Now Entering Music City, USA

When you think of Nashville, what is the first thought that comes into your head? Country music of course! Nashville is a vibrant city with music to the core. It is the home of the legendary Grand Ole Opry. The Opry was started as a live country music radio show called WSM Barn Dance, which was housed on the fifth floor of a radio station studio, but the audience soon became so large that it could no longer fit in that space. After several moves it eventually settled into the Ryman Auditorium where it stayed until 1974 when it moved to the Grand Ole Opry House.

Today, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of the Grand Ole Opry and how it has launched the careers of so many successful key players in the country music business such as LeAnn Rimes, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn. I recently took in a show and was hypnotized by the scope of it all and felt like I was witnessing history in the making. For aspiring country music stars, it is an honor to be asked to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, and to watch the relatively unknown performers on stage is to watch the beginnings of a new life unfolding for them. A day at the Opry for a performer can kick a performer’s career into overdrive, and many of today’s country superstars have been transformed by this life-altering experience.

The show lasts about 2 ½ hours and it is well worth every penny you will spend on tickets. I was able to sit back and enjoy the show while knowing that my transportation was taken care of, since round-trip transportation was included with the package I purchased. You may decide to purchase tickets with or without this option, depending on if you plan to stay around the area before and after the show. This trip is a must-see, but it sells out fast so be sure to buy tickets well in advance of your trip. It will be a day to remember forever- the day that new stars were born.

While you are in the area, you will want to check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, located just a few steps from the Ryman Auditorium. The museum chronicles the story of country music with a collection of video clips, recordings, exhibits, and dynamic live performances. If there is time, I also recommend visiting the Grand Ole Opry Museum and The Opry Shop for a closer look at the history of the Opry and to take home a keepsake to remember the occasion.

You can purchase tickets to the Grand Ole Opry online with convenient e-ticketing.