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The Grand Ole Opry began in 1927 as the WSM Barn Dance, broadcasting family-friendly country music. It moved to Ryman Auditorium and became known as “The Mother Church of Country Music.” In the 1970s, it moved to the Opry House. The show still airs live on WSM and is considered the pinnacle of a country artist’s career. It remains a beloved American tradition.
It is the home of American music and perhaps one of the best known and most loved radio programs in the world. Its influence is worldwide and it has launched the careers of more than a young talent. The Grand Ole Opry began life in 1927 as WSM Barn Dance, on WSM Radio in Nashville, Tennessee. It was supposed to be a family-friendly show, broadcasting country music, the radio station and its owners, National Life Insurance. The “WSM” call letters even referred to National Life’s motto: “We Shield Millions.”
George D. Hay, a WSM announcer, was the first announcer of the Barn Dance and renamed it The Grand Ole Opry in 1927. When WSM increased its transmit power to 50,000 watts, eastern Canada and most of the north, del the south and midwest in the United States could hear the Grand Ole Opry on their radios. This increase in listenership meant that more people heard the Opry and many traveled to Nashville to be part of the live audience.
After the show outgrew its old digs, it moved to Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. The building had once been a church and could seat several hundred in its pews and balcony. Soon, the Ryman became known as “The Mother Church of Country Music,” and it was after moving to the Ryman that the Grand Ole Opry really took off and began to amass the mystique it still holds.
Some of the biggest names in American music have performed on that wooden stage at the Ryman: Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb, Marty Robbins, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and Hank Williams Sr. These names have become synonymous with country music, and all began their careers on the Opry stage.
While much loved by fans and performers alike, in the 1970s, it became apparent that Ryman Auditorium was simply no longer adequate for the Grand Ole Opry. Parking downtown was a nightmare and seating was becoming limited. The show moved to the Opry House on the grounds of what was then Opryland USA theme park. The new facilities were perfect for the show and could be used during the telecast of the program or when the Country Music Association Awards were presented.
The Opry board of directors regularly nominates and nominates new artists for membership in the Grand Ole Opry, and being named a member of the Opry is a treasured honor and is still considered the pinnacle of a country artist’s career. More than a country performer, though accustomed to performing in 80,000-seat arenas, he still has the jitters when he performs at the Grand Ole Opry: his tradition is so strong.
The Grand Ole Opry is still a radio show, and Friday and Saturday night shows are still broadcast live on WSM. Revered country artists and newbies still perform the same shows, split into 30-minute segments, each sponsored by a different company. Those who attend these shows say that the atmosphere is still casual and audience members can see the stars and crew, milling backstage, talking, laughing, having fun. Thousands of people from all over the world still travel to Nashville, Tennessee to attend the Grand Ole Opry every year. It is also broadcast live on the Internet from the WSM Radio website. The Grand Ole Opry is an American original and a true American tradition.
