The Grand Ole Opry!

What Is the The Grand Ole Opry?

The Grand Ole Opry houses the world’s longest running weekly radio broadcast!

What Makes It Historical?

While the Opry has launched the careers of dozens of country musicians, it began as the radio station of National Life and Accident Insurance Company on October 5, 1925! The small studio took on the call letters WSM for “We shield millions,” and launched their “Barn Dance” program, featuring fiddle player, Uncle Jimmy Thompson, about a month later on November 28! Director George Hay renamed the show the Grand Ole Opry in 1927, and the show was so popular that the insurance company built two studios in their building that were not enough! So on October 3, 1934, the program moved to a playhouse at Vanderbilt University, then to the Dixie Tabernacle on June 13, 1936!

For the first decade, the Opry was mostly a way to drum up more insurance customers, but in the early 40s, the show took on a life of its own, expanding to the War Memorial Auditorium in 1939 and charging admission of 25 cents per person. But its most iconic venue was the Ryman Auditorium, capable of seating 2,300 country fans! It was at the Ryman where Bluegrass was born and where Johnny Cash met June Carter!

Today, the Opry has been based out of a newer building since March 15, 1974 with an opening ceremony that featured Richard Nixon playing piano! It included a 6-foot circle of hardwood from the Ryman Auditorium and still broadcasts live on WSM Radio!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
Go see a show at the Grand Ole Opry
Donate to the Opry Trust Fund!
Be a responsible visitor! Please respect the signs and pathways, and treat all structures and artifacts with respect. They’ve endured a lot to survive into the present. They’ll need our help to make it into the future!