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." |
