The AM/DM podcast: Ardent Studios goes silent as lawsuits get ugly
The exterior and parking lot of Ardent Studios in Midtown June 4, 2026. (Patrick Lantrip/The Daily Memphian)
One of Memphis' most famous music studios, Ardent Studios, is in legal and financial limbo as an ugly legal battle unfolds. The studio has closed as lawsuits between the studio’s owner, Betty Fry, and Mark Baranauskas, who also goes by the name “Mark Danger,” play out.
Ardent has hosted some of the biggest rock bands in its history, including Led Zeppelin, Bob Dylan, REM and others, including Memphis music legends Isaac Hayes and Big Star.
Reporter Jody Callahan has the story and joined Eric Barnes on today’s AM/DM to talk about what is happening.
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AM/DMEric Barnes
Eric Barnes is CEO of The Daily Memphian, host of Behind the Headlines on WKNO-TV, host of The Sidebar on WYXR 91.7, and the author of four novels.
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