From Mobsters to Music Icons; If Only These Tennessee Castle Walls Could Talk

Tennessee, especially around the Nashville area is home to hundreds of recording studios. The birthplaces of iconic songs and where the biggest country music stars in the world create magic.

One recording studio in particular has quite the interesting past and not just because of the music made there and the hitmakers of all musical genres who have walked the halls. It was originally built by the infamous mobsters of the 1920s and 30s.

On Old Hillsboro Road in Franklin, TN, one of Al Capone's known associates and bookie, John P. Welch decided that the secluded area was perfect as a halfway hideaway point for mobsters making their way south to party cities like New Orleans or Miami. Stones for the grand estate were crafter from rock in the ground on the property.

The basement was made a into a speak easy for dancing, drinking, and illegal gambling until it was raided by the Sheriff's department.  It was then turned into a fabulous restaurant graced by stars of the time like Bob Hope, Betty Grable, and Spencer Tracy. Local lore claims the sordid shenanigans continued in the basement.

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When the restaurant closed, the property was owned privately until sold to a bluegrass band and family from Belgium, the Nuyens, who turned the castle into a recording studio in 1983. According to a story by Franklin Lifestyle, owner Jozef Nuyens said, "We’ve welcomed the greatest of each genre—Lionel Richie to Whitney Houston to Neil Diamond to Metallica, and everything in between."

As well as pretty much all of your favorite country music artists like, Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Faith Hill, Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus.

Keeping with the history of hospitality, The Franklin Castle is also currently a wedding and event venue. It's such a beautiful property.  Here is a video showing what it looks like on the inside and some pictures from days gone by.