Preserving Nashville's Music Row for Future Generations

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently announced that it is placing Nashville's Music Row on its National Treasure list of historically sites that are threatened by development. Along with New York City's Tin Pan Alley and Brill Building, Music Row in Nashville is where so many of America's treasured songs were written and first recorded. The preservation efforts in Nashville came into focus last year when a developer was looking to demolish one of the historic RCA Studio buildings in Nashville. This studio was originally developed by country legend Chet Atkins in 1964 and has been used by a multitude of artist legends over the years including Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings. The Trust working along with Music Industry Coalition, the Mayor's office and several other groups were successful in saving the studio which for the last dozen years has been rented by singer-songwriter Ben Folds.

As the future of music and technology continue to change, many of the buildings and facilities that were once necessary to create the music of the day are no longer relevant. But that doesn't mean that the historic legacy of some of the most important sites should not be preserved for future generations to see and learn about. RCA Studio A was about to become victim to the development of more luxury condominiums. Similar size recording studios in other cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles, New York as well as international locations have already met this fate with their physical history now gone forever.

Here is the original article where we learned about these preservation efforts: ABCNEWs: Coalition-Announces-Effort-To-Preserve-Nashvilles-Music-Wow. To learn more about the National Trust for Historic Preservation and their efforts to save many of our treasured buildings, please visit them at www.PreservationNation.org/

What musically history sites do you think should be preserved for future generations? Drop us a comment to let us know your thoughts. Until next time, have a great night and we'll be back sooooon with another musical post-it note for you :)

Music, Love & Laughter

Vincent James @ LoveSongs.com

Happy Mothers Day and NOW US - 50th Edition

First we'd like to send out a BIG Happy Mothers Day to all the Moms out there! We are all indebted to you for everything you have done for us in the past, present and future. Canada Huffington Post has a great article listing some of the most touching songs about Mom which includes tracks by Taylor Swift, Christina Aguilera, Carrie Underwood, Boyz II Men and more. Check out the full list right here - 20 of the most adorable Songs about Mom

One of the standout songs is "Mama Liked the Roses" by Elvis Presley who lost his mother to a heart attack in 1958 when he was 23. His tearful funeral quote was "Goodbye, darling. I love you so much. I lived my whole life just for you." A decade later, Elvis recorded this beautiful tribute that shows just how much a mother's love endures.

"Now That's What I Call Music - 50th US Edition

Since 1998, the "Now That's What I Call Music" has steadily put out hit CD after hit CD. The "NOW" series originally started in the UK in 1983 and has now expanded to over 25 countries. Altogether the US series of 50 CDs has included 984 songs, 583 artists and together with all NOW series in the world have sold over 250 million CDs (WOW NOW!). The US 50th NOW CD track listing includes some of the best songs on the radio right now including "Happy" by Pharrell Williams, "All of Me" by John Legend, "Pompeii" by Bastille and more.

Unfortunately not all the NOW tracks are hit material - As I continued scrolling through the track list and listening to unfamiliar songs there were many of what I would call B-sides included. I'm sure this has to do more with licensing restrictions then the inability to pick out the hit songs :) Still you may listen to the whole CD and find a new gem of a song that really appeals to you.

Here's a Youtube tribute to the NOW US - 50th edition:

NOTE: When searching out the NOW 50th edition be aware that the UK 50th edition came out in 2001 (confusing right :)) and the UK version includes some very cool hits from say 13 years ago. Here's the YouTube clip for NOW UK 50th which features Westlife, Destiny's Child and Kylie Minoque among others (flassssh back whiplash :))

That's all for today kiddies - Once again a very HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to all the Moms out there - hope you have a wonderful Mothers Day Weekend!

Peace, Love & Laughter,

Vincent James @ LoveSongs.com