The Frist Center opened on April 2001 and has become a magnet for Nashville’s rapidly expanding visual arts scene. The building itself was the former main post office constructed in 1933-34 and displays the most distinctive architectural styles of the period; Classicism and Art Deco. Merely strolling through the building is a visual feast. In 1984 the post office building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By 1986, the building was virtually empty with only a part being used as a branch for the post office. In the 1990s, it was determined that the building would make an outstanding art center. With the help of the Frist Foundation a partnership was formed with the United States Postal Service, the city of Nashville, and the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency to acquire the historic building and surrounding land as the new home for an art center.
The art centers logo was derived from a motif on the buildings original cast aluminum doors.
If you are visiting our great city, take time to enjoy one off Frist Center current exhibit “WARHOL LIVE”.
June 25, 2011 | Categories: Architecture, art | Tags: Andy Warhol, Art Deco, elvis, Frist, nashville, popart | Leave A Comment »
Nashville’s Studio B
“HONOR THY MUSIC”
As Music City’s only historic studio tour, RCA’s Studio B provides a glimpse into the heart of Nashville music-making during one of its most exciting and classic periods. It was originally call RCA Studios and In the 60s it became famous for being a part of what was referred to as The Nashville Sound. The studio was built in 1957 at the request of Chet Atkins and Steve Sholes and Chet said the plans were drawn up on a napkin by Bill Miltenburg, who was RCA’s chief engineer and recording manager.
In 1992 it was donated to the Country Music Hall of Fame by the late Dan Maddox. Now Studio B is co-operated by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business program. Students use the facilities for learning the basic techniques of analog recording.
In its heyday, Studio B saw the creation of numerous chartbusters, such as Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” Elvis Presley’s “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” and Charley Pride’s “Kiss an Angel Good Morning.”
My first visit to the studio was 1977 to watch Ronnie McDowell record the music for Dick Clark’s movie “Elvis” starring Kurt Russell.
So if you should find yourself in Nashville or just have the “hankerin’” to visit be sure to experience Studio B, it is a special feeling and a mass of music history.
April 26, 2011 | Categories: recording studio | Tags: Country Music, country music hall of fame, elvis, music, music city, nashville, RCA | Leave A Comment »
Elvis’ record producer, Felton Jarvis, called the end of August 1977 and asked me to do a portrait of Elvis for him. Felton said he had seen a lot of Elvis artwork and everything that Elvis had and wanted me to do the portrait. He had a particular time and situation that he wanted painted and that was when Elvis did the Aloha special. Felton loved the part where the sweat was rolling down Elvis’ face, said it looked like a tear drop. He also said, “that was a happy time for Elvis,” that he was so excited about the show and was really in top form.
We met in the office of Jerry Bradley at RCA on Music Row in October, I had just finished the painting and it was still very wet but he wanted it as soon as possible. Looking at the photo you can see how Felton is holding his left hand to make sure it did not touch the canvas.
February 18, 2011 | Categories: elvis, music producers | Tags: CD, country music hall of fame, elvis, Felton Jarvis, music, music city, nashville, RCA, records, rock and roll | Leave A Comment »
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