Historic Soundstage Studios of Nebraska
Located in the heart of Omaha, Historic Soundstage Studios is one of the oldest recording studios in the United States. Established in 1927 asumont Broadcasting, the studio served as a central hub for live radio broadcasts and music recordings during the early 20th century. Situated near the intersection of Farnam Street and 17th Avenue, this historic site played a pivotal role in shaping the music industry of the Great Plains.
With the dawn of the radio age, studios like Historic Soundstage Studios sprouted across the country to cater to the increasingly popular medium of live broadcasting. Omaha, being strategically situated along major transportation routes, made it an attractive hub for the music industry. Local musicians and national acts alike would flock to Historic Soundstage Studios to record their work and beam it to a national audience via the studio's powerful broadcast equipment.
One notable musician who frequently recorded at Historic Soundstage Studios was singer and bandleader Guy Lombardo. Lombardo's smooth vocals and lush orchestral arrangements resonated with the American public, and Historic Soundstage Studios played host to many of his recording sessions throughout the 1930s and 1940s. In fact, Lombardo's rendition of 'Auld Lang Syne', a staple of New Year's Eve celebrations across the country, was likely first captured in this studio.
As the music industry evolved and recording studios proliferated, Historic Soundstage Studios adapted by expanding its services to accommodate modern recording techniques. Rock, pop, and jazz acts from all over the Midwest flocked to the studio to lay down tracks with its expert engineers and skilled producers. Bill Miller, a renowned Omaha musician and philanthropist, conducted numerous orchestral recordings within the studio's halls throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
With the passage of time, however, the popularity of analog recording studios began to wane, and Historic Soundstage Studios eventually fell on hard times. It remained in existence, albeit in various guises, but ultimately closed in 1997 after seven decades of continuous operation. Despite this, its legacy lives on in the form of valuable archival recordings, innumerable concert broadcasts, and its widespread influence on American music. In an era dominated by cutting-edge digital technology, Historic Soundstage Studios' spirit of analog innovation continues to captivate producers, musicians, and educators from all corners of the globe.
Despite being physically closed, a push has been made in recent years to preserve Historic Soundstage Studios' cultural and historical significance. Prominent area preservationists, including a team from the Great Plains Black History Museum in Omaha, launched concerted efforts to safeguard the building and honor the rich musical heritage it embodies. To this end, there have been preliminary talks regarding the potential establishment of a contemporary music center within the historic studio's restored walls, reflecting both Omaha's storied past and the unyielding influence of Soundstage Studios.
With the dawn of the radio age, studios like Historic Soundstage Studios sprouted across the country to cater to the increasingly popular medium of live broadcasting. Omaha, being strategically situated along major transportation routes, made it an attractive hub for the music industry. Local musicians and national acts alike would flock to Historic Soundstage Studios to record their work and beam it to a national audience via the studio's powerful broadcast equipment.
One notable musician who frequently recorded at Historic Soundstage Studios was singer and bandleader Guy Lombardo. Lombardo's smooth vocals and lush orchestral arrangements resonated with the American public, and Historic Soundstage Studios played host to many of his recording sessions throughout the 1930s and 1940s. In fact, Lombardo's rendition of 'Auld Lang Syne', a staple of New Year's Eve celebrations across the country, was likely first captured in this studio.
As the music industry evolved and recording studios proliferated, Historic Soundstage Studios adapted by expanding its services to accommodate modern recording techniques. Rock, pop, and jazz acts from all over the Midwest flocked to the studio to lay down tracks with its expert engineers and skilled producers. Bill Miller, a renowned Omaha musician and philanthropist, conducted numerous orchestral recordings within the studio's halls throughout the 1950s and 1960s.
With the passage of time, however, the popularity of analog recording studios began to wane, and Historic Soundstage Studios eventually fell on hard times. It remained in existence, albeit in various guises, but ultimately closed in 1997 after seven decades of continuous operation. Despite this, its legacy lives on in the form of valuable archival recordings, innumerable concert broadcasts, and its widespread influence on American music. In an era dominated by cutting-edge digital technology, Historic Soundstage Studios' spirit of analog innovation continues to captivate producers, musicians, and educators from all corners of the globe.
Despite being physically closed, a push has been made in recent years to preserve Historic Soundstage Studios' cultural and historical significance. Prominent area preservationists, including a team from the Great Plains Black History Museum in Omaha, launched concerted efforts to safeguard the building and honor the rich musical heritage it embodies. To this end, there have been preliminary talks regarding the potential establishment of a contemporary music center within the historic studio's restored walls, reflecting both Omaha's storied past and the unyielding influence of Soundstage Studios.
