Nashville – a city always humming – home of Grand Ole Opry, teeming with live music venues, ranging from honky-tonks and bars to concert halls and arenas; a place where music lovers can enjoy a wide variety of genres, including country, rock, blues, and jazz.

And a place where horizons are always expanding and the sky is the limit.

“Music City” has always been known for its rich musical heritage, thriving arts scene, and southern hospitality, but thanks to its investment in infrastructure and pre-existing entertainment culture, Nashville has become the perfect place for celebrities looking for a lower cost of living and slower-paced lifestyle.

“We have had a lot of celebrities move to Nashville over the past four years.” says the Tennessee film commissioner Bob Raines. “Our city has always had a strong sense of community and support for local businesses – the COVID-19 Pandemic really accelerated those trends. Suddenly, we had a lot of people from the entertainment industry moving to our city, and adding to the creative community we already have.”

It’s clear why celebrities like Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have made Nashville their permanent home. Compared to cities like Los Angeles and New York, Nashville offers more affordable housing, lower taxes, and a lower overall cost of living. This makes it an attractive option for those who want to invest in real estate or start their own businesses without breaking the bank.

“Nashville has always had a strong country music scene.” The commissioner continued. “And we have a ton of infrastructure to support that industry here already.”

It’s true – Nashville is the traditional hub of the country music scene. Country music stars like Tim McGraw, Reba McIntyre, Faith Hill, and Taylor Swift have long had roots in Nashville. Recording studios are common here, as is infrastructure to support the CMAs, which broadcast from Nashville every year.

However, with the upswing of celebs fleeing the costs, another aspect of the entertainment industry has been growing in recent years – film and television production. Not only are actors and directors making Nashville their home – but many below-the-line staff and producers are moving to the city as well.

Skyways Studios is there to meet the demand.

Skyway is a Hollywood quality studio, tucked away on the outskirts of Music City – and thanks to Nashville’s central location between the coasts, business is booming.

Bill Lafontaine, CMO of Skyway Studios, says that Skyway has become something of a stopover between Los Angeles and New York. “It’s the perfect middle ground.” He says, beaming. “There are a lot of celebrities – musicians, rappers, actors – who are east coast based. They don’t want to fly all the way to Los Angeles for a shoot, especially when it’s for a music video or commercial – those shoots last only a day or two. So instead, they ask to shoot here. We are only fifteen minutes from two different airports. Logistically, it’s really easy to get in and out of here.”

And it is. The sixteen acre campus is positioned between two airports. The International Airport, and a smaller, private airport, perfect for flying a private jet in and out without anyone noticing.

“It’s the convenience factor.” Lafontaine continues. “Celebrities like that Nashville is a central location, and that we still have the set up and amenities to make whatever they are shooting look great.”

Recently, Skyway played host to a Superbowl commercial production for Bud Light. The commercial, which aired during the 2024 Super Bowl, was shot entirely at Skyway Studios.

“It was easy. We are one of only two facilities in Nashville which could have accommodated what was needed for that shoot – the space, the level of technology needed – and we are so centrally located and easy to get to, it was a no brainer.”

The American Film Institute also made use of Skyway Studios, shooting the entirety of Nicole Kidman’s segment for her Lifetime Achievement award on site.

“Her new film, Holland Michigan, was using our facilities as a base-camp.” Lafontaine explained. “It was so much easier for them to come here. She lives here, she was already working at our facilities. Using our studio space provided an elegant solution.”

And Skyway Studios is really the only game in town when it comes to Hollywood level studio facilities in the state. They are located just outside of Nashville. Their closest competitor? Nearly an hour away.

“We are close to everything, and that gives us the edge.” Lafontaine says. “Skyway is the largest studio of its size in Nashville. Restaurants, five-star accommodations for cast – we are incredibly close to the Four Seasons; all of it is just a fifteen minute drive away.”

Not only is Skyway conveniently located and have access to multiple airports, but the studio has been outfitted with the latest technology to compete with its counterparts in more traditional entertainment hubs like Los Angeles and New York.

The lot was originally a drive-in movie theater. Then it was a Sam’s Club, and then it served as a studio base for a variety of production entities.

“That was in the mid-90s.” Says Tom Gregory, senior sales representative for Skyway. “Since then, Julie, our owner, has updated nearly every inch of this place. We want to make sure that we are offering the highest quality production services to the productions that choose to film here.”

Since the 90s, Skyway Studios has expanded rapidly, updating their facilities to ensure their competitive edge, and that investment has paid off.

Not only has the studio played host to Superbowl commercials, but the award-winning morning show, Pickler & Ben, used the studio, shooting over 300 episodes in front of a live studio audience of over two hundred people.

“That’s something which is very unique about our set up, here.” Lafontaine says. “We have a combination A&B studio which can accommodate a huge live audience. Our lighting grid can support up to 800 fixtures, and we have plenty of power for a multicam shoot. Variety shows, cooking shows, game shows, sitcoms – we have the space and the facilities to make something really special.”

The studio has also made a commitment to sustainability. Skyway prides itself on being eco-friendly and uses energy-efficient equipment and practices whenever possible. This dedication to sustainability not only helps reduce the studio’s carbon footprint but also serves as an inspiration for others in the industry to do the same.

Not only does Skyway boast incredible studio space, and utilize green technology where possible, but it offers an in-house control room, front of the house PA systems, wireless headsets, nine private dressing rooms with private bathrooms for talent, multiple green rooms and a commercial prep kitchen.

Plus, the Skyway Studios staff is always on hand to smooth over any production woes.

“We offer our clients a turn-key solution.” says Lafontaine. “We are connected to every aspect of the entertainment industry here in Nashville, and we are dedicated to making each production that comes here a success.”

They really mean it. Skyway Studios has an on-site production team dedicated to solving production issues in real time.

And because of that dedication  to their clients, Skyway Studios in Nashville is more than just a production space —it’s a creative hub for artists, producers, and content creators. Its team of experienced professionals are dedicated to helping clients achieve their creative goals. From engineers to producers, the staff at Skyway Studios are there to provide guidance and support every step of the way. Whether it’s fine-tuning a mix or brainstorming ideas for a music video, the experts at Skyway Studios are there to lend their expertise and make the creative process as smooth as possible.

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, Skyway Studios is a place where creativity thrives and artists can bring their visions to life. With its top-notch facilities, experienced staff, and commitment to sustainability, Skyway Studios is truly a one-of-a-kind destination for artists and creators in Nashville.Whether you’re recording an album, shooting a music video, or live streaming a performance, Skyway Studios has everything you need to make your creative dreams a reality. So why wait? Book your session at Skyway Studios today and see where your creativity can take you.