Bill On The Road
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • Road Trip Lists
    • Tips
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • BILL’S BOOKS
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Booking Information
    • Appearances
  • Work With Bill
  • Contact
  • ROAD TRIP IDEAS
    • SIGHTSEEING
    • AMERICA
    • Road Trip Lists
    • Tips
    • ROAD QUIRK
  • BILL’S BOOKS
  • About Bill On The Road
    • About Bill Clevlen
    • Booking Information
    • Appearances
  • Work With Bill
  • Contact
Bill On The Road
ODDS & ENDS

Hanging Out With A Country Music Legend

by Bill Clevlen May 8, 2016
by Bill Clevlen

Jerry Bradley sits a foot away from me, in an old waiting room chair from the RCA Records building on Music Row in Nashville.  It’s one of hundreds of objects he refers to as “good junk” in his Mt. Juliet man cave.

Like a Grandfather whose stories captivate even a kid with the attention span of a house fly – Mr. Bradley serves up tale after tale that leaves you wanting more and more.

RCA Sign

The original RCA signage that once appeared on the front of the RCA Nashville building when Jerry Bradley was President of RCA Records.

He tells the story of signing a little known group called Alabama.  At the time they were on a tiny label and nobody in Nashville wanted them.  Bradley, wanting a group as part of his label’s catalog of artists – signed them anyway.  The group became one of the biggest selling bands in music history with over 75 million albums sold and more than 40 number one hit songs.

Each piece of “junk” in the former Bradley Barn has an incredible story behind it.  A black and white autographed photo of what appears to be astronauts on the moon is sitting on the floor propped up against the wall.    Mr. Bradley tells me how he produced a cassette for the guys that went to the moon so they’d have something to listen to on their trip.

Gold Records

A wall of gold records indicates how many songs and artists have been influenced by Jerry Bradley and his father, also a famous music producer, Owen Bradley.

The first one to catch my eye was a gold record for Wanted! The Outlaws – an album known to insiders as a monumental production that in many ways, changed the music business.  Mr. Bradley shares stories (and headaches) of getting together the artists – Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and Tompall Glasser to get the album produced.

“A lawyer got involved, Tompall wouldn’t sign the papers to release the album and so I called him.  I said this is Jerry Bradley and I have two album covers – one that has your picture on it and one that doesn’t.  You have ten minutes to bring me the signed contract.”

Of course, Mr. Glasser came running into Bradley’s office with the signed contract.

Bradley Barn

A photo of what Bradley’s Barn looked like before catching fire in 1982. Some of the biggest names in music recorded here including Conway Twitty, Burl Ives and Dolly Parton.

 

The property where the Bradley Barn was once located is absolutely beautiful and peaceful – surrounded by nothing but trees and fresh air.  It’s no wonder so many artists wanted to escape the bright lights of Nashville and come here to record their songs.  Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton, Dinah Shore, Burl Ives and so many others came here to sing and cement their place in music history.

Mr. Bradley talks about his Dad who taught him everything he needed to know to be a success in the entertainment business.

“If he told me to sweep the floor, I’d sweep the floor.  But, before long he had me turning knobs.”

A wire in a fluorescent light started a fire that would burn Bradley Barn down in 1982 on his Dad’s 65th birthday.

Jerry Bradley

Standing with Mr. Jerry Bradley in front of a recording console that helped produce many well known country songs and albums. The console is set to be donated to Wilson County, TN for a museum exhibit.

As we wrapped up our radio interview, Jerry points at my recorder and says “You’ll want to get this one on tape” and proceeds to tell me another great story.   He talks about the day Waylon Jennings brought him three songs and he hated all of them.

“You don’t look interested” exclaimed Jennings.

He concurred that he wasn’t thrilled even though they’d probably still sell a couple hundred thousand copies.   At that point, Jennings stood up and sang what would become one of the most well known country music songs of all time.

Standing up from behind his desk Bradley yelled: “Whatever you do, go record that tonight and throw one of those other three in the trash.”

That was the birth of a tune called “Mama’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys”.

 

0
FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail
Bill Clevlen

Bill Clevlen is a road trip expert and travel content creator for radio and TV stations across the U.S. His stories have been published in major media outlets like The Los Angeles Times and is heard sharing travel tips and ideas on SiriusXM Radio. He's the author of five travel books - The Ultimate American Music Bucket List, 100 Things To Do In America Before You Die, Driving Across America, An American Road Trip For Kids, and Finding The American Dream.

previous post
Senoia, Georgia: Home Of The Walking Dead
next post
Joplin Still Healing Five Years Later

Have You Visited These Places?

  • 8 Great Reasons To Stop In Oceanside, California

  • Here Are Six Fun Things To Do While Visiting Phoenix

  • Visit Roswell, New Mexico For Out of This World Family Fun

  • Visit These Three States And The Life of Buddy Holly

  • Now Is The Time To Rediscover Abilene, Texas

  • Is Fredericksburg The Best Small Town In Texas?

  • Galveston, Oh Galveston: My Visit To Galveston, Texas

  • Coastal Mississippi’s Biggest Attraction: Kindness

  • What I Learned After One Week In The Villages

  • Thoroughbred Country Is A Hidden Gem in South Carolina

LATEST TRAVEL TIPS

Subscribe for the latest road trip ideas, behind the scenes updates, travel tips & videos from Bill On The Road!

viagra here kamagra kokemuksia here
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Email

@2021 - Bill On The Road | Rediscover America


Back To Top