2435 Atrium Way
Nashville, TN 37214
Tel. (615) 883-0500
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Grand Ole Opry Nashville Opry Entertainment ComplexThe Opry Entertainment Complex consists of four unique entertainment venues: the Grand Ole Opry House , the Acuff Theatre , the Opry Museum , and the Opry Plaza . Visit the Opry Entertainment Complex and you'll be treated to a grand time, no matter what the occasion. Whether you attend a Grand Ole Opry show, a live episode of USA Network's Nashville Star, a huge concert or a small party, you'll find that star treatment and southern hospitality are the norm. If you're searching for the perfect space to create an event of your own – you've found it! Whether you need a theatre that can house thousands of guests for a concert or meeting, a unique museum space to host a small holiday soiree, or anywhere in between, you'll find it at the Opry Entertainment Complex where range from 80 to over 4000 Welcome to the OpryW hat began as a simple radio broadcast in 1925 The Opry, an American icon and Nashville, It's been called the “home of American music” Many of those “Opry Moments” are the result of Frequently Asked QuestionsWho is playing on (any given date)? The lineup for each Grand Ole Opry show is not completely finished until just a few days before the show, so it is impossible to post the weekly schedule far in advance. But, if you will check out the Calendar of Events section, artists are posted as soon as appearances are confirmed (Artists and schedule subject to change). You may have to check back often, as most times artists' appearances are not confirmed until one to two weeks prior to the show date (or even a day before!). We receive many inquiries about who will be playing on a show anywhere from a month to six months away, and while we cannot provide that information, be assured that each and every Grand Ole Opry show will be packed with entertainment. Are there backstage tours available at the Grand Ole Opry House? Yes, you can learn the fascinating story of the Grand Ole Opry with a backstage tour of the Grand Ole Opry House. You'll get a rare glimpse at what happens behind the scenes of country music's most famous show. Note: Backstage tours are available only when the Opry House is not in use during Opry performances and other special events. Call ahead at 1-800-SEE-OPRY or (615) 871-OPRY to inquire about tour availability or stop by The Opry Shop to verify tour times and purchase tickets. PLEASE NOTE: Backstage Tours are not available November - December. Front of House Tours are available mid-November through December. Call ahead at 1-800-SEE-OPRY or (615) 871-OPRY to inquire about tour availability. Can I bring my camera to an Opry performance? Absolutely! We encourage visitors to take still photos at the Grand Ole Opry. For years, the Opry has invited fans to “rush the stage anytime” for photos. One of the most fun things about events such as the Opry's annual Birthday Bash is watching Opry members sign photos fans have taken at the Opry during previous visits. One rule to keep in mind is that while still photography is allowed during the Opry, video cameras are not. What is the appropriate attire to wear to the Grand Ole Opry? Just as the styles vary on the Opry stage so too do they vary in the seats of the Opry House. You'll see everything from faded jeans to business suits and from cowboy hats to your Sunday best. Just remember a rule we take very seriously here at the Grand Ole Opry ... you have to wear something! Are Opry recordings or video footage available to the public to purchase? Unfortunately, video footage of the Grand Ole Opry is not available for purchase, but you can purchase a Grand Ole Opry at Carnegie Hall DVD. The DVD commemorates the Opry's first performance in over 40 years at the renowned music hall. How does a performer become an Opry ember ? There's no magic formula, no secret code that grants access to one of the most coveted invitations in all of music. The decision to increase the Opry's ranks is, and always has been, made exclusively by the show's management. The people who've been entrusted with the Opry's tradition and future direction take into account all the standards of success in country music – radio airplay, album and ticket sales, industry recognition – when considering an act for membership. The Opry considers career accomplishment, as well as the potential for continued success. But the Opry doesn't simply pass out invitations to the biggest stars with the most hits. Opry management looks for a musical and a generational balance. Opry membership requires a passion for country music's fans, a connection to the music's history. And it requires commitment – even a willingness to make significant sacrifices to uphold that commitment. Often, the Opry seeks out those who seek out the Opry, though decisions aren't based on which artists appear most on the show, either. The decision to bring a new act into the Opry fold is a two-pronged one, based on a combination of career accomplishment and commitment. But, really, it comes down to just one word: relationships. The relationships between performers and fans. The relationships Opry members have with each other, relationships that may last for decades. And, perhaps most importantly, the relationship between each artist and the ideal of the Grand Ole Opry. Because it's the new members that guarantee the future success of the Opry. Yesterday's bright young talents have now become legends. And today's superstars will become icons to future generations. Each new member adds another chapter to the Opry story, and their commitments, their relationships, have made the Opry endure for 80 years strong. What can I/someone I know do to be able to perform on the Opry? While there was a time in the past that artists would audition for a chance to perform on the Opry stage, today, the show features established professional entertainers who have achieved a level of success and recognition in the country music industry. The Grand Ole Opry now contacts performers to schedule appearances, and there is no audition process. Can you tell me more about the “Grand Ole Opry Live” programming schedule? "Grand Ole Opry Live" airs on GAC: Great American Country 52 weeks a year, with 6 airings each week, including Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday airings. The Opry's agreement with GAC calls for approximately 30 live shows each year with encore episodes airing during the remaining weeks of the year. Please remember, you can also enjoy the Grand Ole Opry in a variety of ways including opry.com, America's Grand Ole Opry Weekend syndicated program available on many country music stations, and of course, 650 WSM-AM . Is the Ryman Auditorium the original home of the Grand Ole Opry? No, but it is quite possibly its most famous former home. Since its beginnings in 1925, the Grand Ole Opry has called the following venues home: I would like the Grand Ole Opry to make a donation to my charity/cause. How do I make that request? The Grand Ole Opry receives a large number of charity requests, and unfortunately, cannot contribute to everyone. To be considered, one must submit their request on company letterhead to Grand Ole Opry, Attn: Sandy Judge, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214 or fax to (615) 871-5719. Once your request is received, it will be reviewed to determine whether it fits within our contribution guidelines and budget. You will only be notified if we can grant your request. What makes up the Grand Ole Opry Entertainment Complex? The Opry Entertainment Complex consists of four unique entertainment venues: Grand Ole Opry House, Acuff Theatre, Grand Ole Opry Museum, and Opry Plaza. Where can I purchase tickets to events at the Opry House and Acuff Theatre? Unless otherwise noted on the calendar of events , tickets are available at the Opry Box Office or by calling 1-800-SEE-OPRY. Opry.com is the official source for Grand Ole Opry tickets. Visit the Purchase Tickets page on opry.com for more information or to purchase Opry tickets. Where are the Grand Ole Opry House and Acuff Theatre in relation to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center and Opry Mills shopping center? The Opry House and Acuff Theatre are part of the Opry Entertainment Complex, which sits between the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills. Departing from the Delta Portico at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, it is about a ten minute walk to the Opry Entertainment Complex. Departing from Dave & Buster's or Regal Cinemas at Opry Mills, it is less than a minute walk to the Opry Entertainment Complex ... just across the street! Where do I find directions and parking information? Click here for directions and parking instructions. When is the Opry Box Office open? Monday - 10am-5pm When is The Opry Shop open? Monday - 10am-6pm When is the Opry Museum open? Monday - 10am-6pm What is the dress code for shows at the Opry House and Acuff Theatre? There is no specific dress code. Of course some events warrant more formal attire, but in general you will see people wearing everything from blue jeans to suits to evening wear. See also - What is the appropriate attire to wear to the Grand Ole Opry? What restaurants and hotels are in the area? For a listing of neighboring restaurants, see our Let's Eat page and for a list of hotels, visit or Attractions & Accomodations page in our Trip Planner section. Who do I contact if I am interested in planning an event at the Opry House or the Acuff Theatre? You may call (615) 871-6612 or send an email to venuerentals@opry.com. What facilities do you have to accommodate people with disabilities or special needs? The Opry Entertainment Complex is committed to providing superior service to all guests and takes reasonable measures to accommodate guests with disabilities. Please contact Customer Service at 1-800-SEE-OPRY for additional information and for special requests. I think I left my cell phone at the show last night. How can I check to see if someone found it? Anything found at the Opry Entertainment Complex will be turned into the central Opryland lost and found office. You can call (615) 889-1000 and ask to be transferred to the Lost and Found Office. Can I take pictures during shows at the Opry Entertainment Complex? The policy regarding photography varies from show to show. Please contact Customer Service at 1-800-SEE-OPRY to check the policy for a specific show. See also - Can I bring my camera to an Opry performance? Can I bring my own food and drink? The Opry Entertainment Complex does not allow guests to bring any outside food or beverages. Concession areas throughout the complex sell a wide variety of food and beverages, including full bars for most events. What time should I arrive for an event at the Opry House or the Acuff Theatre? Theatre doors open at different times for different events. Generally, though, seating will begin 30-60 minutes prior to the performance start time. Please call Customer Service at 1-800-SEE-OPRY to confirm for specific show details. The six-foot circle of dark, oak wood in the Opry House stage is shiny but clearly well worn. Cut from the stage of the Opry's famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium, this circle gives newcomers and veterans alike the opportunity to sing on the same spot that once supported Uncle Dave Macon, Ernest Tubb, Patsy Cline, and others. Early WSM advertising postcard, late 1920s"That circle is the most magical thing when you're a performer," says Brad Paisley, "to stand there and get to sing on those same boards that probably still contain dust from Hank Williams' boots." Many things about the Opry have changed over the years - its members, the sound of its music, even its home. But there's always that oak-solid center to remind every singer or musician who steps inside that they take part in something much larger than themselves, that wherever they go they have a connection to the legends and the giants who came before them. As that wooden circle is the heart of the stage, the Opry's heart is its music and its members - a broad scope of styles by a wide range of artists. "The Grand Ole Opry celebrates country music's diversity," says Opry general manager Pete Fisher. "In addition, the Opry presents the many generations of artists who have formed country music's legacy and continue to forge its future course." This early Opry souvenir features founderGeorge D. Hay (center) and Opry cast members from the 1930s. Indeed, during any given Opry show, audiences can expect the best in country, bluegrass, comedy, gospel, and more by Country Music Hall of Famers, cast members who helped establish the Opry as the home of country music, revered superstars, and young artists just starting to make names for themselves. The Grand Ole Opry began just five years after commercial radio was born in the United States. In 1925, the National Life and Accident Insurance Company built a radio station as a public service to the local community and with the hope that the new medium could advertise insurance policies. The station's call letters, WSM, stood for the company's motto: "We Shield Millions." Soon after going on the air, National Life hired one of the nation's most popular announcers, George D. Hay, as WSM's first program director. Hay, a former Memphis newspaper reporter who'd most recently started a barn dance show on Chicago radio powerhouse WLS, joined the station's staff a month after it went on the air. At 8 p.m. on November 28, 1925, Hay pronounced himself "The Solemn Old Judge" (though he was actually only 30 years old) and launched, along with championship fiddler, Uncle Jimmy Thompson, what would become the WSM Barn Dance. Hay's weekly broadcasts continued and proved enormously popular, and he renamed the show the Grand Ole Opry in 1927. Crowds soon clogged hallways as they gathered to observe the performers, prompting the National Life company to build an acoustically designed auditorium capable of holding 500 fans. When WSM radio increased broadcasting power to 50,000 watts in 1932, most of the United States and parts of Canada could tune into the Opry on Saturday nights, broadening the show's outreach. Opry fans crowd Nashville's Fifth Avenue in this1955 photo. The new space wasn't enough to keep up with the audience's increasing enthusiasm for the weekly show. The Opry went through a number of homes in several parts of Nashville before settling, in 1943, at the Ryman Auditorium, a former religious meeting house built in 1892 by riverboat shipping magnate Captain Thomas Ryman for traveling evangelist, Reverend Samuel Jones. The Opry stayed at the Ryman for nearly 31 years. Many of the show's legends spent most of their Opry runs there. (Only in late 2004 did the Grand Ole Opry House pass the Ryman as the Opry's most enduring home.) The popularity of the Opry shows was star driven. Until 1938, the show had emphasized instrumental performances. Any singer was subordinate to the band. All that changed when young Roy Acuff joined the cast that year. His performance of "The Great Speckled Bird" his first night forever changed the Opry. Roy Acuff ( far right) points to a boardannouncing the expansion of the Opry's Prince Albert Show network broadcast on NBC. The show's popularity also was enhanced after the NBC Radio Network began carrying the show in 1939. Sponsored by Prince Albert Tobacco, the network show featured Opry stars Uncle Dave Macon, Acuff, Deford Bailey, and Hay. In October 1943, the Prince Albert Show segment, with Acuff hosting, began airing nationally on more than 140 NBC affiliates. Throughout the '40s, Opry stars spent weekends performing on the show in Nashville and weekdays traveling around the nation, performing first in tent shows and later in auditoriums. Artists and musicians crammed into automobiles and later buses as they became ambassadors for country music and the Grand Ole Opry. Ernest Tubb took a group of Opry stars to New York's Carnegie Hall in 1947. Another Opry group played Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., that same year. The Opry's first European tour in 1949 took Red Foley, Acuff , Minnie Pearl, Rod Brasfield, Little Jimmy Dickens, Hank Williams, and others to U.S. military bases in England, Germany, and the Azores. And in 1961, an Opry troupe including Patsy Cline, Grandpa Jones, Bill Monroe, and Jim Reeves played Carnegie Hall a second time. The touring tradition has continued. In 1991, the Opry conducted a 10-city Grand Ole Opry Tour to celebrate the show's 65th anniversary. In 2004, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, Del McCoury, and others reprised an Opry tour. And the Opry's 80th anniversary festivities include plans for another return trip to Carnegie Hall and "An Evening With the Grand Ole Opry" multi-city tour. The entire Grand Ole Opry cast takes thestage during the opening night ceremonies March 16, 1974, at the Grand Ole Opry House as special guest, President Richard Nixon speaks to the crowd. Even as it held tightly to its traditions, the Opry took advantage of new technologies and opportunities. In 1955, Ralston Purina began sponsoring an hour-long regional-network television show from the Ryman stage featuring Opry stars. And in 1974, the Opry moved from the Ryman to a new, larger facility at the heart of a multi-million-dollar entertainment complex nine miles from downtown Nashville. The 1970s also saw the simple little radio show televised live for the first time. The national PBS Television Network televised the show on March 4, 1978, and annually through 1981. Then in April 1985, a half-hour segment of the Opry began airing each Saturday night on TNN as Grand Ole Opry Live . Opry Backstage , a live 30-minute series that aired before Grand Ole Opry Live , began in 1987. Opry Live eventually expanded to a full hour show that was featured first on Country Music Television (CMT) and later on Great American Country (GAC). As country's popularity boomed during the 1980s, Opry management ensured the show's future by adding a new generation of stars to the roster, beginning with the induction of Ricky Skaggs, Lorrie Morgan, Reba McEntire, Ricky Van Shelton, and Holly Dunn. By the end of the 1990s, many of country's top superstars - including Garth Brooks, Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Steve Wariner, Diamond Rio, and Trisha Yearwood - could call the Opry home. The Opry's additions in the new century reflect the show's commitment to a broad range of country music. Recent inductees have included bluegrass greats Ralph Stanley and Del McCoury, second-generation singer Pam Tillis, and award-winners Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood. The Del McCoury Band performs at the GrandOle Opry House. Today, there are more ways to enjoy the Grand Ole Opry than ever before. From March through December, there are the Tuesday Night Opry shows. There's the two-hour radio program, America's Opry Weekend , syndicated nationwide. Just as country greats like Jeannie Seely and Jim Ed Brown grew up listening to the Opry on radio, future generations of Opry stars also may hear it on the Internet, on satellite radio, or via the American Forces Network. However they hear it, and wherever they come from, those future Opry stars will one day take their place inside that famed round piece of stage. They will enter the circle that remains unbroken, and they will feel the presence of the hundreds who've come before. They will know the value of remaining genuine and honest, and they will continue to entertain millions while keeping founder George D. Hay's first commandment: "Keep 'er down to Earth, boys!” |
