Grand Ole Opry facts for kids
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| Other names | WSM Barn Dance (1925–1927) |
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| Genre | |
| Running time | 120 minutes (+20-minute intermission) (7:00 pm–9:20 pm) |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Home station | WSM |
| Syndicates |
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| Announcer |
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| Created by | George D. Hay |
| Executive producer(s) | Dan Rogers |
| Recording studio |
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| Original release | November 28, 1925 – present |
| No. of episodes | 5,175 (as of March 8, 2025; counting Saturday primetime editions only) |
| Sponsored by | Humana |
The Grand Ole Opry is a famous live country music radio show. It started in Nashville, Tennessee, on radio station WSM. The show happens several nights a week, depending on the time of year.
It began on November 28, 1925, created by George D. Hay. Back then, it was called the WSM Barn Dance. In 1927, it got its current name. The Opry is one of the longest-running radio shows in U.S. history!
The show celebrates country music and its history. It features a mix of famous singers and new stars. They perform country, bluegrass, Americana, folk, and gospel. You can also see funny comedic acts and short skits. Hundreds of thousands of people visit the Opry, and millions listen on radio and online.
In the 1930s, the show grew bigger and lasted four hours. WSM's powerful radio signal helped the Opry become a Saturday night tradition in many states. In 1939, it started broadcasting across the country on NBC Radio. The Opry moved to the Ryman Auditorium in 1943, which became its most famous home for many years. As the Opry became more important, Nashville grew into America's "country music capital."
Being a member of the Opry is one of the highest honors in country music. Only about 225 acts have ever been members. As of 2024, around 75 acts are current members.
Since 1974, the show has been at the Grand Ole Opry House. For a few months each winter, it returns to the Ryman Auditorium. The Opry has also been shown on TV over the years. Today, you can watch video highlights of past shows online and on some TV channels.
Contents
The Grand Ole Opry's Story
How It All Started
The Grand Ole Opry began as the WSM Barn Dance. It started in a radio studio in downtown Nashville on November 28, 1925. Before that, WSM radio had a show with "Dr. Humphrey Bate and his string quartet."
On November 2, WSM hired George D. Hay. He was a talented radio announcer from Chicago. Hay, known as the "Solemn Old Judge," started the WSM Barn Dance. He featured 77-year-old fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson on that first show. This date is now celebrated as the Opry's birthday.
Some early bands on the show included Bill Monroe, the Possum Hunters, the Fruit Jar Drinkers, and the Crook Brothers. Uncle Dave Macon, a banjo player, became the show's first big star in 1926.
Where the Name Came From
The name "Grand Ole Opry" was first used on radio on December 10, 1927. Before the Barn Dance, NBC radio played classical music. That night, George Hay introduced the first performer, DeFord Bailey. He said, "For the past hour, we have been listening to music largely from Grand Opera, but from now on, we will present 'The Grand Ole Opry'." And the name stuck!
Moving to Bigger Stages
More and more people wanted to see the Opry live. The radio studio became too small for the crowds. So, the show started moving to larger venues.
In October 1934, the Opry moved to the Hillsboro Theatre. Then, in 1936, it moved to the Dixie Tabernacle. Next, it went to the War Memorial Auditorium in downtown Nashville. They even charged a small fee to try and manage the huge crowds. But it didn't stop the fans!
In June 1943, the Opry found a new home at the Ryman Auditorium. This building became very famous for hosting the show.
From 1939 to 1956, one hour of the Opry was broadcast nationally on the NBC Red Network. Later, from 1955 to 1956, ABC-TV also showed a live TV version once a month.
In 1954, a young Elvis Presley performed at the Opry. His new style of music was very different. The Opry management felt his style wasn't quite right for their show at that time.
Changes in the 1960s
During the 1960s, the Opry kept a traditional image. Artists were expected to dress in a classic country style. However, Jeannie Seely, who joined in 1967, helped change this. She wanted to wear more modern clothes, like what young women wore then. Her actions helped the Opry become more open to different styles. Jeannie Seely performed over 5,300 times at the Opry, a record!
Some artists had disagreements with the Opry's rules. For example, The Byrds, a rock band, performed in 1968. They played a different song than announced, which surprised the audience. Later, members of The Byrds worked with the Opry on a special album.
Johnny Cash, a country legend, had a difficult moment in 1965. He was asked to take a break from the show for a while. He returned in 1968 after his album At Folsom Prison became very popular.
The Grand Ole Opry House
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Grand Ole Opry House
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The Grand Ole Opry House in 2022
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| Location | 600 Opry Mills Dr, Nashville, Tennessee 37214 |
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| Area | 4 acres (approx.) |
| Built | 1972-74 |
| Architect | Welton Becket & Associates; Pierre Cabrol |
| Architectural style | Modern/Brutalist |
| Restored | 2010 (flood damage remediation) |
| NRHP reference No. | 14001222 |
| Added to NRHP | January 27, 2015 |
The Ryman Auditorium was home to the Opry until 1974. By the late 1960s, the Ryman was getting old and needed repairs. Also, the Opry's weekly crowds were too big for the 2,362-seat venue. The Opry needed a new, bigger, and more modern home.
So, a new Opry venue was built east of downtown Nashville. It was part of a large entertainment complex that included a theme park. The new 4,000-seat Opry House opened on March 16, 1974. The last show at the Ryman Auditorium was on March 15, 1974.
U.S. President Richard Nixon attended the opening night and even played some songs on the piano! To keep a special tradition, a six-foot circle of oak wood was cut from the Ryman's stage. This circle was placed in the center of the new stage. Today, artists often stand on this circle when they perform.
The theme park closed in 1997, but the Grand Ole Opry House is still used today. The area around it was kept, even when the Opry Mills mall was built. The Opry House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
The Grand Ole Opry House also hosted the Country Music Association Awards for many years. It has also been the site for other TV shows and awards.
Coming Back to the Ryman Auditorium
After the Opry moved, the Ryman Auditorium was empty for about 20 years. There were plans to tear it down, but many people, including famous musicians, protested. So, the building stayed. Even without shows, it remained a popular place for tourists.
In the early 1990s, singer Emmylou Harris performed concerts there. These shows helped bring new interest to the Ryman. In 1993, the Ryman was fully renovated and reopened as a concert hall in 1994.
In 1998, the Opry held a special show at the Ryman. Then, starting in November 1999, the Opry began performing at the Ryman for three months each winter. This allowed the show to honor its history. After a break in 2020, the Opry returned to the Ryman for shorter winter stays starting in 2023. These shows are called Opry at the Ryman.
The 2010 Flood
In May 2010, the Opry House was flooded when the Cumberland River overflowed. Much of Nashville was affected. Repairs were made, and the Opry shows continued without stopping. During the summer of 2010, the Opry performed at other venues in Nashville, mostly at the Ryman Auditorium.
The flood damaged the main floor, backstage areas, and the stage itself. Even the special Ryman circle was underwater. The Ryman circle was carefully restored and put back on the new stage. The backstage area was also updated and expanded. The Opry returned to the Grand Ole Opry House on September 28, 2010. A special TV show called Country Comes Home celebrated its return.
During the COVID-19 Pandemic
In March 2020, the Opry closed its doors to audiences because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it continued to broadcast weekly shows on radio and TV. This helped keep the show going. The Opry started letting a limited number of spectators back in October 2020. It returned to full operations in May 2021.
The Opry's live streams were very popular during the pandemic. Many people watching from home found comfort in the shows. Pollstar reported that Opry Live was the most-watched live stream series in 2020. It had over fifty million viewers from many countries.
In October 2020, the Opry celebrated its 95th anniversary. It welcomed back 500 guests to the Opry House. On October 30, 2021, the Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 5,000th Saturday night show. Many country superstars performed, including Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood.
The Opry Today
In 2022, NBCUniversal and Atairos bought a part of the Grand Ole Opry. This partnership allows NBC television channels to show special Opry programs.
In February 2023, the Opry unveiled a new, upgraded stage with advanced sound technology. This was the first major update in over twenty years. The Opry also has a program called Opry NextStage. It helps new, rising country artists perform on the Opry stage. More artists from different music styles, like folk, Americana, gospel, and blues, now appear on the show. In 2022, two new comedians, Henry Cho and Gary Mule Deer, became Opry members.
Celebrating 100 Years
The Opry celebrated its 100th birthday with a special concert hosted by Blake Shelton. Over 50 living Opry members attended. Opry 100: A Live Celebration aired on NBC on March 19, 2025. The Opry also traveled overseas for the first time. A show took place at the Royal Albert Hall in London on September 26, 2025. It featured Opry members like Luke Combs and Darius Rucker.
How to Listen and Watch
The Grand Ole Opry is broadcast live on WSM-AM on Saturday nights at 7 p.m. CT. There's also a Friday Night Opry and a Tuesday Night Opry for most of the year. Sometimes, there are Wednesday shows in the summer. An "Opry Country Classics" program also airs, focusing on older artists. During the holidays, there are "Opry Country Christmas" shows.
The Opry has a fourteen-piece house band that can play for performers who don't have their own band.
You can also hear the Opry live on Willie's Roadhouse on Sirius XM Satellite Radio. It also streams on WSM's website. Over the years, the Opry has been shown on various TV channels. Today, Opry Live is shown on some TV stations across North America. You can also watch reruns of Opry telecasts called Opry Encore on RFD-TV.
Becoming an Opry Member
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Regular performers at the Grand Ole Opry can be invited to become members. Opry management chooses new members. An existing member usually asks them to join during a live show. A few weeks later, there's a special ceremony where they get a trophy.
Being an Opry member means you perform often. Membership lasts throughout an artist's career. If a member passes away, their membership ends. However, if a group is a member, the other members continue. Also, performers who are retired or can't perform much anymore can still keep their membership.
The Opry has a wall of fame listing every member in its history. Becoming an Opry member is a huge honor, like being inducted into a Hall of Fame.
In 2022, Don Schlitz became the first member inducted mainly for his songwriting, not just as a performer. The Opry also invites comedians to join the cast. After the passing of Jeannie Seely in August 2025, there are 74 active members. The Opry Square Dancers are also special members who open every Saturday show.
Honors and Awards
- Peabody Award, 1983
- National Radio Hall of Fame induction, 1992
See also
In Spanish: Grand Ole Opry para niños
