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RYMAN AUDITORIUM
Captain Thomas Green Ryman, river boat owner and financier, in a gesture of gratitude for his soul's salvation, built this auditorium for evangelist, Samual Porter Jones, and named it the Union Gospel Tabernacle. The first revival was held there in May of 1890. The Confederate Gallery was built in 1897 to accommodate a reunion of Confederate veterans. Famous orators such as William Jennings Bryan and Booker T. Washington spoke there and it housed the Nashville symphony and opera guild, and hosted the gubernatorial convention, in 1892. Upon the death of Capt. Ryman in 1904, the building was re-named the Ryman Auditorium. Sarah Bernhardt, Rudolph Valentino, W.C. Fields, and many others performed in the Ryman in the first half of the 20th century. The Grand Ole Opry began using the Ryman for its WSM Radio Show in 1943, after outgrowing previous locations. In 1949, Hank Williams received many ovations and performed 6 encores of his "Lovesick Blues", and Elvis Presley gave his first and only performance there, in 1954. In 1963, National Life & Accident bought the Ryman Auditorium from the city for $120,000, formally renamed it the Grand Ole Opry House, and gave it a much needed sprucing up, as country music fans continued to flock to Nashville to see the live performances of such legends as Willie Nelson, Tex Ritter, Del Reeves, Bill Monroe, Loretta Lynn, and others. In 1974, prior to being moved to its new location in Opryland Park, George Morgan sang "Candy Kisses", the last song performed on stage for the Grand Ole Opry at Capt. Ryman's beloved tabernacle. Following an $8.5 million dollar renovation, the Ryman re-opened its doors in June 1994, to again host a variety of events. During the day, tourists and music fans can tour the famous old building, which displays a visual story of its rich history. The beautiful wood pews, original to the building, remain, and musical performances can again be seen, at the gracious auditorium, which some say, houses the ghosts of many of its early performers. .........
written by: Linda Fryer, 1999 |