Visiting Nashville's Grand Ole Opry
Highlights of Touring America's Home to Country and Western Music
Jul 20, 2009
A trip to Tennessee isn’t complete without a trip to Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House. Besides broadcasting contemporary shows, the Grand ‘Ole Opry was the home of the 1970s show, “Hee Haw”. Even if you’re not a country and western fan, you’ll still appreciate the rich history behind the music.
Brief History of the Grand Ole Opry House
Before touring the Grand Ole Opry House guests see a short film giving background information. The history of the Grand Ole Opry began in 1925 when the popular of radio was growing fast. George D. Hay, a former Memphis journalist, introduced his country gigs in Chicago, while visiting the son of an executive of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company. He convinced his friend's father to build a Nashville radio station by assuring him that the radio station’s letters, WSM would stand for “We Shield Millions” and would be good for advertising the insurance company. Before arriving at its present location at the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry had six different homes. In 1982 Gaylord Entertainment bought the Grand Ole Opry House and its properties for $225 million dollars, although the call letters of WSH remains.
Grand Ole Opry's Ryman Auditorium
Weekly live performances are broadcast from Ryman Auditorium from four huge screens, offering exceptional acoustics. The cushioned seats, which resemble church pews, are divided into two tiers, seating more than 4000 people. More than 200 country and western radio stations broadcast the weekly show from Ryman Auditorium.
Grand ‘Ole Opry Backstage Tours and P.O. Boxes
When the Opry House isn’t being used guests can take backstage tours. Besides visiting the personal dressing rooms of stars, visitors can also see the mail boxes of the stars. Stars induced into the Grand Ole Opry don’t need a street address for receiving their mail. All they need is their name and “Grand Ole Opry”. Tour directors at the Grand Ole Opry House enjoy pointing out the mailroom, noting the various stars and their post office boxes. All the boxes are alphabetized and when a new member joins, they get rearranged. Everyone that is, except for little Jimmie Dickens, who stands under five feet tall. Fortunately, Jimmie gets to keep his mailbox on the bottom row. Guests also learn that little Jimmie, has a special sense of humor, continually cracking jokes with his co-stars at the Grand Ole Opry House. Jimmie, now 87, was inducted into the Grad ‘Ole Opry in 1948.
Star Memorabilia at Gran Ole Opry House
Part of the thrill of visiting the Grand Ole Opry House is learning more about your favorite country and western singers. Besides the many posters on the walls, depicting concerts from the past, visitors can study the vast memorabilia housed in glass cases. The helpful volunteers at the House are more than delighted to share what they know about various stars, both contemporary and those who lived in the past. Also, paintings of stars hang on the walls such as the one of Minnie Pearl donning her famous price-tag hat. Guests learn that Minnie didn’t intentionally start wearing the price tag, but was late for a performance one day and forgot to take off her price tag from her new hat.
A Chance to be a Star in the Grand Ole Opry
Finally, visiting the Grand ‘Ole Opry gives guests a chance to be a star. Those who've ever dreamed of singing country and western music on a stage, get their opportunity to do so. However, they only have their fellow tourists and guides to evaluate any talent they may have as the auditorium seats are empty.
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