9June2008 Music is Nashville's life
We took the coach, which departed from the Country Music Hall of Fame, to Studio B. For a couple of decades, the little nondescript building was Nashville’s center of music production. Superstars were forged and chartbusters were recorded within its four walls. This was also where the Nashville Sound was created. Hearing stars reminiscing the times spent in the studio, looking at the black-and-white photos on the walls, and surrounded by the original sound equipment and instruments, one could not help but feel that the music ghosts of the past were still present within these walls – eerie yet fascinating.
Well, it was a quick run through the Country Music Hall of Fame. There was an exhibit recalling the career and times of Marty Robbins, CMHF 1982 inductee. Competing for the visitor’s time was: Tradition – The Williams Family Legacy, the sweet yet poignant story of Hank Williams Senior and that of his son who was also a singer. We really didn’t have enough time to do everything justice.
What we found very interesting was how different music genre developed and evolved over time, in sync with the unfolding history of the US. Hank Williams and honky-tonk, Bill Monroe and blue grass, Chet Atkins and the Nashville sound were just a few examples that came to mind. We couldn't think of more only because country music has not been as widely disseminated as pop outside of the US, and there were many great artists were haven’t heard of. The flow of one genre into another was also important. This could only be highlighted by unique stars, like Patsy Cline who crossed effortlessly between country and pop rock. Just as defining was Elvis’ inimitable style in serving up a concoction of rock n roll, blues, gospel and a bit of country.
We slipped into one of Nashville’s many honk-tonks, Legends of Music, for a quick respite. If only we had enough time to do a bar-crawl!
The famous Ryman auditorium is a National Historic Landmark. This beautiful edifice was built in 1892 as a place of worship. Later, it hosted a variety of activities that needed a big auditorium. The radio broadcast that morphed into the premier Country and Western live music show – the Grand Ole Opry – called the Ryman home from 1943 -1974. During that time, many famous performers graced its stage. It was the aim of fledgling singers and musicians to make it to this place. The building fell into neglect after Grand Ole Opry moved to its new premises. A couple of decades later, the grand old building was restored and the renovation of the auditorium were completed in 1994. Touring the galleries of Ryman was like walking through the history of country music. With eyes closed, and ears properly attuned, one might be privileged enough to detect the faint strains of Blue Grass music drifting through the dressing rooms and vestibules.
We finally got into the Memphis BW Executive Inn by nine.
Distanced traveled 224.3 miles
The modest entrance to the historic RCA Studio B. Notice a hit of its most famous recording star commemorated outside? Elvis Presley's inimitable Heartbreak Hotel. The recording studio was used, from 1957, for twenty years.
Besides the many hits made within Studio B, RCA executive Chet Atkins, also known as Mr Guitar, helped create the Nashville Sound. Country waned in popularity when radio lost out to TV. With a group of studio musicians, Chetkins presided over the production of pop-oriented country music with the addition of strings and backing vocals. The smooth sound found a wide audience. In the 60's, Nashville was only second to New York as a recording center and Studio B was at the heart of Nashville's music production. Chet Atkins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973
Countless hits were recorded here, like:
1958 Everly Brothers's All I have to do is dream
Elvis' A Big Hunk of Love
1959 Jim Reeves' He'll Have to Go
1960 Roy Orbison's Only the Lonely
Elvis' It's Now or Never
1961 Elvis' Little Sister
Remember Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You or Elvis' Are You Lonesome Tonight? They were recorded here too.
Can't help sitting at the grand piano which Country Music Hall of Fame 2003 inductee Floyd Cramer used for many recordings
The bus that took us from the CMHFM to Studio B. On the guided tour, visitors heard stars relating their experience in the studio. There was also vintage film footage of recording sessions. Some of the recording equipment used then were also on show.
Taken in Studio B - Dolly Parton and her mentor Porter Wagoner. Only by being in Tennessee did we learn how loved and well respected Dolly Parton was. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and he in 2002
Lobby of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
See the piano key design
People were really serious about country music (full screen please)
The Williams' saga - the story of the accomplishments and heartaches of Hank Williams Sr and Jr - an exihibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Elvis Presley's gold piano in the CMHFM. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998
The Ryman Auditorium is one of the most distinguished cultural heritage in the United States. Built in 1892 and renovated in 1994, it had hosted many historical performances and concerts. The Fisk Jubilee Singers that initiated Nashville's reputation as an epicenter for music in the US had performed here. It goes without saying that music legends of many genres also performed here over the decades.
A few accolades worth noting: One of "10 Coolest Venues" in the world by a travel website; voted one of five "Best Places to Hear Live Music" in America by an online search group; named Theatre of the Year by the music industry for both 2003 and 2004.
Visitors to the 'Mother Church of Country Music' were treated to a short film of the history of this building
The original oak pews were restored in the renovation. The translucent stained glass windows were replicas of the ones in the original building.
Visitors were welcome to have their pictures taken on stage - guitars for hamming it up were available.
The circular seating arrangement and the solid oak pews were credited for the auditorium's excellent acoustics - claimed to be amongst the best in America.
Blue Grass music was originally played by the pioneers that settled in the South Appalachians. It was a blend of the sounds from Britain, the blues of the slaves and gospel music. But Bill Monroe, from 1946-48, brought it to the nation's attention with his band of Blue Grass Boys who combined the mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, and bass plus soulful vocals to produce the generic Blue Grass sound. The 'Father of Blue Grass Music' sold a staggering 50 millions records. When this famous band broke up, Monroe hired many other musicians whose tenures served as the basis for the formation of many new bands, each with their version of the 'sound'. Bill Monroe was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.(Photo from a Ryman Auditorium gallery)
Hank Williams Sr - remember Your Cheating Heart?
He was very popular in the 30's, when honky-tonk - the electric amplification of steel guitar and fiddle - was born. He sang of the loss and spiritual dislocation of youth as they left the countryside for the cities. He was also a prolific song writer and was reputed to have an electric stage presence. His son was also a singer.
Hank Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. (Photo from a Ryman Auditorium gallery)
Patsy Cline - the legendary country singer of the early 60's who effortlessly produced country as well as pop hits. Her untimely demise as the age of 30 was a shock to the industry. Her status as a legend grew as her records kept selling. Patsy Cline was the first female vocalist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.(Photo from a Ryman Auditorium gallery)
Performers who boasted one experience in common - they all played or sang in the Ryman Auditorium. WSM was the call sign of the radio broadcast which started in 1925. (Aficionados - put this on full screen, and you will recognise quite a few faces)
Bars with music were not closed in the afternoon. A continuous stream of people wandered in. If it was changeover time (in between musicians), they would saunter out only to be replaced by others who might be lucky enough to catch a performer who had just come on.
Do those walls have stories to tell!
Must pay a quick visit to Legends Corner, close to Ryman's Auditorium.
One would find this a very unique bar if one had time to examine all the memorabilia on the wall
Well, it was a quick run through the Country Music Hall of Fame. There was an exhibit recalling the career and times of Marty Robbins, CMHF 1982 inductee. Competing for the visitor’s time was: Tradition – The Williams Family Legacy, the sweet yet poignant story of Hank Williams Senior and that of his son who was also a singer. We really didn’t have enough time to do everything justice.
What we found very interesting was how different music genre developed and evolved over time, in sync with the unfolding history of the US. Hank Williams and honky-tonk, Bill Monroe and blue grass, Chet Atkins and the Nashville sound were just a few examples that came to mind. We couldn't think of more only because country music has not been as widely disseminated as pop outside of the US, and there were many great artists were haven’t heard of. The flow of one genre into another was also important. This could only be highlighted by unique stars, like Patsy Cline who crossed effortlessly between country and pop rock. Just as defining was Elvis’ inimitable style in serving up a concoction of rock n roll, blues, gospel and a bit of country.
We slipped into one of Nashville’s many honk-tonks, Legends of Music, for a quick respite. If only we had enough time to do a bar-crawl!
The famous Ryman auditorium is a National Historic Landmark. This beautiful edifice was built in 1892 as a place of worship. Later, it hosted a variety of activities that needed a big auditorium. The radio broadcast that morphed into the premier Country and Western live music show – the Grand Ole Opry – called the Ryman home from 1943 -1974. During that time, many famous performers graced its stage. It was the aim of fledgling singers and musicians to make it to this place. The building fell into neglect after Grand Ole Opry moved to its new premises. A couple of decades later, the grand old building was restored and the renovation of the auditorium were completed in 1994. Touring the galleries of Ryman was like walking through the history of country music. With eyes closed, and ears properly attuned, one might be privileged enough to detect the faint strains of Blue Grass music drifting through the dressing rooms and vestibules.
We finally got into the Memphis BW Executive Inn by nine.
Distanced traveled 224.3 miles
The modest entrance to the historic RCA Studio B. Notice a hit of its most famous recording star commemorated outside? Elvis Presley's inimitable Heartbreak Hotel. The recording studio was used, from 1957, for twenty years.
Besides the many hits made within Studio B, RCA executive Chet Atkins, also known as Mr Guitar, helped create the Nashville Sound. Country waned in popularity when radio lost out to TV. With a group of studio musicians, Chetkins presided over the production of pop-oriented country music with the addition of strings and backing vocals. The smooth sound found a wide audience. In the 60's, Nashville was only second to New York as a recording center and Studio B was at the heart of Nashville's music production. Chet Atkins was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973
Countless hits were recorded here, like:
1958 Everly Brothers's All I have to do is dream
Elvis' A Big Hunk of Love
1959 Jim Reeves' He'll Have to Go
1960 Roy Orbison's Only the Lonely
Elvis' It's Now or Never
1961 Elvis' Little Sister
Remember Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You or Elvis' Are You Lonesome Tonight? They were recorded here too.
Can't help sitting at the grand piano which Country Music Hall of Fame 2003 inductee Floyd Cramer used for many recordings
The bus that took us from the CMHFM to Studio B. On the guided tour, visitors heard stars relating their experience in the studio. There was also vintage film footage of recording sessions. Some of the recording equipment used then were also on show.
Taken in Studio B - Dolly Parton and her mentor Porter Wagoner. Only by being in Tennessee did we learn how loved and well respected Dolly Parton was. She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999 and he in 2002
Lobby of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
See the piano key design
People were really serious about country music (full screen please)
The Williams' saga - the story of the accomplishments and heartaches of Hank Williams Sr and Jr - an exihibition at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Elvis Presley's gold piano in the CMHFM. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1998
The Ryman Auditorium is one of the most distinguished cultural heritage in the United States. Built in 1892 and renovated in 1994, it had hosted many historical performances and concerts. The Fisk Jubilee Singers that initiated Nashville's reputation as an epicenter for music in the US had performed here. It goes without saying that music legends of many genres also performed here over the decades.
A few accolades worth noting: One of "10 Coolest Venues" in the world by a travel website; voted one of five "Best Places to Hear Live Music" in America by an online search group; named Theatre of the Year by the music industry for both 2003 and 2004.
Visitors to the 'Mother Church of Country Music' were treated to a short film of the history of this building
The original oak pews were restored in the renovation. The translucent stained glass windows were replicas of the ones in the original building.
Visitors were welcome to have their pictures taken on stage - guitars for hamming it up were available.
The circular seating arrangement and the solid oak pews were credited for the auditorium's excellent acoustics - claimed to be amongst the best in America.
Blue Grass music was originally played by the pioneers that settled in the South Appalachians. It was a blend of the sounds from Britain, the blues of the slaves and gospel music. But Bill Monroe, from 1946-48, brought it to the nation's attention with his band of Blue Grass Boys who combined the mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, and bass plus soulful vocals to produce the generic Blue Grass sound. The 'Father of Blue Grass Music' sold a staggering 50 millions records. When this famous band broke up, Monroe hired many other musicians whose tenures served as the basis for the formation of many new bands, each with their version of the 'sound'. Bill Monroe was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1970.(Photo from a Ryman Auditorium gallery)
Hank Williams Sr - remember Your Cheating Heart?
He was very popular in the 30's, when honky-tonk - the electric amplification of steel guitar and fiddle - was born. He sang of the loss and spiritual dislocation of youth as they left the countryside for the cities. He was also a prolific song writer and was reputed to have an electric stage presence. His son was also a singer.
Hank Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961. (Photo from a Ryman Auditorium gallery)
Patsy Cline - the legendary country singer of the early 60's who effortlessly produced country as well as pop hits. Her untimely demise as the age of 30 was a shock to the industry. Her status as a legend grew as her records kept selling. Patsy Cline was the first female vocalist to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1973.(Photo from a Ryman Auditorium gallery)
Performers who boasted one experience in common - they all played or sang in the Ryman Auditorium. WSM was the call sign of the radio broadcast which started in 1925. (Aficionados - put this on full screen, and you will recognise quite a few faces)
Bars with music were not closed in the afternoon. A continuous stream of people wandered in. If it was changeover time (in between musicians), they would saunter out only to be replaced by others who might be lucky enough to catch a performer who had just come on.
Do those walls have stories to tell!
Must pay a quick visit to Legends Corner, close to Ryman's Auditorium.
One would find this a very unique bar if one had time to examine all the memorabilia on the wall
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