About United Record Pressing

United Record Pressing, LLC (URP) began in Nashville, Tennessee in 1949, when it was known by the name Southern Plastics. One of Southern Plastics top clients was Vee Jay Records out of Chicago. It was Vee Jay that pressed the first Beatles 7"s in America, prior to Capitol signing them. In 1962, Southern Plastics relocated to the current site of United Record Pressing which is the same location that pressed those Beatles 7"s.

Southern Plastics would eventually change its name to United Record Pressing in 1971.

In addition to the numerous important records that have been pressed in this plant, United managed to create a little history on its own. When the current URP plant opened in the 1960's it was a very different time in the South, Nashville included. In the early 60's there were hardly any restaurants or hotels in Nashville that would offer their services to African Americans. With top clients like Vee Jay Records and Motown being run by people of color, the company was in need of accommodations for their clients and created what we now call the "Motown Suite", an apartment located above the factory. The Motown Suite which is still viewable to guests touring the plant, displays the same furnishings that these execs were offered including a common room with a bar, a turntable, enough seating to entertain guests, a full bathroom, a double occupancy bedroom, a kitchen equipped with an old push button stove and other novel 60's decor. URP still uses the kitchen as a meeting room, with our staff sitting at the same 60's dinette set that Motown, Vee Jay and other label executives and artists used. Another feature of historical significance is the party room, located just steps from the Motown Suite. This large room was once used as an event room and hosted record label signing parties for folks including Wayne Newton, The Cowsills and a then 16 year old Hank Williams Jr. Currently, the party room functions as a museum of Southern Plastics / United Record Pressing's historical significance along with a brief history of recorded music. The museum room still pays tribute to the party room's history by featuring some of the original furniture from its heyday.

Tours:

Tours of United Record Pressing are available for $5 per person on Tuesdays at 2PM and at 11AM on Fridays. Other times can be scheduled for large groups by emailing united@urpressing.com or calling 866.407.3165.