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Today the Opry is situated in a modern building on the grounds of Opryland USA. fans from around the world come to see the live radio and TV stage performances.

On October 5, 1925, WSM radio began broadcasting from Nashville, Tennessee. The first studio located on the fifth floor of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company building broadcast via 1,000 watts of power. One month later on November 2, 1925, WSM hired a young announcer named George D. Hay, the "Solemn Old Judge," to direct their station. During that time, string bands, traditional singers and fiddle and banjo players were popular and abundant. The fame of those gigs inspired Hay to air a one-hour program every Saturday night showcasing the events. Thus the Grand Ole Opry was born, although it didn't settle on a name until June 1928. The Opry got its name by an unusual coincidence: Soon after Hay started his show, WSM radio joined the NBC radio network. Hay's program followed a performance on the network called the Metropolitan Grand Opera. So Hay decided to call his program the Grand Ole Opry.

During its gestation period, the Opry sanctioned a host of aspiring and veteran performers on its roster. Uncle Dave Macon was the first Opry performer to gain national fame and Deford Bailey was the first black singer to appear. Other founding stars included Obed Pickard and the Picard Family (1926), the Delmore Brothers (1933-'38), the Dixie Liners, Brother Sam and Kirk McGee, Fiddlin' Arthur Smith, Paul Warmack & the Gulley Jumpers and the Fruit Jar Drinkers. (1930s).

Until 1938, the Opry placed virtually all emphasis on instruments. Then came Roy Acuff and the Tennessee Crackerjacks (later- the Smokey Mountain Boys). After becoming regular performers over stations WNOX and WROL, Roy formed his own band, the Tennessee Crackerjacks. They had become so popular by 1936 that Roy decided to approach the Opry. However, he was turned away several times. In 1938 the Opry officials reconsidered and Roy was asked to fill in for Arthur Smith. Smith had been suspended for a previous no-show. On February 19, Acuff made his debut on the Opry. At that time the Opry was held in the Dixie Tabernacle in East Nashville.

Two weeks later Roy was asked to take a regular job at the Opry. Acuff's popularity played an important role in turning the largely instrumental Opry into the most famous radio barn dance. At that time, one of the musicians in the band was Pee Wee King. King stepped forward to began to sing. That opened the door to a wave of new performers who came to sing.

In 1946, Red Foley replaced Roy Acuff as the host of the broadcast portion of the Opry. Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Eddy Arnold, Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams Ferlin Husky and Marty Robbins were among hundreds of other singers, who first appeared on the Opry.

After the war, the Opry had grown into a star showcase and rapidly eclipsed most other barn dances. Once regarded as one among many barn dances of the '20s and '30s, the Opry began to reveal significant differences in programming during this period. The Opry became more than a radio program. It was in fact, a major promotional and marketing station for the National Life and Accident Insurance Company. Inevitably the Opry began to attract the best artists, the most talented sidemen and sharpest executives.

The Opry has played a continuing role in Nashville's growth and economy. Augmented by this success, Nashville is known as Music City USA and is the nerve center of country music's recording industry. The nucleus is focused around a multimillion-dollar family entertainment park and music center. Opryland USA, a 369-acre complex, is divided into entertainment segments that combine live musical shows, restaurants, gift shops and a state-of-the-art amusement park. Without its dedication to country music and development of talent, it is doubtful the industry would have centered in Nashville.

After several temporary homes, the Opry moved to the Ryman Auditorium in 1943. Known as the Mother Church of Country Music, it became home for hundreds of Opry shows during the next thirty years. By the close of the '60s, the WSM management decided to build a new home for the show. A site for the new theme park (Opryland USA) was chosen outside Nashville. The final Saturday night Opry performance from the Ryman Auditorium was held on March 9, 1974. On March 16, 1974, the Grand Ole Opry moved to its present home, Opryland USA. President Nixon joined Roy Acuff on stage for opening night festivities.

To become a member of the Grand Ole Opry is perhaps the highest honor a country performer can achieve. CBS-TV aired a two-hour special celebrating the 65th anniversary of the Opry on January 15, 1991.

In 1992, Roy Acuff died and left the Opry without a helmsman. However, Porter wagoner has been a member of the Opry since 1957 and unofficially fills that role. For nearly seventy-five years, the Opry has been the pillar of the country music arena. With its roots deeply embedded, it will remain a staple in the country music world.

back Revised: 10/11/1999 | Thanks for visiting!