Bringing Country Music to a Whole Nation
A true country institution, the Grand Ole Opry draws thousands of fans to Nashville every week for the live recording of the longest running radio show in the United States.
In doing so, the radio show not only brought country music into the living rooms of Tennessee and the nation, but also helped the city of Nashville become Music City. After all, what Hollywood is to the film industry, Nashville is to the music scene.
Even today, new young talents perform on the country’s most famous stage alongside well-sounding names from the country scene and get the chance to play themselves into the hearts of loyal fans.
The Grand Ole Opry has made a lasting impression on the country scene, and even after over 5,000 shows, it’s still fueled. Because this is where stars like Dolly Parton, Bill Anderson and Ernest Tubb were made.
Grand Ole Opry History
The radio show originated on November 28, 1925, when the show first aired under the name The WSM Barn Dance. WSM was the name of an insurance company that marketed insurance policies through its own radio station.
The whole thing was a resounding success – in 1927 the name was changed to the Grand Ole Opry and thousands of country fans continued to attend the live event every week.
The show’s original format has changed little over the decades. But the venue – there were six different venues in the almost 100-year history.
1974 saw the last move to the newly built Grand Ole Opry House. However, the Ryman Auditorium still enjoys absolute cult status among fans today – and some shows continue to be broadcast regularly from the venue.
The Grand Ole Opry is such a cultural institution that even President Nixon has taken the stage. When the Grand Ole Opry House was inaugurated as the show’s new venue on March 16, 1974, the 37th President of the United States sat behind the piano himself and performed God Bless America.
Watch Grand Ole Opry Live
The radio show is broadcast live from Nashville every week – and you can be there. Each show lasts about 2 hours with a 15 minute break in-between.
Tickets for the live show are highly sought after, so don’t take too much time. If you want to have a special experience, then we recommend the combo package of live show and backstage tour.
The backstage tour lasts approximately 45 to 60 minutes and allows you to get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the popular radio show. And who knows which star you might bump into!
