Ryman Auditorium
116 Fifth Avenue North, Nashville Tennessee
 Known
as Nashville's Premier Performance Hall, the Ryman Auditorium
was originally a church named the Union Gospel Tabernacle. Ironically,
it was built by Captain Ryman, a roistering riverboat captain
who came to Nashville in 1885 to disrupt services conducted by
the Reverand Sam Jones. His visit resulted in an unexpected religious
conversion and Captain Ryman began financing the building of the
Tabernacle in 1889. and it was completed in 1892. After his death,
the Union Gospel Tabernacle was renamed the Ryman Auditorium at
the suggestion of the Rev. Jones. By the turn of the century the
Ryman had transformed itself into one of the South’s premier performance
halls and launched a tradition of showcasing a wide variety of
entertainment genres. Over the next half century, the Ryman stage
attracted performances by legends ranging from stars of the silver
screen such as Rudolph Valentino and Charlie Chaplin to famed
composers such as Edward Strauss and Sergei Rachmaninov. The stage
also hosted Opera stars like famed African American contralto
Marian Anderson and Vaudeville personalities such as humorist
and cowboy singer Will Rogers.The Ryman Auditorium was the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 -1974. During that period, the building gained nationwide recognition as the “Mother Church of Country Music” featuring pioneering performers such as Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, and Patsy Cline who helped shape the future of country and bluegrass music.  During
1994, the Ryman Auditorium was completely renovated. In 2004,
the Ryman stayed true to its traditions, featuring an eclectic
concert schedule which included sold-out performances by R.E.M.,
Merle Haggard, Carole King, Moe, Ryan Adams, the Pixies, John
Prine, Larry the Cable Guy, Erykah Badu, and Keith Urban. The
Ryman begins 2005 with a diverse line-up that includes concerts
by rock & roll icon Elvis Costello, country legend George Jones,
neo-soul diva Jill Scott, and CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Keith
Urban, who is back in 2005 with a three night sold-out engagement.
“For me,” says Urban, “the Ryman is a magical place. Music just
sounds and feels right there, and I've been fortunate enough to
not only perform there many times, but to also witness some extraordinary
nights sitting out front on those old wooden pews. From Merle
Haggard to Coldplay, a concert at the Ryman is quite simply a
beautiful musical experience.” |
