Nashville, RCA Studio B

Visiting a (historical) recording studio is probably only an exciting affair for some musicians or those interested in learning about the history of music recordings or who want to do so. But, I have to give it to the Americans, they are just good at marketing certain things. The visit starts at the Country Music Hall of Fame and I am greeted by name (because I bought the ticket online beforehand). Our guide lets us board a small bus specially provided for these trips. In the air-conditioned bus she tells us something about the history of the recording studio. Since I have a whole book just about this studio, I'll limit myself to the essentials here.

The recording studio was built at the end of the 1950s. Today it is considered the “Home of 1000 Hits” and right in the entrance area there is a large board showing which pieces Elvis Presley recorded here. But Dolly Parsons’ “I will always love you” and other of her pieces were also recorded here. Chet Atkins was largely responsible for many productions. Although we are not allowed to play on the original Steinway grand piano, we are allowed to sit close to it for a photo. (And I touch the keys that Elvis had already touched. During the tour we repeatedly hear individual pieces that were recorded here. Elvis's hit “Are you lonesome Tonight” is also in the dark, which he apparently also performed without any light sang in and at one point came across the microphone. Even today, the studio is still used for very special occasions and recordings. For example, for the recording of John Hiat's album “Leftover Feelings” with the Jerry Douglas Band.