Ryman’s Musical Talents

Ryman Auditorium was once home to “The Show That Made Country Music Famous”, the Grand Ole Opry. Consequently, this makes Ryman Auditorium the Old, Grand Ole Opry House. This 2,362 seats live performance hall is located in the city of Nashville, and is most famous for, at one point, being the home of the Grand Ole Opry; One of Nashville’s most popular tourist attractions and claim to fame. The auditorium was added to the United States National Register of Historic places all the way back in 1997 and was designated a National Historic Landmark due to the crucial role that the auditorium had in popularizing Country music across the globe.

When Opryland USA was planned, as well as plans for a new, larger home for the Grand Ole Opry, it was also revealed that the people running the show planned to destroy the Ryman and use its materials for a church in the theme park Opryland USA, called “The Little Church of Opryland”. A consultant evaluated the Ryman and stated that it “contains nothing of value as a theater worth restoring. Once this was decided, the consultant recommended that the theater should be demolished, and the land should be used for a brand new, and more modern theater. This plan was met with a staunch resistance from the community, including many popular and influential musicians of the time. To sum up the community’s feeling at the time, Pulitzer Prize-winning Ada Huxtable said this “First price for the pious misuse of a landmark and a total misunderstanding of the principles of preservation. Gentlemen, for shame.”

A major shareholder in Opryland USA named Roy Acuff took the lead and ultimately failed in attempting to have the building destroyed. Ironic enough, a life-size statue of Roy Acuff now sits in the lobby of the Ryman Auditorium.

Revival of the Ryman

In 1989, work began to upgrade and restore the exterior of the Ryman Auditorium. This meant a new roof, new windows, and restored brick and wood for the Auditorium. Ironically enough, the interior of the building was left, for the most part, ignored.

In late April, early May of 1991, an acoustic concert was held at the Ryman, which was literally falling apart. No one was allowed to sit on, or beneath any of the balconies due to safety concerns, which limited capacity to about 200 people. In 1993-1994, the interior of the Ryman received some much needed tender loving care. An entire interior renovation replaced everything from the bathrooms to the balconies and allowed the venue to flourish again, as the first performance at the Ryman was a broadcast of the world famous Prairie Home Companion.

The Ryman Today

As the Ryman was renovated again in 2015, this changed the way the venue was viewed. Thanks to the renovation of this great American landmark, and the emergence of other attractions in the area, Downtown Nashville has been allowed to flourish. Visit the Ryman if you ever find yourself in Nashville, and experience what some experts call the best acoustics in the world.

After your flight lands in the heart of Nashville, be sure to wake yourself back up with some acoustics! Before you leave town, visit our law firm near the ryman auditorium.  After you visit the Ryman, be sure to check out Belle Meade Mansion!