Biography

Music industry executive. Born February 12, 1911. April 22, 1968. Full name: Stephen Henry Sholes. Important as one of the small number of producers who built Nashville as a music center. Began career at RCA in 1929. Became head of RCA’s country and r&b recording in 1945. His country artists’ roster included Chet Atkins, Eddy Arnold, and Jim Reeves. He is responsible for signing Elvis Presley to RCA in 1955. In 1957 he appointment Chet Atkins to run RCA’s Nashville operation. In 1963 became RCA’s vice president for pop A&R. Member, Country Music Hall of Fame®.

Interview Summary

1968 February 8
(32 minutes)
Music industry executive Steve Sholes talks about the development of Nashville as a music center. Discussion includes an overview of his career in country music; the start of his involvement with country music; his work with numerous RCA artists, including Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, and Hank Snow; the growth of Nashville as a recording center; the role of RCA as a leader in Nashville’s recording industry; the development of the Nashville Sound; comments on factors contributing to the growth of country music and comments on the Country Music Hall of Fame® building.