Nashville ~The Opry

Jeff and I have been busy the past few days getting taking in the sights and sounds of Nashville.

We have visited both venues of the Opry.

The Newest Grand Ole Opry House outside of downtown Nashville.

This New Grand Ole Opry

opened in 1974

Jeff and I joined a backstage tour.

The interior benches in are padded unlike the old Ryman Auditorium..

We were able to take photos of the dressing rooms..

All with different themes and memorabilia

I liked this room..

The six-foot circle of dark, oak wood in the Opry House stage is shiny but clearly well worn. Cut from the stage of the Opry's famous former home, the Ryman Auditorium, this circle gives newcomers and veterans alike the opportunity to sing on the same spot that once supported Uncle Dave

Macon, Ernest Tubb, Patsy Cline, and others.

"That circle is the most magical thing when you're a performer," says Brad Paisley, "to stand there and get to sing on those same boards that probably still contain dust from Hank Williams' boots."

I step on Country music history..

Just a short walk away is a huge hotel and conference complex

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel

The rooms face into this into atrium park setting..with restaurants, coffee shops and shopping.

Oh look who decided to come along..

Waldo liked the glass art..

We also toured the old home of the Opry

The Ryman Auditorium

in downtown Nashville

built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle

read about the history here.

much smaller in size..

We took the backstage tour, though..We were only allowed to take photos in the auditorium itself..

 

It has been a busy fun filled week of City and music.

Something we don’t often do..

Last night we attended a concert that was part of the

Tin Pan South Songwriters festival

We saw this group of songwriters perform..

 

Chris DeStefano, Katrina Elam, JT Harding, Matt Jenkins w/ Shaun Bayles (accompanist)

ASCAP has, once again, assembled and awesome line up! They’ve recruited producer/multi-instrumentalist/writer DeStefano (Good Girl, Why You Wanna, Something ‘Bout Love), Universal South recording artist/songwriter Elam (Easy, Say Goodnight, No End In Sight, Change, Flat On The Floor), hit writer Harding (Alone With You, Party People, Somewhere With You, Whole Lotta You, Smile) and artist/writer Jenkins (Runnin’ Out Of Air, Until The Rain Stops, Heaven, Bad As I Want To) to come play some of their hits songs for y’all.

They were excellent!

We hope to attend a few more..

Off now to tour

The Country Music Hall of Fame

then catch a 7pm concert at the Ryman

Opry Country Classics ~should be fun!