Bradley's Studio (Quonset Hut) 1955 ~ 1982: Red Foley, Hearts of Stone

Bradley's Studio (Quonset Hut) 1955 ~ 1982
In the late 1940s Owen Bradley was conducting recording and producing sessions for Decca Records at the Castle Studio, Tulane Hotel in Nashville. Some of the artist that Owen produced there included, Red Foley, Faron Young, Kitty Wells and Webb Pierce. In 1953, the Bradley's moved to a house on 804 16th Avenue South, (the current location of Sony Music, Nashville), with a Quonset Hut attached to the main building. In 1955, the Quonset Hut was converted into a production studio becoming the first production and recording studio on the street, which today is known as Nashville's Music Row.

In 1959, Patsy Cline's "Walkin' After Midnight" became a No. 2 country hit, but she was struggling with a stagnant career. This was primarily due to her association with her label, 4 Star records. When Cline was able to break loose from 4 Star, she signed with Decca Records (1960). Then, her career kicked into high gear as she and Owen started to make magic. The first single Cline recorded on her new contract was the No. 1 single, "I Fall to Pieces." The studio was equipped with a 3-track console he purchased from Decca and selected by Owen and renowned engineer Glenn Snoddy, the technician who had built the studio's first stereo mixing board.

Around that time, Grand Ole Opry (Opry) executives approached the Bradley's wanting them to produce some (35mm) color films in the Quonset Hut. They wanted to modify part of the interior to resemble a barn. They overlaid the concrete sides with wood and at the end they built a barn door. To their surprise, the wood almost perfectly balanced the acoustic affect. The Opry filming was a success and the Quonset Hut became known as "Bradley's Barn." The recording facility became an instant success, attracting business from both Decca and Columbia records. In 1957, RCA constructed a recording and production studio a block away from the Quonset Hut. In 1962, the brothers sold the Quonset Hut to Columbia Records.

The legendary studio operated from 1955 through 1982 when it was converted into office space. In 2006, philanthropist, Mike Curb bought the structure and restored it. Today it serves as a Belmont University hands on recording classroom. The Quonset Hut produced some of the biggest recording sessions in country music. The following is a partial annotation of artists who spent time in the famed Quonset Hut:

• Anita Kerr
• Barbara Mandrell
• Bergen White
• Bill Anderson
• Billy Sherrill
• Bob Luman
• Bob Moore
• Bobby Bare
• Bobby Goldsboro
• Bobby Helms
• Bobby Vinton
• Brenda Lee
• Buddy Harmon
• Buddy Holly
• Buck Owens
• Burl Ives
• Carl Smith
• Charlie McCoy
• Charlie Rich
• Claude King
• Conway Twitty
• Don Law
• Ernest Tubb
• Floyd Cramer
• George Jones
• Gene Pitney
• Gene Vincent
• Grady Martin
• Hank Garland
• Hargus Robbins
• Harold Bradley
• Henry Strzlecki
• Jack Shook
• Jerry Carrigan
• Jim Reeves
• Jimmy Capps
• Jimmy Dean
• John Anderson
• Johnny Cash
• Johnny Duncan
• Johnny Horton
• Johnny Paycheck
• Kitty Wells
• Kris Kristofferson
• Larry Butler
• Leon Russell
• Leroy Van Dyke
• Lou Bradley
• Lloyd Green
• Lynn Anderson
• Marty Robbins
• Marvin Rainwater
• Merle Haggard
• Mickey Newbury
• Mitch Miller
• Norro Wilson
• Owen Bradley
• Paul Cohen
• Pete Drake
• Pete Wade
• Ray Price
• Ray Edenton
• Ray Stevens
• Roger Miller
• Ronny Dove
• Roy Acuff
• Sheb Wooley
• Shelby Singleton
• Glenn Snoddy
• Sonny James
• Stonewall Jackson
• Tammy Wynette
• The Jordanaires
• Tommy Alsu

About Owen Bradley (10/21/1915 -- 1/7/1998): Owen Bradley is the man who, in 1955, built the first music-business structure on what became Music Row in Nashville. At age twenty, he took a job with WSM-AM radio working as an musician. In 1942, he became the station's musical director. In 1947, Bradley took a position as an assistant producer at Decca Records. Bradley's achievements in the Country music industry included laying the foundation for the success of Decca Records and producing dozens of artists. In 1974 Bradley was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

About Harold Bradley (b. 1/2/1926) Harold was at first fascinated by the banjo. However, taking advice from Owen, he switched to the guitar. He toured with Ernest Tubb during his teens. After a stint in the Navy, he attended George Peabody College (Nashville), studying music. By the early-'50s, Harold's session career was underway and throughout the '50s and '60s, his expertise landed him session work with dozens of artists. ~ RJB: Country Music Historian, 10/2010.

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[franielee38]

Love Red Foley.  You can play him anytime!!!

[jtls8]

That is quite a partial list!!!

[no1countryfan]

this is how would ray stevens discribe this....?

too cool too cool too cool.

Thank you.

Mike