Nashville - "Music City"

The Hall of Fame is locted on the edge of a two street mile long block known as music row. This is where the record companies, publishing agents, management companies and promoters are located.

At the heart of Music Row is the legendary "RCA Studio B" built by the New York based company in 1957. The story goes that when RCA signed Elvis Presley in 1957 for the sum of $36,000, (from the independent "Sun Records"), Elvis made it known that he was not keen on travelling to New York to make his recordings. RCA already had its eye on Nashville for artists such as Johnny Cash, Chet Atkins , and ???? were based in the city and so Studio B was built for the princely sum of $37,000. The studio is known as the birthplace of 1000 hits, as during its operational years out of 47,000 recording sesssions over 1000 hit singles were recorded within its walls. The studio also pioneered new methods of writing musical scores, which culminated in "Are you Lonesome Tonight" one of Elvis's most memorable songs being recorded in one single take. It ceased to be an active studio in the late 70's and spent some time abandoned and derelict, however it has now been lovingly restored and is once again a fully functional recording studio, yours for $75 per hour or $3500 weekly. Most of the reording nowadays takes place overnights, as during the day guided tours are offered to members of the public.

Another legendary building associated with country music is the Ryman Auditorium, known to many as the home of the "Grand Ole' Oprey" Fondly referred to as the mother church of country music, the Ryman was built as a place of worship at the turn of the century, but in 1943, Radio station WSM started to use the building to broadcast its weekly "Grand Ole Oprey" live music show. Although starting out as the "WSM Barn Dance" in 1925, it was christened with its title by a humoured radio announcer as it followed a programme of the "Grand Opera". Over the years many famous names have trod the boards of the stage, behind the famous microphone.

And talking of WSM radio - the station is synonomous with the growth of country music accross the USA and is celebrated with its own exhibits in the Hall of Fame museum. The station took to the air in 1925 covering just the Nashville area, in 1927, with a 5000 watt boost to its signal covered much of the south eartern US, and in 1932 the installation of a 50,000 watt trasnmitter, gave the station a 1000 mile reach accross much of the USA.

WSM's unique 878 foot tower was built in 1932 and is still in use today. It's contribution to the history of country music is commemorated by a plaque outside the tower compound.

A trip to Nashville wouldn't be complete without a guided bus tour of the houses of the stars. Although many treasure their privacy and live in fairly secure homes, others live a more down to earth lifestyle and often come out to meet their fans and admirers. Check out homes from Faith Hill/Tim McGraw, Alan Jacksons ranch, Trish Yearwood's high school and Vince Gill's residence adjacent to an exclusive golf course.

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