Historic Studio A to get $500K facelift

The owners of historic RCA Studio A are planning a $500,000 renovation that will take the facility back to what it looked like in its 1960s heyday.

The recording studio side of the Music Row building will remain largely untouched. But the other half of the complex, which houses offices, a small recording studio and co-work space, will be given a retro renovation led by the Nashville-based Anderson Design Studio, owned by Kathy Anderson.

A centerpiece of the renovation will be visible from the front of the building on Music Square West. That's where the owners plan to hang a replica of the iconic RCA Victor sign that christened the front of the building for many years.

RCA Studio A was the brainchild of Music Row luminaries Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley. Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson and Charley Pride are among the country stars who recorded there. Three years ago, the building was purchased by a developer who planned to raze the facility in order to build condos.

But preservationist Aubrey Preston stepped in to save the studio. Pop artist Ben Folds, who managed the studio for more than a decade, handed the keys of the studio operations to Nashville producer Dave Cobb. Under Cobb's direction, top country artists Chris Stapleton and Jason Isbell have undertaken projects there.

"What we're talking about is paying homage to the environment that Chet and Owen envisioned when they built this, and when they worked here," Preston said.

Atkins' desk is still in his old office on the third floor of the building. But, much of the original office furniture, flooring and other decor have been removed over the years.

"We're replacing the tile floors in the entrance on the front of the building with a late 60s terrazzo style floor," said design director Katie Stix with Anderson Design Studio. "In the lobby we're putting two womb chairs that will be the same RCA red.

"We're also replacing furniture in Atkins' old office (which is currently Preston's office)."

Burlap wall panels and new carpeting were already added in the studio space, and 1960s furniture was added to the lounge and record-listening area there.

Preston said Anderson Design Studio is looking for pieces that match the vibe of the building in the 1960s. Large photos showing the covers of the albums that have been recorded there will line the walls throughout the building.

In order to further establish the building's influence on the music industry, Preston has hired researcher, writer and historian Brenda Colladay to study Studio A's recording history. Colladay has been studying the timecards for session musicians who worked there and working to compile a list of the albums recorded at Studio A. A book about the building's history is also in the works.

"This building has a history in Nashville that is second to none, and our goal is to not gut it, but give it a face lift that takes it back to what it was when Chet worked here," Preston said.

Since purchasing the building Preston and his partners, Mike Curb and Chuck Elcan, have leased virtually all of the office space. Guitarist Steve Cropper is the lead tenant at the smaller Studio C recording space. Creative businesses of all stripes fill the office.

Reach Nate Rau at 615-259-8094 or nrau@tennessean.com. Follow him on Twitter @tnnaterau.