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 176-200 of 888 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca NA 2470 8/31/1951 I'm crying Walter "Hank" "Sugarfoot" Garland instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2471 8/31/1951 Seventh and Union Walter "Hank" "Sugarfoot" Garland instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2472 8/31/1951 Hillbilly express Walter "Hank" "Sugarfoot" Garland instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2473 8/31/1951 E string rag Walter "Hank" "Sugarfoot" Garland instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2501 10/12/1951 You are my lucky star Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2502 10/12/1951 Should I? Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2503 10/12/1951 All I do is dream of you Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2504 10/12/1951 Beautiful girl Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2505 10/12/1951 The wedding of the painted doll Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2506 10/12/1951 Singin' in the rain Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2507 10/12/1951 I've got a feelin' you're foolin' Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2508 10/12/1951 Fit as a fiddle Owen Bradley Quintet instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2521 10/28/1951 Christmas time's a-coming-1 Bill Monroe and his Blue Grass Boys instrumentalist, vibraphone  
Decca NA 2540 11/13/1951 So many times The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2541 11/13/1951 My mother must have been a girl like you The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2542 11/13/1951 Somebody's stolen my honey The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2543 11/13/1951 A heartsick soldier on a heartbreak ridge The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2544 11/14/1951 I'm in love with Molly Red Foley ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2545 11/14/1951 Too old to cut the mustard-1 Red Foley ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2546[a] 11/14/1951 Greensleeves Red Foley ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2550 11/30/1951 Missing in action The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2551 11/30/1951 I'll miss you when you go The Texas Troubadours ; Ernest Tubb instrumentalist, piano  
Decca NA 2702 4/21/1952 Slowly Webb Pierce instrumentalist, piano, organ  
Decca NA 2703 4/21/1952 The last waltz Webb Pierce instrumentalist, piano, organ  
Decca NA 2704 4/21/1952 Bow Thy head Webb Pierce instrumentalist, piano, organ  
(Results 176-200 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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