The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. Long known as the original home of country music, it is a historical landmark and a huge part of what is so special about country music. What an exciting time it is to visit the Ryman Auditorium, the former site of the weekly musical event known as the Grand Ole Opry!

Completely renovated ten years ago, the Ryman Auditorium is a walk down memory lane for many baby boomers, a good number of whom can remember early telecasts of country singers performing in the late 1960's and early 1970's. Indeed, many country singers got their professional start at "The Ryman" as the Auditorium is more familiarly called. Originally built as a church in a semi-circle shape, the seats are actually the former pews - benches made of beautiful wood. The near-perfect accoustics that are present in the auditorium are thought of to be perhaps the best in our country, although an argument has been made for the Mormon Tabernacle's grand space as well.

Because of the wonderful sound at the Ryman and the guaranteed sold-out audiences, who were excited to hear their favorite music performed live on stage, country artists from all over the country were determined to be booked there on as many Saturday nights as their schedules would allow. What a Saturday night it would be! After having been on line for often over an hour in sometimes sweltering heat or shivering cold, concertgoers would swarm in to the auditorium. Many people would be carrying their dinners, and they'd quickly grab a seat. A good number of musicians reported being able to smell fried chicken and other delicacies waft up on the stage as they played and sang. For hours, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Minnie Pearl, Patsy Cline and many, many others would perform to the always-packed house.

The Grand Ole Opry, at this site from 1943-1974, has now moved to Opryland, right outside of Nashville. Ryman Auditorium, for years dormant, is now the site of a wonderful and interesting museum. Visitors there pay a nominal entrance fee and are shown a short video presented by Trisha Yearwood. Afterwards, visitors are encouraged to view the many interesting pieces of the era that are on display. (How exciting to see one of Minnie Pearl's hats, with the price tag still attached!) Many visitors, both young and old, also take to the stage and grab an available guitar, an exciting picture opportunity!

The Auditorium is still used for smaller-scale concerts, shows and entertainment. It is very easy for a visitor to sense what is so special about this historic place.Visit Nashville's Ryman Auditorium! It's a piece of our country's history and will be responsible for your own wonderful memories too...