Clement studio suffers fire

Total damage has yet to be assessed, but "obviously the losses due to fire, smoke, and water are extensive and, for the most part, irreplaceable," Clement's web site said.

"No humans, felines, or guitars were hurt thanks to the fortuitous presence of Aleene Jackson's son Kevin who smelled the smoke and roused Cowboy from his afternoon nap, and due to the heroics of the Nashville firemen who, directed by engineer/bass player David Ferguson, went into the blazing building to retrieve instruments and memorabilia," the site said.

Clement, 80, a singer, songwriter and producer, lives with Jackson.

"I got my baby," he was quoted by The Tennessean, referring to a Gibson J200 guitar he bought in 1951 while still in the Marines. Elvis Presley's belt buckle scratched the guitar.

Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Eddy Arnold and John Prine spent time at the studio, which was more than 30 years old. Clement stored reel-to-reel master tapes of recordings - many unreleased - by Cash, Prine, Armstrong and others. "I'm sure we've lost some other memorabilia," said Clement to The Tennessean.

Clement produced as at Sun Records for Jerry Lee Lewis' Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and recording sessions with Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Charlie Rich.

Clement also aided the careers of Charley Pride and George Jones. He produced three tracks for U2's "Rattle and Hum" sessions in Memphis and also helmed recording for an album by Louis Armstrong.