No station in Nashville, no problem: Audacy opens Music City Studio

Audacy is embracing the country music explosion with a new Nashville Sound Space at the Hard Rock Cafe on Broadway. The broadcast studio and event space will be the new home for the nationally televised country music show. Katie and Co..

Although Audacy does not own its own stations in the Nashville market, the company has a portfolio of 20 owned and operated country brands. In addition to presenting Katie and Co.which can be heard on 37 Audacy-owned and partner stations, the facility is designed for a variety of productions, including interviews, photography and private performances.

The studio will officially open on Thursday, September 5. The sound space expands Audacy’s partnership with Hard Rock International, which began in 2021 and includes venues in New York and Miami.

Jeff Sottolano, Audacy’s Chief Programming Officer, said, “A permanent presence in Music City underscores Audacy’s commitment to country music and live events. The proximity of a professional studio, coupled with an intimate venue and Katie Neal’s unique talent as a host and interviewer, allows us to create exclusive experiences for listeners while providing a seamless transition for artists between studio and stage. The Audacy Nashville Sound Space will be the centerpiece of our country music format.”

Keith Sheldon, President of Entertainment and Brand Management at Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, also commented on the partnership: “Hard Rock’s partnership with Audacy has provided a truly incredible platform for world-class artists to grace Hard Rock stages across the country, and we are thrilled to open the Audacy Nashville Sound Space in Nashville to expand our reach. This opportunity also underscores Hard Rock’s ongoing commitment to building and strengthening relationships in the country music community as we expand our entertainment offerings across all of our properties worldwide.”