Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba Original Recordings Destroyed in UMG Fire of 2008

Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba Original Records Destroyed in UMG Fire of 2008

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The fire that swept across the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood on Sunday, June 1, 2008 destroyed over 100,000 masters and an estimated 500K song titles, including works by such historical figures as Billie Holiday, Chuck Berry and even Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

According to the New York Times, the list of original recordings destroyed and lost in the fire at a vault facility on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood, where UMG stored original masters and other recordings dated from the 1940s up to the 2000s.

The list of artists original works effected is extensive and includes many country artists like Dolly Parton, Barbara Mandrell, Merle Haggard, The Oak Ridge Boys, John Anderson, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Loretta Lynn, Opry legend Bill Anderson, The Carter Family, Toby Keith, Tanya Tucker, Sheryl Crow and hundreds more.

Crow tweeted upon hearing the news, "Oh my Lord...this makes me sick to my stomach. Why???? ...and shame on those involved in the coverup. Massive fire at UMG 11 years ago, and we’re just hearing about this now??”

-Nancy Brooks

Barbara Mandrell Dolly Parton George Strait John Anderson Loretta Lynn Merle Haggard Opry legend Bill Anderson Reba McEntire Sheryl Crow Tanya Tucker The Carter Family The Oak Ridge Boys Toby Keith

Nancy Brooks // Country Writer, Beasley Media GroupEditor

Nancy Brooks has been working in the country music industry for almost 30 years. She has interviewed pretty much any country star you can think of. In the late 1990s, she started working with Dolly Parton. And yes, Nancy reports that Parton is as sweet as you would think. She loves her life in country music and has been backstage at every CMA Awards show since the late 1990s. Many of her stories are from her one-on-one interviews. She was there at the beginning of the incredible careers of many music superstars today, including Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, and Blake Shelton, and has interviewed them multiple times throughout the years.