I'm a Grand Ole Convert
Written: Jun 28 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: A unique experience. Fun, affordable and a great night.
Cons: None
The Bottom Line: Try not to miss the Grand Ole Opry. I had no idea what to expect and I was delighted with the experience.
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| jo.com's Full Review: The Grand Ole Opry |
We went to The Grand Ole Opry on a Tuesday night in late May during our 3-month journey. The Opry as you might hear it called is the country’s longest running continuous radio program. It hasn’t missed a broadcast since its beginning in 1925. When I first read this I didn’t even understand what that meant. I was to learn once we got there that the shows are broadcast live on the radio with a broadcaster on stage. He has a podium and microphone. He stands on the stage to the left, introduces the acts and the commercials if the commercials need an introduction. Essentially he is what I think of as a disc jockey.
The night we were there he talked about upcoming events and welcomed the listening audience to the radio station (WSM-FM 650). This is a live performance. If you had been listening to that radio station on your car radio you would have heard the performers we saw, heard the commercials we heard (but we also saw pictures of the ham that was advertised projected on the screen) and heard us applauding.
Details:
The shows are performed at the Grand Ole Opry House located as part of the greater Gaylord Opryland located at Exit 11 off Briley Parkway which connects 1-40 and 1-65 in Nashville, Tennessee. It is 9 miles northeast of the downtown area. You will get to the Opry via the Opryland and Music Valley Drive Interchanges.
You will park for free in the huge lot for the Mall and walk about 5 minutes. There is no direct access to the Opry’s front door, however if someone cannot walk the 5 minutes you can leave them off at the sidewalk making it just a minute walk.
A schedule for each performance is not available until the Wednesday before each weekend’s shows. You can order tickets and should weeks in advance during peak summer weekends by calling 615-871-6799 or 888-777-67779. If the show is not sold out tickets are sold Tuesday for the upcoming weekend.
Shows are performed Friday at 7:00PM and 10:00PM; Saturday at 6:30PM and 9:30PM and during mid April – late December on Tuesday at 7:00PM. You will get and pay for reserved seating. The prices vary by where you sit from $24-$40. Children 4-11 pay $14-$40.
The weekend shows are 2 ½ hours which are divided into 15 and 30-minute segments with 15-20 performers. On Tuesday the show is 2 hours divided into 4 30 minute segments with 2 performers each segment so we saw a total of 8 performers. We saw Jim Ed Brown, BR549, Andy Griggs (Whose single was #17 on the country/western charts at that time.), Jeannie Seely, Jeff Bates, (Since leaving the area we have been listening to country radio stations. It's been a treat and surprising to hear two of Jeff Bates' songs that he sang at the Opry played over and over again on the radio. I thought he was an unknown!) Osborne Brothers, Bill Anderson and Mandy Barnett. I had never heard of any of these performers because I never followed what most would consider traditional country music. However a singer like Mandy Barnett is one whom many would not call traditional. People started leaving when she came on either so they wouldn’t be stuck in traffic or they didn’t want to hear non-traditional music. Although I prefer The Dixie Chicks and the late John Denver to Jim Ed Brown not all would agree with me. Before I get into the House itself I’ll tell you a bit about some of these performers and how we got tickets.
This was not during peak summer time and Tuesday nights are known as the shows with the lesser known names or as some might call the “the old timers” such as the Osborne Brothers. However Andy Griggs is anything but an old timer and it is very possible I saw another Garth Brooks before he became famous. If you intend to come, let’s say on June 10, you will have to have advanced tickets since Vince Gill and Pam Tillis are scheduled to perform. We purchased the tickets downtown. At the Visitor Center on the highway we were told if we went to the Nashville Visitor Information Center located at 501 Broadway they sell discounted event and hotel tickets. We got $5.00 off each of our tickets to the Opry. We paid $24 a ticket and were in row F. there are about 5 rows in the front before A starts so these were excellent seats. We were almost in the middle of the theater.
Jim Ed Brown may be well known to some. He first sang with his sisters as the Browns and in 1959 “The Three Bells” sold more than a million copies. It was the first Number 1 country song to cross over and hit Number 1 on the pop and rhythm and blues charts. The joined the Opry in 1963. Jim Ed went solo and in 1966 he recorded “Pop a Top” which went to Number 3 on the charts.
Bill Anderson was the first country artist to host a network game show and he was an actor on One Life to Live for 3 years. He had 2 number 1 hits in 1999- “Wish You Were Here” and “Two Teardrops.”
The last performer I’ll mention are the Osborn Brothers. They were accompanied by a fiddler, had a banjo and the required instruments to be a true country band. They started performing in 1956. Their bluegrass hit “Rocky Top” is an official Tennessee state song and the pep song for the University of Tennessee sports. Other hit records include “making Plans” and “Tennessee Houndog.”
The Grand Ole Opry has a rich history beginning on December 8, 1928. In 1974 The Opry moved from The Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville which has become a performance hall and museum to the 4400 Grande Ole Opry House at Opryland.
As we walked up the walkway we saw a small area around people could order drinks. These cannot be taken into the House but drinks are sold inside. We were greeted by women dressed as Minnie Pearl. They were wonderful. Their costumes included almost the exact hat with the price tag hanging from it. They greet guests coming to the Opry and have their picture taken as often as people want. I did get a picture, of course. We went into the very nice, large gift shop. You’ll find everything related to the Opry and more here including area theme items, potholders in the shape of a boot or simple denim placemats with a pocket for silverware and a napkin. We collect bells and found the best bell we own here!
We then walked into the lobby of the Opry House. I expected something more elaborate but in fact the lobby is very simple. In no way is the lobby like a museum. We were shown to our seats- or I should say benches. You will be sitting on benches however they have backs, are heavily padded and quite comfortable. The only problem is if you have children or just someone antsy in your row you will feel them moving around.
The auditorium is quite nice. We were on the bottom floor but all the seats are excellent. The bottom floor rises slightly so even in the back you will be able to see. There are also seats on an upper balcony. In addition to the large screen behind the performers there are large screens on each side of the auditorium as well as two smaller screens.
I was very taken, as are the performers, particularly the younger ones, who told us about the circle on the stage floor. This circle of wood was taken from the Ryman Auditorium so that there would always be the essence of the great performers who came before. The performers are invited into the Opry. There are currently 70. is quite an honor and I could feel their emotions as a couple of them talked about walking on this circle knowing some of the greatest – Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Clint Black, Barbara Mandrall – walked on that circle.
Jo’s final thoughts:
This was a huge treat. If you are in the area the Grand Ole Opry should not be missed. If some of the prices are over your budget consider the less expensive Tuesday night performance. Who knows what will become of the new performers and you may enjoy the old timers who are still playing and singing for the most part very well. Truthfully the only performer whose time has come and gone was Jeannie Steele. But it seemed she is well loved. Since I didn’t know her when, I could just evaluate her based on that night’s performance.
Postscript: Although we didn’t stay at the Opryland Hotel you must go see it. We were told how to get in without paying $8.00 to park. Just park in the mall lot as far away from the mall as you can. That will bring you close to the Hotel. The atrium of this hotel is magnificent. The Venetian’s River in Las Vegas doesn’t compare to theirs (although Opryland’s cost money to ride it). There are waterfalls cascading two floors down, dancing water fountains, flowers and vines more beautiful than I’ve seen in one place, benches to relax on, a food court, and ponds with fish in it.
I am leaving my reviews that chronicle this 3-month journey if you would like to follow along with me. Please feel free to leave a question or comment.
Applebee's in Ohio
Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky
Bella Notte This is a restaurant in Lexington, Kentucky.
Buckstaff Bathhouse This is in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Bicentennial Mall State Park in Nashville, TN
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, TN
Recommended:
Yes
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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