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Grand Ole Opry

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What began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 is today a live entertainment phenomenon. Dedicated to honoring country music’s rich history and dynamic present, the Grand Ole Opry showcases a mix of country legends and the contemporary chart-toppers who have followed in their footsteps. The Opry, an American icon and Nashville, Tennessee’s number-one attraction, is world-famous for creating one-of-a-kind entertainment experiences for audiences of all ages.

It’s been called the “home of American music” and “country’s most famous stage.” Every year, hundreds of thousands of people make pilgrimages across town or around the world to the Grand Ole Opry to see the show live. Millions more tune in to Opry broadcasts via a mobile app, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Nashville’s 650 AM WSM, and on opry.com and wsmonline.com.

From Philadelphia to Fiji, everyone knows the Grand Ole Opry is the show that made country music famous. How it earned that reputation is quite a tale.

It began on the night of Nov. 28, 1925, when an announcer on Nashville radio station WSM introduced fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson as the first performer on a new show called “The WSM Barn Dance.” Now, almost 90 years later, the show Hay started is still going strong. Along the way, it has launched countless country music careers and led the way for Nashville to become Music City.

Early Opry performers such as Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Ernest Tubb, and Bill Monroe became musical foundations for the Opry during its years in residence at the historic Ryman Auditorium, later welcoming to the stage artists who would become entertainment icons in their own right including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, and Bill Anderson.

The Opry said goodbye to the Ryman Auditorium on Friday night, March 15, 1974 to take up residence at the newly built Grand Ole Opry House. The next night, President Richard Nixon joined Roy Acuff on stage at the Grand Ole Opry House. Still, they could keep in touch with the traditions of the Ryman because an six-foot circle of hardwood was taken from the Ryman and placed center stage at the Opry House.

Today the magic continues. Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Vince Gill, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, Ricky Skaggs, Marty Stuart, Mel Tillis, and Carrie Underwood are among the stars who are part of the Opry family. Thousands of people make pilgrimages every year to see and hear them, while others tune in from around the world.

Contact Jessie Schmidt for inquiries about the Grand Ole Opry.

  • jessie@schmidtpr.com

Latest Press Releases

  • Luke Bryan Has Memorable Night at the Grand Ole Opry

    October 22, 2019
  • October 12, 2019
  • Grand Ole Opry to Celebrate 30th Anniversary of Country Cares for St Jude Kids

    September 10, 2019
  • Grand Ole Opry House to Host Exclusive Dolly Parton Exhibit

    August 20, 2019
  • Luke Combs Invited to Join The Grand Ole Opry

    July 11, 2019
  • Grand Ole Opry Premieres New Backstage Tour including Immersive Film in Custom-Built Theater, The Circle Room

    July 9, 2019
  • Opry and Terri Clark “Raising The Bar” with Vinyl Release, Opry Birthday Bash Concert

    June 18, 2019
  • Opry Adds Free Opry Plaza Party June 4

    May 23, 2019
  • Grand Ole Opry, WSMOnline.com to Salute Randy Travis

    April 25, 2019
  • Kelsea Ballerini Becomes Newest Member of Grand Ole Opry

    April 16, 2019

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