ifty years ago in Nashville, the RCA Victor buildings known now as “Studio A” and “Studio B” ushered in a new era for Nashville’s music industry, bringing state-of-the-art technology to Music Row and making Music City USA a worldwide brand in just a few years’ time. Today, this important piece of American music history continues to operate under the looming threat of demolition, despite being widely considered by historians to be the most important music history site on Nashville’s famous Music Row.

These few acres were once the center of the city’s creative music scene, home to an informal “producers’ alley” where Chet Atkins, Cowboy Jack Clement, Bob Ferguson and others kept offices. It was on this site that songwriters and publishers once pitched and discussed the songs that would not only be recorded by major artists, but make country music history worldwide.

Expanded in 1964 to become one of the premier sound engineering marvels of its time, the complex provided space to record a

100-piece orchestra, creating a unique acoustic environment that even today exists in only a handful of recording studios in the world. From Dolly Parton and Charley Pride to Nancy Sinatra, Perry Como and Al Hirt,  the depth of music history that can be traced back to the RCA Victor Nashville Studios is astounding.

Today, centrally located Nashville real estate is hotter than it has been in decades. Almost overnight, developers have come into the area looking for teardown sites that allow zoning for high-rise construction. Sadly, the Studio A side of the RCA Victor complex falls into that category.

In late July 2014, Brentwood, Tennessee developer Tim Reynolds of Bravo Development closed on the property at a purchase price of 4.1 million dollars, vowing to preserve and incorporate the legendary studio into his plans.

On September 12, 2014 eviction notices were delivered to all tenants effective November 30, 2014. On September 19, 2014 the developer publicly announced plans to demolish the Studio A building and build

80 condominiums in its place, a move that will erase an essential piece of our Music City identity. Nashville’s Metro Historic Zoning Commission has stepped in to delay the demolition permit, but unless a compromise with the developer can be reached quickly, demolition will happen as early as December 2014.

We don’t have much time. At this moment, a diverse group of concerned citizens is working hard to raise awareness and protect Studio A from its planned demolition. Just as the Ryman was threatened and saved back in the 1970s, we hope to save Studio A by telling its story, rallying the community and encouraging Mr. Reynolds and Nashville area leaders to begin a responsible discussion to protect this irreplaceable Music City landmark.

Please join us on Facebook and Twitter, sign our petition and share this important message with your friends, before it’s too late.