Great music and ‘the presence of ghosts’ – our rock critic takes a new direct flight from Dublin to Nashville

Aer Lingus has a new direct flight from Dublin Airport to Music City. From The Grand Ole Opry to the honky tonk bars of Broadway, a US immersion awaits…

John outside Dolly Parton's studio compound in Nashville

John Meagher

You feel the presence of ghosts at RCA Studio B. It is a legendary recording facility in the aptly named Music Row district of Nashville, and many of the greats recorded here.

Roy Orbison and the Everly Brothers cut some of their most celebrated songs in this atmospheric studio and, in a moment our wonderful tour guide evokes by shutting off the lights, it was here on April 4, 1960, that Elvis Presley and his band, the Jordanaires, recorded the spellbinding Are You Lonesome Tonight? in the pitch dark.