Vinyl Thrives in Nashville as Nation’s Oldest Record Maker Surges

In the six decades since United Record Pressing put out the Beatles’ first U.S. single, the Nashville institution has withstood a plethora of new music formats, from 8-tracks and cassettes to CDs, Napster, iPods, and now streaming services.

Today, the country’s oldest vinyl record manufacturer is experiencing an unexpected resurgence, retrofitting its equipment to meet the surging demand for classic vinyl.

Once primarily focused on jukebox hits, United Record Pressing has transformed under the leadership of CEO Mark Michaels, who bought the company in 2007 when vinyl was fading into obscurity.

At the time, its 38 employees mainly produced singles for rap artists, often promotional tracks for clubs.

Rich Legacy

Michaels focused on stabilizing the business—but never anticipated the booming revival that was to come.

The company also carries a rich legacy as the first record pressing plant in the South, including a historic apartment that once housed Black artists and music executives during segregation.

Michaels said: “You walk into this building and feel 50, 60 years of history. You get choked up; it’s just so important.”

Now, United Record Pressing operates a state-of-the-art facility six times the size of the original, employing around 125 staff who produce up to 80,000 records daily.

The resurgence of vinyl is fueled by a range of factors, from independent artists’ insistence on physical albums to major retailers embracing the format once again.

Why is Vinyl Becoming Popular Again?

In 2023, U.S. vinyl revenues rose by 10 percent to $1.4 billion, marking the 17th consecutive year of growth, according to the Recording Industry Association of America.

Vinyl now accounts for 71 percent of revenues from nondigital music formats, and for the second time since 1987, vinyl sales have outpaced CDs.

Founded in 1949 as part of Nashville’s Bullet Records, the original pressing plant transitioned to Southern Plastics Inc. in the 1950s, focusing on 7-inch singles for jukeboxes.

By the early 1960s, it was producing over a million records each month and even signed a contract with Motown, eventually pressing The Beatles’ first U.S. single, “Please Please Me.”

However, as the music industry shifted in the 1980s and 1990s, records became a niche market, supplanted by CDs.

Can Retro and Modern Technology Co-Exist?

The tide turned again in the late 2000s when indie artists began insisting on vinyl releases.

By 2015, the format regained widespread popularity, but manufacturers were struggling with outdated presses from previous decades.

The pandemic reignited demand, propelling the revival further.

“Vinyl is art,” Michaels said. “Artists and fans crave something tangible. Streaming is convenient, but it’s essentially sonic wallpaper.”

At the factory, a blend of retro and modern technologies coexist. The workspace is filled with vintage audio equipment used to test master versions of records alongside sleek new machines that produce records more quietly and efficiently.

Recycled materials are also repurposed into new records, showcasing a commitment to sustainability.

This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.