Owen Bradley

William Owen Bradley (October 21, 1915 – January 7, 1998) was an American musician, bandleader and record producer who, along with Chet Atkins, Bob Ferguson, Bill Porter, and Don Law, was a chief architect of the 1950s and 60s Nashville sound in country music and rockabilly.

Bradley started with piano at a young age, and began performing professionally as a teenager. At age 20, he joined WSM (AM) as an arranger and musician, and by 1942 had become the station's musical director. At the same time, Bradley led a dance band that enjoyed popularity in local society circles.

In 1947, Bradley was hired by the head of Decca Records' country music division, Paul Cohen, to assist with recording sessions and later establish the label's operations in Nashville. In 1954, Bradley established Bradley Studios, later commonly known as the Quonset Hut Studio, which was the first music industry-related business in what is now known as Music Row, and helping establish Nashville as a recording industry center.

In 1958, Bradley became vice president of Decca's Nashville division. This period marked the beginning of the Nashville sound, a movement that aimed to broaden country music's appeal by incorporating pop elements. Bradley's work extended to producing records for artists like Patsy Cline and Loretta Lynn, playing a key role in their career successes.

Bradley sold Bradley Studios to Columbia Records in 1962, and two years later established Bradley's Barn, a new recording studio that continued to attract a range of recording artists. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1974, reflecting his impact on the industry. Bradley's later years saw him working on selected projects, including k.d. lang's Shadowland album.

Bradley's contributions have been recognized with various honors, including the dedication of a public park and a bronze likeness in Nashville. His legacy in the music industry is marked by his role in shaping the Nashville sound and influence on several generations of musicians.

Birth and Death Data: Born Westmoreland (town in Sumner County, Tennessee, United States), Died January 7, 1998 (Nashville (capital and largest city of Tennessee, United States) )

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1942 - 1967

Roles Represented in DAHR: piano, leader, organ, other, songwriter, electric organ, producer, vibraphone, clarinet

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 101-125 of 888 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca NA 2045 11/9/1949 Don't be ashamed of your age Red Foley ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2050 11/10/1949 Stand by me The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2051 11/10/1949 The old rugged cross The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2052 11/10/1949 What a friend we have in Jesus The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2053 11/10/1949 The wonderful city The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2054 11/10/1949 When I take my vacation in heaven The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2055 11/10/1949 Farther along The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2098 4/4/1950 My foolish heart Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2099 4/4/1950 Let's go to church Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2100 4/4/1950 Written guarantee Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2101 4/4/1950 Remember me Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2124 5/26/1950 Close your pretty eyes Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2125 5/26/1950 Say when Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2126 5/26/1950 La vie en rose Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2127 5/26/1950 I wanna be loved Owen Bradley leader  
Decca NA 2128 6/1/1950 O Holy night Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2129 6/1/1950 Silent night Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2130 6/1/1950 Silent night Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2131 6/1/1950 Joy to the world Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2132 6/1/1950 Deck the halls Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2133 10-in. 6/1/1950 Ring out the bells/The bells of Christmas Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2134 6/1/1950 The birthday of a King Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2135 6/1/1950 O come all ye faithful Owen Bradley instrumentalist, organ  
Decca NA 2148 6/23/1950 Hillbilly fever No. 2 Red Foley ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2149 6/23/1950 Texas Vs. Kentucky Red Foley ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
(Results 101-125 of 888 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Bradley, Owen," accessed January 6, 2026, http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106914.

Bradley, Owen. (2026). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved January 6, 2026, from http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106914.

"Bradley, Owen." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2026. Web. 6 January 2026.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: http://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106914

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