The Quonset Hut Studio, originally known as Bradley's Film & Recording Studios, and later as Columbia Studio B, was the first major recording studio on what would later become known as Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee.
Origins
In 1954, producer Owen Bradley, along with his brother Harold Bradley, purchased a house at 804 16th Avenue South in Nashville for $7500 to convert into a film and recording studio. The Bradleys tore out the first floor of the house to create recording space in the basement. They also attached a surplus Army Quonset hut that they bought to the back of the house to use as a television studio for filming musical performances. In 1955, the basement space became too crowded and the recording end of the Studios moved into the Quonset Hut. The recording facility became an instant success, attracting business from the Decca, Columbia, Capitol and Mercury labels.
The Bradleys sold the studio to Columbia Records in 1962.
Patsy Cline's "Crazy", Brenda Lee's "I'm Sorry" and Bobby Vinton's "Blue Velvet" were produced at the Hut and artists from different genres including Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, The Byrds, Elvis Costello, Gene Vincent and Simon & Garfunkel recorded music there.
The legendary studio operated from 1955 through 1982 when it was converted into office space. In 2006, philanthropist Mike Curb bought the structure and had it restored. Today it serves as a recording classroom for Belmont University.