United Record Pressing opened up for business in Nashville in 1949. The business was a success – creating the new and popular vinyl records. It was a specialist business indeed.
As the business expanded into the fifties and early sixties, it was Motown music that was dominating the charts. But along with that came a problem. The United States, in many areas, still segregated the population depending on skin colour. And most of the popular musicians, particularly the Motown singers and artists, were black.
When musicians needed to stay in Nashville, when they were recording at the United Record Pressing business, they had nowhere locally to stay. Hotels and other accommodation wouldn’t accept their race.
There was a simple answer – the upper floor of United was converted into guest suites so that visiting musicians could stay in style. They started to run tours to the place so that music fans could see where the greats had stayed.
United Record Pressing moved to larger premises in 2017 and suspended their tour operation temporarily during the upheaval but potential tourers can now visit the site again. Call 615-259-9396 for times and details.
WHERE IS THE ORIGINAL UNITED RECORD PRESSING BUILDING?
United Record Pressing
453 Chestnut St,
Nashville,
TN 37203,
USA
ARTICLE BY:
Jackie
JJ is originally from the UK and has lived in South Florida since 1994. She is the founder and editor of JAQUO Magazine. You can connect with her using the social media icons below.