HISTORIC RCA STUDIO B’S GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION ROLLS ON WITH TWO SPECIAL JULY PROGRAMS
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum Presents “The Life and Music of Chet Atkins” on July 12 and “Mr. Record Man: A Conversation with Fred Foster” on July 21
NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 18, 2007 – The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum continues its celebration of Historic RCA Studio B’s 50th anniversary with two upcoming programs: On July 12, the Museum welcomes Dr. Richard Hood, who will present his lecture “The Life and Times of Chet Atkins.” And on July 21, the Museum will present the program “Mr. Record Man: A Conversation with Fred Foster.” Both programs are included with Museum admission and are free to Museum members.
Known internationally for his prowess as a guitarist, Country Music Hall of Fame member Chet Atkins also served for many years as a producer and executive at RCA Victor, where he presided over the label’s Studio B. Guitarist and Atkins expert Dr. Richard Hood, who will be in Music City for the annual meeting of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society, will present “The Life and Times of Chet Atkins” on Thursday, July 12, at noon. The lecture, which will take place in the Museum’s SunTrust Community Room, will offer an overview of Atkins’ life and work and will include slides and live guitar performance. Audience members are invited to bring their lunches to this special midday program.
On Saturday, July 21, the Museum will present “Mr. Record Man: A Conversation with Fred Foster.” This program, which will begin at 2:00 p.m. in the Museum’s Ford Theater, shines a spotlight on a music industry pioneer. Foster launched Monument Records in 1958 and used Studio B for most of his recording sessions before establishing his own studio in downtown Nashville. As a promotion man, studio owner, label head and producer, Foster worked with numerous stars including Grandpa Jones, Roy Orbison, Boots Randolph, Jeannie Seely, Ray Stevens and Billy Walker. Museum Senior Historian John Rumble will interview Foster about his experiences at Studio B and about his illustrious career.
Attendees of either Studio B program will receive a voucher allowing them to tour Studio B for only $5 on any date in 2007 (Museum members will receive a voucher allowing them to tour Studio B at no charge). Museum visitors are always invited to upgrade admission to include a guided tour of Historic RCA Studio B. Those taking the one-hour excursion will board the Museum’s bus and enjoy a driving tour of Music Row and a building tour of Studio B. Visitors will hear recordings created in the studio and tales from the building’s illustrious past. From Memorial Day to Labor Day, the daily tours ($12.95 adults/ $10.95 youths/$5 Museum members) depart from the Museum’s main entrance on the half hour beginning at 10:30 a.m., with the last one departing at 2:30 p.m. During the remainder of the year, Studio B tours are offered hourly between 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and every half hour from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Historic RCA Studio B is the Home of 1,000 Hits, where superstars like Eddy Arnold, Roy Orbison, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Elvis Presley, and many others recorded some of American music’s most enduring songs. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum began operating Studio B as a historic site in 1977 and in 1996 restored the primary studio area to its original look. Beginning in the fall of 2003, facilitated by the philanthropy of the Mike Curb Family Foundation, Belmont University students began using Studio B as a workshop for completing recording projects, a partnership that also supports the Museum’s educational programs. Through the Museum, educational tours and recording opportunities staffed by both organizations are offered to students, arts organizations, educational institutions and visitors.
These programs are made possible, in part, by grants from the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission and by an agreement between the Tennessee Arts Commission and National Endowment for the Arts.
Preservation of Historic RCA Studio B is made possible by the Mike Curb Family Foundation.
Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is operated by the Country Music Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization chartered by the state of Tennessee in 1964. The Museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of country and related vernacular music rooted in southern culture. With the same educational mission, the Foundation also operates CMF Records, the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive, CMF Press, Historic RCA Studio B, and Hatch Show Print.
More information about the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is available at www.countrymusichalloffame.com or by calling (615) 416-2001.