In Nashville, music isn’t just entertainment — it’s a way of life. And if Broadway is where the music parties, Music Row is where it’s born. Nestled just southwest of downtown, this historic district is the beating heart of Nashville’s music industry — a place where legendary hits were recorded, careers were launched, and the sound of a nation was shaped.
If you want to get behind the curtain of Music City, a stroll through Music Row is a must.
🗺️ What (and Where) is Music Row?
Music Row isn’t a single street — it’s a small but iconic cluster of streets centered around 16th and 17th Avenues South, just a mile from downtown Nashville. The area is packed with:
Historic recording studios
Publishing houses
Record label offices
Radio networks and talent agencies
At first glance, it looks like a charming, tree-lined neighborhood with stately old homes. But behind those brick facades and Victorian porches are studios where magic happens — where global hits were born and legends walked the halls.
🎚️ RCA Studio B: Where Elvis Left His Mark
If there’s one stop you absolutely shouldn’t miss on Music Row, it’s RCA Studio B.
Built in 1957, this unassuming building helped shape what became known as the “Nashville Sound” — a smoother, more polished style of country music that incorporated string sections and background vocals. It was RCA’s flagship studio in Nashville, and dozens of stars recorded there, including:
Elvis Presley (over 200 songs!)
Dolly Parton
Roy Orbison
Chet Atkins
The Everly Brothers
Take the guided tour, and you’ll get to sit in the studio, hear stories of iconic recording sessions, and even see the piano Elvis used. It’s not just a museum — it’s a living piece of music history.
🎧 Columbia Studio A & Historic RCA Victor Studio
Just around the corner, you’ll find Columbia Studio A, another studio that helped launch country into the mainstream.
Originally operated by Columbia Records, it was home to:
Bob Dylan (he recorded Blonde on Blonde here!)
Johnny Cash
Simon & Garfunkel
Linda Ronstadt
Studio A is still active today, often used by modern artists who want that vintage Nashville vibe. Walk past it, and you might just hear someone cutting their next big hit.
🎶 Walking Music Row Today
Wandering through Music Row feels a bit like stepping into a quiet museum with invisible speakers playing decades of hits. You might not hear live music blaring like on Broadway, but the energy here is different — deeper, more intimate.
What you’ll see:
Modest signs marking record labels like Sony Music, Big Machine, Universal, and Warner Music Nashville
Quirky front porches and historic markers celebrating landmark moments
Tributes to songwriters, producers, and engineers who often stay behind the scenes but shape everything we hear
Don't miss:
The Musica statue at the roundabout at Demonbreun and Division — a dramatic bronze sculpture celebrating the joy of music and dance
Plaques outside studios noting famous songs recorded there
The Country Music Hall of Fame’s Historic Marker Tour, if you're into self-guided history walks
📝 The Business of Hits: Music Row’s Modern Role
While the golden age of country recordings may feel nostalgic, Music Row is still very much alive. These streets are home to:
Publishing companies that manage songwriters and lyrics
Talent agencies and management firms
Studios used by both country stars and crossover pop artists
Many of today’s chart-toppers — from Luke Combs and Kacey Musgraves to newer indie artists — have connections to Music Row. The area continues to evolve while honoring its roots.
👀 Pro Tips for Visiting Music Row
RCA Studio B tours are operated through the Country Music Hall of Fame — book in advance, as spots fill up fast!
There aren’t many cafes or shops on Music Row, so plan a stop in nearby neighborhoods like The Gulch or Hillsboro Village for food and coffee.
Bring headphones — and listen to a playlist of artists who recorded here as you walk the streets. It’s surreal.
Music Row is quiet, but powerful. It doesn’t shout like Broadway — it sings from the soul. Standing in front of those legendary studios, you realize that behind every great song is a team of writers, musicians, producers, and dreamers who made it happen — and most of them walked these very streets.
Exploring Music Row connects you to the deeper story of Nashville: a city built on stories and sound, where every corner has a verse, and every building a chorus.
So go. Walk. Listen. Imagine. And soak in the silence that somehow still echoes with music.
Related Blogposts :
.jpg)
Comments