎

[Barryer]

Chet—he is missed. I love those Chet & Jerry recordings (recorded there I beleive)

[shawnreese]

Awesome! I really loved the coverage of the space and console. Seeing the amps and axes also!

[chrisdunnettmusic]

Thanks for doing this! Mark, I met you a couple of months ago at the Gibson Garage here when you invited us folks from Sam Ash (where I teach Guitar) over. This was really cool as oddly I have not been in Studio A, only Studio B. I do recall well when the developers were trying to knock it down, as they have half of Music Row already, and SO glad Ben Folds and Sharon stepped in to save it. Thanks again for doing this video.

[malcolmadams]

Well it’s on my list of neat recording spaces for large jam style recording. Cheers from Utah.

[rdmkeytohwy]

Fantastic interview. This RCA Studios A and B are both iconic and Dave Cobb is certainly on a roll with the artists and albums he is producing. And he is letting bands play in the same room and make a unique sound. Not to the detriment of the quality of the tracks but making them better. I would love to spend a day with the guy and just hang, pick his brain, and watch him work. Such a good series and this might be the best one yet. Way to go Mark and crew…..keep them comin’!

[MikeJohnsonsTube]

I used to drive past RCA throughout my life, until moving to California after my retirement from MTSU over 10 years ago! Such a rich history filled with with historical stories! I actually spent time in all the studios on music row! Thankful I discovered my love for music, especially the guitar in the 70's in The Music City ♥️ #MikeJohnsonJazz #Gibson

[NoUseForAName]

Such a great video!! I love this series that Gibson and Mark is doing. I'd also really like to have one of those Gibson T-shirts but for $70 😳😳😳 I like the entire Gibson Aviator Nation collection but it's just to expensive..

[blackiewheeler]

This is the real deal and cornerstone of Nashville. Old Chet knew what he was doing when he started this and the amount of talent that has flowed through here is mind boggling. Great video !

[ardiris]

"I am not a historian of the Nashville sound, " with an Orange halfstack sitting in the background.
I like that.

Thanks for asking about the financial status, Mark. That was one of the first questions that popped into my head when the video started.

This series just keeps getting better.

(:

[sesa]

Love this. Focus on more country stuff while/since you’re in Nashville and I{ll tune in. A little Dai ice though: Part of what we loved about you (Mark) on guitar of the day was the emotional/human aspect. When you played “Halo” instrumental fir Jen, it felt like love, and made (some of) us well up. When you shouted out birthdays to folks who were having hard times or good times or neither, it was nice. And of course when Tom died, everyone cried. I think your humanity needs to shine through on this channel too. You were so great as the reluctant feeler who felt nonetheless. Peace.

[graemero]

Cheers Mark & Gibson. top notch viewing

[stevehughes]

So good to see this and hear how the studio was saved from demolition. One day hopefully in the near future I'll travel to Nashville and visit all the great places and the CS if that should ever open up for tours. Thanks Mark and Gibson, great stuff.

[SuperKintyre]

I would love to see Studio B mainly because I worked with Roy Orbison & became really good friends with him during our shows together-to see where all those great recording artist did their magic would mean so much to me-as a kid growing up, I had all of their 45’s then the rest was history for me, I became a mad rock n roll singer/ guitar player.