March 25, 2023
Mar 25, 2023
Our founder and CEO, Gar Ragland, spoke candidly about his vision for Citizen Vinyl and introducing the art of record manufacturing to the cultural hub of Asheville in this feature for American Songwriter. You can read the full article here, or check out highlights down below.
“Hidden in the hills of North Carolina lies the city of Asheville – a cultural hub of bountiful delights. Thriving from a recent uptick in tourism, the town is bustling with independent artists and venues. A rich history seeps through the music scene, closely tied to the Appalachian traditions on which the city was raised.
In the heart of the downtown district is a grand, three-story art moderne building that previously served both the Asheville Citizen and Asheville Times newspapers and WWNC. The radio station, ‘Wonderful Western North Carolina,’ began in 1927, welcoming the ‘Father of Country Music,’ Jimmie Rodgers, on stage that same year. Over the next decade, regional music traditions spread down with their purveyors as they fled Appalachia in masses, seeking work in larger cities. Bill Monroe made his debut on the third floor of the building in 1939, introducing the world to a new sound he popularized as ‘Bluegrass.’
CEO and music industry veteran, Gar Ragland, announced the revitalization of this iconic space this month, unveiling its new identity: Citizen Vinyl. The historic site will serve as a boutique vinyl pressing plant, record store, and locally-focused bar and cafe.”
Citizen Studios is a professional recording studio, and the creative hub of Citizen Vinyl. It is located in the historic WWNC radio station studio in the Citizen Times building in downtown Asheville. A timeless space for classic and modern sounds, the historic studio space (built in 1939) consists of Studio A – a… View Article
Citizen Vinyl was recently featured on a CNN segment. We’re thrilled to share our thoughtfully curated space with a wider community. Watch Citizen Vinyl on CNN “Citizen Vinyl is a celebration of music and community,” says founder Gar Ragland. The feature also shares the inspiration… View Article
Take a tour of the Citizen Vinyl record pressing facility and historic building Want to learn more about Citizen Vinyl — from the history of the iconic Citizen Times building to the legendary musicians who performed at radio station WWNC on the building’s third floor?… View Article