Blackbird Studio wins Studio of the Year

Blackbird Studio was named Studio of the Year at the 38th annual MusicRow Awards on Sept. 2, according to MusicRow’s live winners list. The win gives the Nashville recording complex the award for a second straight year after the trade publication also listed Blackbird as the 2024 winner when the category appeared in its awards coverage. MusicRow said the 2026 awards were revealed across its online platforms, including X, Facebook and Instagram, with City National Bank as presenting sponsor. The publication describes the MusicRow Awards as Nashville’s longest-running music industry trade publication honors, and said winners are voted on by MusicRow subscribers. ### Which award did Blackbird win, and when was it announced? (musicrow.com) MusicRow’s Sept. 2 winners post listed Blackbird Studio as the winner of Studio of the Year. The same post identified the awards as the 38th annual MusicRow Awards. The category was part of a 16-category subscriber-voted ballot that MusicRow announced on Aug. 4. MusicRow said at that time that winners would be revealed on Wednesday, Sept. 2, on its online platforms. (musicrow.com) ### Was this really a second consecutive win? MusicRow’s 2024 winners page listed Blackbird Studio as the Studio of the Year winner in that year’s awards coverage. (musicrow.com) MusicRow’s Sept. 2, 2026 winners page again lists Blackbird in the same category, supporting the characterization that the studio repeated as winner in consecutive award cycles covered by the outlet. (musicrow.com) The 2026 field in the category included Ocean Way Nashville, Studio RCA, Sound Emporium Studios, Sound Stage Studios and Starstruck Studios, according to MusicRow’s winners page. Blackbird was the name marked as winner. ### What is Blackbird Studio? Blackbird Studio says it was founded in 2002 by sound engineer John McBride and singer Martina McBride. (musicrow.com) The company says its Berry Hill campus in Nashville covers nearly a city block and includes nine recording studios, Blackbird Academy, Blackbird Audio Rentals and the Inside Blackbird online learning platform. Blackbird says John McBride is its chief executive officer and describes the complex as a destination for artists including Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, John Mayer, Miley Cyrus and Keith Urban. (musicrow.com) The studio’s website says it offers tracking, overdubs, mixing, Atmos, voice-over, remote production and film-location services. ### How are the MusicRow Awards decided? MusicRow said the 2026 nominees were announced on Aug. 4 and that subscribers received ballots by email on Aug. 5. (blackbirdstudio.com) The publication said voting ran through Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. and that all nominations were based on projects active between June 1, 2025 and May 31, 2026. MusicRow also said the awards cover producers, studios, labels, talent agencies, publishers, songwriters and artists. (blackbirdstudio.com) The Studio of the Year category sat alongside awards such as Producer of the Year, Label Group of the Year and Entertainer of the Year. ### Where can readers find the result next? MusicRow’s Sept. 2 winners page remains the primary public record of the result and says the magazine is revealing winners on its website and social platforms. (musicrow.com) Blackbird’s own website continues to list booking information for its Nashville facilities and identifies John McBride as CEO. Blackbird said sessions can be booked through its online form or by phone, and MusicRow’s awards post remains live as additional readers and industry subscribers review the full 2026 winners list. (musicrow.com) (blackbirdstudio.com) (musicrow.com)