The Grand Ole Opry…… the show that made Country Music famous.
Being inducted into the Grand Ole Opry is one of the highest honors an artist in Country music can achieve. This is because of the history of the Opry and the significance it has played in shaping and establishing the genre.
Way back in 1923 a radio station titled WSM was established and hosted a show called “Barn Dance”. This show would feature Country music acts in a live setting that showcased the genre and brought it to countless more people. In 1927, the radio show officially became “The Grand Ole Opry” and continued to grow from there; furthermore, it has also become the longest running radio broadcast in the world. With the show growing in popularity, people then started going out to the station to watch the acts perform. Because of this, the Grand Ole Opry became a live stage show and found a home at the Ryman Auditorium. The Ryman Auditorium is known as the Mother Church of Country Music, and it still houses Opry shows each year to honor the history it has played in the genre. With the immense success of the show, it was decided that the Opry needed its very own auditorium to operate out of. In 1974, the Grand Ole Opry House was built and has been the home of the Opry ever since; however, in 2010, there was a major flood that caused significant damage to the Opry House. It had to shut down for five months, but the show went on! The live radio broadcast continued by utilizing other venues throughout the city until the Opry House was able to open again. When the Opry House was built, a patch of wood put in a circle was taken from the Ryman stage and inserted into the stage at the Opry House. This circle was not damaged and remains in the stage to this day proving that the circle can never be broken.
The Grand Ole Opry broadcast and live shows showcase the genre to people throughout the nation and help it gain popularity. It keeps Country music alive and carries on the genre for future generations. The show is full of rich tradition and an overall pride for the genre that is evident in each artist that performs. Country music would not be where it is today without WSM’s Grand Ole Opry.
If you ask any member of the Grand Ole Opry, they will almost always say that being inducted is one of or is the biggest honor of their life. Being a member puts them in a class of their own with all of the greats in genre that made Country music what it is today. It also means that they will always have a home. An artist will always have a place to sing and feel welcomed when they are a Grand Ole Opry member. It truly is one giant family of people who honor and respect Country Music.
The list of Opry Member is a long one, but some of the more recent inductees include Ashley McBride, Lauren Alaina, and Carly Pearce. Of course, the list features all time greats like Reba, Dolly, Ricky Skaggs, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, and of course Carrie Underwood. There has also been some controversy at the Opry when some artists were BANNED. Hank Williams was banned for missing a show and Johnny Cash was banned for being destructive on stage. Johnny Cash was actually invited to be a member once again, so he was later reinstated.
While most people go to Nashville to experience Broadway, one will really only experience Country Music at its finest if theyvisit the Grand Ole Opry….
There is something very special about that circle on the stage. I think of all the greats that have stood on that exact spot. Such incredible history in country music.
Loved touring the Grand Ole Opry! Definitely a must see for anyone visiting Nashville.