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Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium

Optional Night in Nashville

A living, breathing slice of Nashville history is in store on Saturday, November 10, 2007. APH has reserved a block of tickets for the 6:30 p.m. Grand Ole Opry performance at its original home—the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville.

The Grand Ole Opry started in 1925 as a live radio show known as the WSM Barn Dance. The broadcast spotlighted local bluegrass, country, gospel, and comedic performers and rapidly drew a loyal, expansive audience. National Life and Accident Insurance started the WSM station to advertise its products, with call letters that stood for the company logo “We Shield Millions.” And serve millions they did as the popularity of the Barn Dance grew and earned the new title of the Grand Ole Opry. WSM built an enormous broadcast tower south of town, enabling it to broadcast to most of the U.S. and into parts of Canada. (South of Nashville on I-65, you might notice the tower off to your left just before the Concord Road exit.)

In 1943, after many moves around Nashville venues, the Opry found its comfortable home at the Ryman Auditorium, a tabernacle built by shipping magnate Thomas Ryman in the late 1800s as a home for a traveling evangelist, Reverend Sam Jones. Ryman had been especially moved by one of Jones’ sermons and apparently became a devout follower. The Ryman Auditorium has been hailed as second only to the Mormon Tabernacle for its acoustics. Musical artists have long reveled in the history and intimacy of the Ryman and have great reverence for the artists who adorned its stage. It stands to reason that it is known as the Mother Church of Country Music.

In 1974, the Grand Ole Opry moved into its own facility on the grounds of Opryland USA east of Nashville. The Ryman had fallen into disrepair and sat unused for nearly twenty years. There even was talk of tearing it down. Fortunately, the historic venue was restored and reopened in 1994.

Each year, the Opry comes back to the Ryman for a series of shows, and artists clamor to participate. Every Opry performance is a careful balance of young and seasoned performers, traditional and progressive music, laughter and tears, sequins and denim. And all are bound by their love for the music of the people. It is not just a show for those who love “country” music. A performance of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman is truly an inspirational experience, demonstrating the intimate, connecting power of music among performers and audience alike. We personal historians know that same power through preserving stories. Come witness our lyrically gifted, storytelling cousins in their element during an evening with the Opry at the Ryman.

To participate in this optional planned evening, select the number of Opry tickets you wish to purchase as part of your conference registration at a special APH rate of $35 each. Transportation via charter bus to and from the Ryman Auditorium is also available for $15 round trip and likewise noted on the registration form. Buses will begin a staggered departure from the hotel to the Ryman at 5:00 p.m. through 6:00 p.m. and leave from the Ryman starting at 8:30 p.m. through the final departure at 9:15 p.m. to return to the hotel.

OR… simply reserve a seat on the bus and spend a delightful evening exploring downtown Nashville as you choose. The Ryman borders the honky-tonk district and is four blocks from shops and bars on 2nd Avenue such as The Wildhorse Saloon, where line-dancing lessons are given every evening. You might even get a chance to pop into nearby Hatch Show Print to peruse show posters from a century of events around Nashville and the world. No matter where you go in downtown Nashville on Saturday evening, you’ll hear lots of great live music, see colorful sights, and experience some great people-watching.

*Please don’t delay. Make your reservation no later than October 1, 2007 as seats are limited and will go quickly. Tickets will be distributed at the conference.

For more information:
http://www.opry.com/
http://www.ryman.com/
http://www.wildhorsesaloon.com/
http://www.tootsies.net/
http://www.legendscorner.com/
http://www.thesecondfiddle.com/
http://www.countrymusichalloffame.com/site/experience-hatch.aspx