1964 – The story of Sound Emporium begins here when Jack Clement moves to Nashville.  "Cowboy Jack" already had huge success at Sun Records in Memphis producing artists like Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and Charlie Rich.  In Nashville, Jack continued his production and publishing work under his company Jack Music.

1969 – Desiring a place to call his own, Jack builds Jack Clement Recording Studios (JCRS).  The studio, later named Sound Emporium, would be the first of its kind in Nashville.  The log books of JCRS show the very first week of sessions, including the November 6, 1969 booking by Canadian country artists Ian & Sylvia and Todd Rundgren.

1970 – Upon the completion of Studio A, Clement begins work to convert the house next door to a second studio.  This would become Studio B.

1971 – Garth Fundis is hired as an intern.  Within a few years, he would become a house engineer for JCRS.

1972 – Billboard Magazine publishes a tribute to Jack Clement and his contribution to the music industry.  View the entire article here in PDF form.  Of particular interest are pictures of the original designs of studios A and B.

1975 – Jack and Garth turn their energies toward setting up Jack's Tracks, another of Jack's studios in Nashville.  Garth spends three years there as an engineer and producer.

1979 – JCRS is sold and the name is changed to Sound Emporium.  Garth Fundis returns to the studio as an independent.

1980’s – Sound Emporium experiences incredible success.  Within the walls of Studio B, owner Larry Butler produces acts like Kenny Rogers, Dotty West, Johnny Cash, Don McClean, John Denver, and B.J. Thomas.  Garth Fundis becomes known for his work with Don Williams, Keith Whitley, and New Grass Revival.  The studio is also graced with artists like REM and Alan Jackson among others.

1992 – Garth Fundis purchases Sound Emporium and renovations are made.  The "A" and "B" buildings are joined together.  A lobby and offices are added to the front of the building and Studio B is completely redesigned and rewired.  During the 8 months of construction, Studio A remained “online” and was virtually untouched in the renovation.

1993 to 1995 – Garth accepts a position as VP of A&R at RCA Records.


1995 to 1998 – Garth leaves RCA and takes a similar position at Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss' label Almo Sounds.

1998 to present – Garth goes independent once again and continues his work at Sound Emporium with artists like John Michael Montgomery, Trisha Yearwood, Buddy Jewell, and Sugarland.  Film soundtracks such as O'Brother Where Art Thou, Cold Mountain, and Walk the Line are recorded in Studio A under the guidance of Grammy winning producer T Bone Burnett.