Since 1925 a weekly stage concert called the Grand Ole Opry has been featuring the biggest acts in country music. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, the Opry has become an American Icon as it celebrates the legends and promotes the current stars of blue grass, gospel, folk, and country music. Even an East Coast city slicker, like me, can appreciate the Opry’s importance both musically and culturally. If you’re a fan of country, you will enjoy this online pilgrimage to the ‘Home of Country Music’. If you’re not a fan, you should still come along to see what all the fuss is about. Either way, charge up the computer for another virtual field trip – this week we’re gonna have a good ole time at the Grand Ole Opry!
Photo Tour of the Grand Ole Opry:
Photo Gallery of the Grand Ole Opry offers over a dozen pictures of the Nashville landmark including images of the Opry Plaza, entertainers, the Opra Plaza stage, the Grand Ole Opry House, Museum and gift house.
Grand Ole Opry Facts:
- It was created by a man named George Hay
- Its original name was The WSM Barn Dance
- By the 1930s most of the U.S. could hear the Opry on the Radio
- In the 1940s members of the Opry entertained at military bases during the War
- Elvis Presley played the Opry as a teenager in 1954
- In 1974 President Nixon attended the Opry and played piano on stage
- It currently has millions of listeners on the radio and Internet
Video Tour of the Grand Ole Opry:
What is the Opry? is an excellent webpage that features a 4 minute streaming video documentary about the Grand Ole Opry. This interesting video contains clips of some of the Opry’s live acts and historic moments. The webpage also provides an informative article entitled The Show that Made Country Music Famous.
Musical Performances from the Grand Ole Opry:
The best way to understand the Opry is to experience the Opry. That means listening to its live, energetic performances. The Grand Ole Opry maintains a YouTube channel that features some of its memorable acts from county music’s most popular stars and respected legends. Highlights include:
History of the Grand Ole Opry:
The History of the Opry is an informative article tracing the Grand Ole Opry’s musical past from its earliest days right up to current times. The page features many archival images of the Opry including an advertising postcard from the 1920’s, a souvenir poster from the 1930s, and photographs from the 1950s. Throughout the turbulent, ever- changing twentieth century the Grand Ole Opry not only survived – it grew into an American institution!
Official Website of the Grand Ole Opry:
The Official Website of the Grand Ole Opry is a high quality, searchable website which makes full use of digital technology to bring the excitement of Nashville’s Opry right into your home. The site provides schedules of upcoming shows, ticket information, and a page about planning an actual trip to the Grand Ole Opry. The website also offers info about the Opry fan club, an interesting Opry timeline, and a page of news headlines and feature articles. The Grand Ole Opry has an impressive social networking presence, which includes:
- The Grand Ole Opry’s Facebook Page
- The Grand Ole Opry on Myspace
- The Grand Ole Opry’s YouTube Channel
- The Grand Ole Opry’s Twitter Page
- The Grand Ole Opry’s Blog