Two years ago, Nashville's legendary Studio A was due for demolition. After a last-minute rescue operation, the studio is now flourishing again - especially thanks to top producer Dave Cobb.
On site at Studio A in Nashville. For sound nerds, music freaks and technology lovers the recording temple right in the middle of the Music Row is an almost sacred place. A place of pilgrimage for fans of Cash, Haggard, Nelson and Elvis. After all, all of them - and many, many other legends and stars - recorded some of their strongest records here. This place of music worship was set to be sacrificed two years ago: sold, demolished, built as something new. Thankfully, Aubrey Preston, a philanthropist who lives in Leapers Fork near Franklin, objected: Together with two further wealthy kindred spirits - label boss Mike Curb and health care executive Chuck Elcan - he saved the historical music production site. And again filled it with life and a lot of music. Now again, over 200 recordings are made each year in the large studio, lead by Dave Cobb. On this rainy Friday in May, he drops in. Black, shoulder-length hair, full beard, attentive eyes, jeans outfit. Not very tall, rather slim. But jolly. "Oh yes, it's a dream to be able to record here," he says, immediately enthused, "it's like Disneyland is for a child." Dave Cobb is the hottest producer in town - not least since his two Grammys for Chris Stapleton's "Traveller" album. And long since the highly acclaimed records Jamey Johnson and Sturgill Simpson has been classified as a guarantor of quality. But now Cobb is also a man who can bring about great success. "His phone doesn't stop ringing", says Aubrey Preston while leisurely sitting on the studio couch and picking a couple of cords on a Martin guitar, "everyone in Nashville wants to work with him right now."
Someone so popular could tend to be arrogant. Not so Dave Cobb. On the contrary. When he speaks of Studio A's aura, inspiration and history, he resembles more of a musician who has just won a school band contest than a top producer with numerous hits. The enthusiasm is tangible with every word. "Every day when I come into the studio here, I think: This can't be real," he says, sits down on a chair and looks around the large, high studio, nods approvingly and continues: "In my life I've had big dreams - but not this big!" In Studio A, there is something special in the air. Something inspiring, maybe even spiritual. In any case, musicians that recorded here didn't just do their job. They lived here, felt the studio's living history and delivered their best creative performances. "For me as a producer, it is a blessing and a curse," grins Cobb from his dense black beard. "A blessing because we can record unbelievable art here. A curse because they just don't want to stop making music. I nearly never get to bed before three o'clock at night."
With this, Cobb is in best company, as Aubrey Preston remarks: "I don't know who started the rock'n'roll working hours, the working until late at night," he says from the worn out leather couch, still stroking the Martin, "but when Elvis recorded here at in the Music Row, he usually came in between six and seven in the evening. Then he ordered a bunch of hamburgers with his musicians and buddies, had a party and fooled around. At about ten they started making music - and only stopped again in the early morning hours. And on the next day, they did it again."
Unlike Elvis, nobody calls Chris Stapleton "king" yet. But currently there probably isn't another country musician who would be entitled to a crown, throne or scepter than the bearded high-flyer from Lexington, Kentucky. He too has long caught the Studio A virus, as Dave Cobb says. "Last Monday I got a text from him," the top producer tells, "he wrote: 'Hey dude, I miss you.'" He bursts out laughing and continues: "He asked what I'm doing at the moment. And I answered that I'm in the Studio A with Anderson East, working on his new record. For fun I asked Chris if he would like to play a bit of guitar on it - which I didn't mean seriously, as Chris is currently the busiest guy in Nashville - but he said: 'Sure, I'll be there in ten minutes.'" Like Elvis -the literal end of the song dragged on until the early morning hours.
When it comes to the dietary habits, Elvis and Dave Cobb however clearly differ. "We've replaced the hamburgers with Bourbon," Cobb smiles and starts a small speech on the high percentage liquor from Kentucky. The author of this article just came back from a three-day trip to Jack Daniel's distillery in Lynchburg. The implications - as the final souvenir selfie with Dave Cobb proved - were clear. But maybe not so for the friendly musician. "Oh well, Jack Daniel's," he said. "Kentucky whiskey is so much better." If I knew his favorite brand, which is called "Taylor"? Lightheadedly, I said no. "You definitely have to try it, Jack Daniel's doesn't compare. I'll give you a small sample." He meant well. The small sample was at least a double. But how could one refuse such an offer from such a nice star without any affectations? Impossible. Even if you aren't dog-tired, had too much whiskey during the last couple of days - and its only noon on a rainy Friday in May. Well, he was right. The whiskey has something. The man simply has taste.