Don Was

Don Was, born Don Fagenson on September 13, 1952, in Detroit, Michigan, is an American bassist, record producer, songwriter, and record executive. Although not originally from Nashville, his work with Nashville artists and his influence on the city's recording industry have made him a familiar presence in its musical community. He works across rock, jazz, blues, and country, and his production credits span several decades and dozens of major-label releases.

History

Don Was grew up in Detroit and began his musical life there. He first gained wider attention as a bassist and founding member of Was (Not Was), the funk-rock group he formed with childhood friend David Weiss in 1981. The band achieved commercial success with songs including "Walk the Dinosaur" and "Spy in the House of Love," establishing Was as a credible figure in the music industry. That early work gave him a practical grounding in arrangement, performance, and the mechanics of record production.

Moving into production felt like a natural next step. He understood music from a performer's perspective, which gave him a real edge. Starting in the late 1980s and into the 1990s, he began producing albums for other artists and quickly built a reputation for capturing authentic performances without sacrificing commercial appeal. His most celebrated production work from that period includes Bonnie Raitt's Nick of Time (1989) and Luck of the Draw (1991), Bob Dylan's Under the Red Sky (1990), and records with Willie Nelson, The Rolling Stones, and Queen Latifah. Nick of Time won the Grammy Award for Album of the Year in 1990, marking a turning point in both Raitt's career and Was's standing as a top-tier producer.

Was has served as President of Blue Note Records since 2012, overseeing one of the most storied jazz labels in American music history. Under his tenure the label has continued to release albums by both established jazz musicians and artists working at the intersection of jazz and other genres. His reach across rock, soul, country, and jazz makes him an unusual figure in the executive world, one whose background as a working musician shapes how he approaches the business side of the industry.

In early 2026, Was released his debut album under his own name, Groove in the Face of Adversity, recorded with The Pan-Detroit Ensemble. The record draws on the soul, jazz, and funk sounds of his Detroit upbringing and features a rotating cast of musicians from the city. It's his first full-length release as a bandleader and represents a return to his roots as a performer after decades spent primarily behind the mixing board.

Nashville Connections

Nashville's music culture is rooted in tradition, yet it's constantly evolving. Don Was represents this balance in practice, bringing a background shaped by Detroit soul, rock production, and jazz label work into contact with Nashville's established genres. He respects country music history but also brings in elements from other styles, an approach that has resonated with both established and emerging artists in the city.

His work with Nashville-based artists shows the depth of that connection. Productions with Vince Gill and Alison Krauss put him squarely inside the city's musical community, not as an outsider influence but as a collaborator willing to serve the music on its own terms. Those partnerships benefit the artists involved and also reflect Nashville's longstanding openness to producers who come from outside the country tradition. The city's strength has always depended partly on that kind of cross-pollination.

Beyond the studio, Was has been part of broader conversations about the music industry's direction and the need to support working artists. His role at Blue Note Records brings a jazz perspective into dialogue with Nashville's country and Americana communities. That kind of institutional presence, rooted in one of the great American music cities but connected to another through decades of production work, is exactly what keeps Nashville's industry ecosystem dynamic.

Economic Impact

The music industry drives a significant portion of Nashville's economy, generating revenue through record production, live performance, tourism, and a wide network of related businesses. Don Was contributes to this through his production work and his role as a record executive. His productions have generated substantial revenue for record labels and artists over the course of his career, while his leadership at Blue Note Records supports a broad network of musicians, engineers, and industry professionals.

Prominent producers and executives like Was also strengthen Nashville's reputation as a music city worth taking seriously. That reputation pulls in outside investment and draws visitors who come specifically because of the city's musical identity. The economic reach of the music industry extends well beyond record sales into real estate, hospitality, retail, and tourism infrastructure. For Nashville to keep growing as a music center, it needs figures who connect its local industry to national and international networks, which is precisely what a career like Was's provides.

Venues and Studios

Don Was isn't a tourist attraction in the traditional sense. Still, the venues and studios connected to his work matter to music fans who visit Nashville. The Ryman Auditorium, known informally as the "Mother Church of Country Music," and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are major landmarks that draw visitors from across the country and around the world. These institutions celebrate Nashville's musical heritage and offer visitors a direct connection to the history Was has been part of as a producer and collaborator.

Recording studios throughout the city play a central role in Nashville's identity. Many have hosted major artists and produced widely recognized recordings. Specific studios where Was has worked may not offer public tours, but they're part of the infrastructure that makes Nashville one of the most productive recording cities in the world. Broadway's live music venues operate every night of the week, offering a ground-level view of a city that takes its musical identity seriously.

Getting There

Nashville International Airport (BNA) serves as the main entry point for visitors traveling to the city. It offers direct flights to destinations across the United States and Canada. Ground transportation from the airport is straightforward, with taxis, ride-sharing services, and rental cars all readily available.

Driving to Nashville is also practical. Interstate 65, I-24, and I-40 all connect to the city from multiple directions. Roads are generally well-maintained, and parking is available throughout the downtown area. Public transportation within the city includes bus service and a limited commuter rail line. This accessibility helps explain Nashville's growth as both a tourism destination and a working hub for the music industry.

See Also

• Music Row
• Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
• Ryman Auditorium
• Blue Note Records
• Was (Not Was)