Step inside the RCA Studios on Music Row in Nashville and you feel it immediately.
It’s like walking into a time machine.
The history echoes from every wall.
You can almost see the legends at work, perfecting their sound in Studio B, laying down vocals in Studio C.
It’s impossible not to envision the likes of Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley right there, signing deals at the very desk in Chet Atkins old office that still sits upstairs today.
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to shoot part of our documentary, Unbreakable, (Season one is on Prime Video) featuring Chet Roberts of 3 Doors Down there.
We spoke with Roberts, now co-founder of Fourth Door Media & Entertainment, as well as Chris Henderson and Justin Biltonen of 3 Doors Down.
Roberts works with artists at Studio C with Label 22, a nonprofit founded by an acclaimed country music singer, songwriter and combat veteran, Stephen Cochran, and Brian Romans, a leader in the veteran nonprofit world.
It’s a unique label in that it’s one of the world’s first veteran-owned and operated nonprofit record labels that provides veterans with the tools, mentorship, and opportunities to turn their musical passions into reality.
Bobby Spivey, the COO of Label 22 Records, says, “If you’re a veteran or offspring of a veteran, you can come to us and we’ll record your music, try to put you on the radio and chart you. That’s our goal.”
Everyone here has served.
They’re all veterans.
Before it was Label 22, the organization was called Stop 22.
There was a good reason for that.
According to Spivey, “22 veterans kill themselves every day… so we started Stop 22 about 20 years ago to bring awareness and help those suffering from PTSD—just to get them to call before they make that next step. We took that mission on the road—touring the country, asking people, ‘please, give us a call before you make that next step.’”
As they traveled the country, they realized so many of those veterans were talented musicians and artists. That’s how Label 22 began.
Spivey says, “We’re two years old now and we’ve had our artists play at the Grand Ole Opry, they’ve been Billboard charted, and several are on iTunes charts.”
Working diligently with his dog by his side, Eddie Gore, a grammy nominated producer, is always working with artists, honing their craft in Studio C.
He remains in awe of the music royalty that’s created magic here.
Gore says, “Some of the biggest stars in the world have recorded in Studio C. Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, when his band was working in the big room, they came over and did a lot of vocal over-dubs here back in 68.”
The list goes on and on.
Elvis has recorded here.
Dolly Parton.
Michael Jackson.
The Beatles.
As Spivey puts it, “You name it, they’ve cut here. In this building I would say probably 60-70 percent of country music and other music at one time came out of this building in some fashion. Either they were under the RCA umbrella as a label, or they were recording here.”
With that kind of tradition, Gore fits in perfectly, because he’s worked with some of the best in the business.
“I got to work with Keith Urban in here,” says Gore. He says, “I can just start thinking of the huge names I’ve had. Six months ago, I got to work with Eric Clapton, so we’re just keeping it rolling.”
And rolling it is.
Gore’s goal is simple.
“What I do mainly is I help artists find their voice in the industry, whether the artists have been in it for a little bit or if they are just looking for something new. I help them find a voice for that new project.”
Gore loves his work environment, saying, “This is such a beautiful place and people get to really be creative here. This room allows for tons of development. It’s not like we’re on a schedule. We take the time to do it right. Some are quick, and some take a little bit of time as we’re designing whatever that next project is.”
Gore is quick to point out that it’s not his way or the highway when it comes to working with artists.
He says, “I just make suggestions; I don’t necessarily tell them what to do. I love to give my artists options so they can make better decisions for themselves. I just sort of start steering that ship in the right direction. I don’t want to start just telling them what to do, I’d never do that.”
You can add Chet Roberts to the list of well-known artists working in Studio C that Gore admires.
Like Gore, Roberts has also worked as a producer helping artists perfect their craft.
Gore says, “Chet, like the band 3 Doors Down, is a giver. They gave to themselves and to their worldwide fans. Chet, and all the members of the band, have a gift. Now, he’s sharing all that information with up-and-coming artists through Fourth Door Media. When you’ve got somebody that’s been there and done it like he has, artists just have to open their ears and listen.”
Gore admires how Roberts and the other members of 3 Doors Down are trying to cope with the devastating loss of their friend and former lead singer, Brad Arnold.
“It’s devastating, especially with what he meant to the rest of the team and his fans. But Chet understands he can’t just stop. He needs to keep going because he’s learned so much and there’s so much love associated with what the band accomplished with 3 Doors Down, they just want to keep spreading that love.”
Spreading the love is easier when you have people like Roberts, Spivey, and Gore working in a place that is as authentic and as steeped in tradition as RCA Records.
As Spivey puts it, “What’s better than RCA Records?”
For more information on Label 22, log on to
https://label22records.com/