Historic RCA Studio B Celebrates 60th Anniversary with Special Programming and Surprise Performances This Fall

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Historic RCA Studio B, once the recording home of country and pop music favorites like Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Charley Pride, celebrates its 60th anniversary Aug. 17-Oct. 29 with surprise performances during random public tours and after-hours programming.

After-hours programming includes two panel discussions. “The King at B: Top Musicians Remember Elvis” is set for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31. Musicians David Briggs, James Burton, Charlie McCoy and Norbert Putnam talk about their extensive work with Presley at the historic studio.

“Hit-Makers Reflect on Historic RCA Studio B” takes place 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21. Bobby Bare, Dave Cobb, Lloyd Green and Connie Smith share their perspectives on working at the Home of 1,000 Hits. A studio tour is offered 30 minutes before each program. Tickets for both programs are on sale now and can be purchased here for $25. Full program details are included below. 

Surprise performances occur during random public tours of the studio between Aug. 17 and Oct. 29. Among the guest performers are contemporary artists who have been influenced by Studio B recording legends.

Few studios can claim the number of hit records that have come from this legendary studio, located in Nashville’s famous Music Row area. Historic RCA Studio B played a major role in establishing Nashville's identity as a recording center. Dozens of country and pop stars made recordings in the studio, primarily from 1957 to 1977, when it was operated by RCA Records. Hit-makers in Studio B have included Eddy Arnold, Bobby Bare, Floyd Cramer, the Everly Brothers, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison and Jim Reeves, among others. For many years, Country Music Hall of Fame member Chet Atkins managed RCA’s Nashville operation and produced hits in Studio B.

The studio closed its doors on August 17, 1977, coincidentally, the day after its most famous client, Elvis Presley, passed away. Today, Studio B is operated by the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum as a cultural attraction for visitors and a classroom for Nashville middle and high school students. 

Special Program Details:

Historic RCA Studio B is located at 1611 Roy Acuff Place. Tickets for each program are $25 and are on sale now.

Panel Discussion: The King at B: Top Musicians Remember Elvis

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 31

Elvis Presley recorded more than two hundred songs at Historic RCA Studio B, including “Stuck on You,” “Little Sister,” “Good Luck Charm,” “Guitar Man,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” and many of his gospel classics. Coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Studio B’s opening and the 40th anniversary of Presley’s death, four renowned musicians will talk about their extensive work with Presley at the historic Music Row studio. David Briggs began playing piano and organ on R&B and pop hits in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, in his teens. He moved to Nashville in 1964, and two years later accompanied Presley on “Love Letters” in Studio B, beginning an association that continued until the singer’s death in 1977. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member James Burton helped popularize the Telecaster electric guitar sound in the 1950s and ’60s before joining Presley’s band in 1969. He led Presley’s TCB Band for eight years, and his guitar solos were a hallmark of Presley’s shows. Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy played guitar, harmonica, bass, trumpet, and organ on several Presley sessions in Nashville and Hollywood between 1965 and 1971. Like Briggs, bassist Norbert Putnam played on early R&B hits in Muscle Shoals before moving to Nashville in the mid-1960s. He met Presley at Studio B in 1970 and went on to record over 100 songs with the King. A brief tour of the studio will be offered at 7 p.m.

Panel Discussion: Hit-Makers Reflect on Historic RCA Studio B

7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21

Music makers will share their perspectives on working in the Home of 1,000 Hits. Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare's history at Studio B includes recording major hits "Detroit City" and "500 Miles Away from Home," and the classic album Bobby Bare Sings Lullabys, Legends and Lies. Producer Dave Cobb works with Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Lori McKenna, and many others, and is producer-in-residence at neighboring Grand Victor Sound, the studio originally known as RCA Studio A. Lloyd Green is among Nashville's most consequential session musicians, and Studio B was among the places he forged his reputation as a maestro of the steel guitar. Country Music Hall of Fame member Connie Smith's storied career began at Studio B in July 1964 with the recording of "Once a Day," which became country's first chart-topping debut single from a female artist. A brief tour of the studio will be offered at 7 p.m.

For more information about Historic RCA Studio B, visit www.studiob.org. 

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