Music city USA

Northwestern Financial Review, Dec 1-Dec 14, 2002 by Hilgert, Jackie

There's no denying country music's influence on Nashville's identity

Nashville is an anomaly. Walk downtown and you're more apt to bump into an art gallery than into a cowboy. Venture to the suburbs to tour a modern guitar factory or walk on the guitar-- shaped path that leads to Andrew Jackson's 18th Century home.

Visit the Parthenon where the gilded statue of Athena resides or drive past the homes of gold-record recording artists Faith Hill, Ronnie Milsap or Johnny Cash. Peruse the displays of cowboy boots at Robert's Western Wear then return after dark because the shop's been transformed into a Honky-tonk bar featuring cold bottled beer and live music. (And don't forget to tip the band.)

Nashville meets and exceeds all expectations of country music fans worldwide as the home of country music television, country music publishing, the Grand Ole Opry, Gibson Guitars and the Country Music Hall of Fame. But Nashville is an over-achiever; while its calling card is country music, it also appeals to art lovers and history buffs. To fully appreciate the contribution country music has made to the city of Nashville, and vice-versa, consider visiting the Nashville attractions described below. But beware. If you're like me, ambivalent about raw, fiddle-driven string music, you won't be in Nashville long before the romance of cowboy music sweeps you off your Yankee feet.

The Ryman Auditorium

In 1885, steamboat captain Thomas Ryman confronted his nemesis, Rev. Samuel Jones, who had been preaching against the evils of drinking and gambling -- two activities earning Captain Ryman substantial profits. But instead of confrontation, Ryman underwent spiritual conversion, abandoned his riverboat and launched construction of the Union Gospel Tabernacle, which opened its doors to the faithful seven years later. In 1943, after years of hosting revivals, operas, lectures and concerts, a popular local radio program called the Grand Ole Opry moved its act into the Ryman Auditorium where it entertained fans every Friday and Saturday night until 1974, when the new Grand Ole Opry House was completed.

While touring the Ryman, visitors sit in original wooden pews to view a brief video on the colorful history of the auditorium and can step onto the very stage where Hank Williams found fame and Minnie Pearl screeched, "Howwdeeee!" to a generation of fans. As warm light spills over the semi-circular rows of polished pews you can almost hear the applause that greeted Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline when they took center stage at the Opry.

The Ryman Auditorium is fondly called the "Mother Church" of country music because of its longstanding relationship with the Grand Ole Opry. Fortunately, for fans of both, their relationship is rekindled each winter when Grand Ole Opry broadcasts are once again sent out from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium. Halleluiah.

The Grand Ole Opry

At 77 years old, the Grand Ole Opry is the world's longest-- running live radio show. The show originated in 1925, when a young Nashville radio station announcer, George D. Hay, introduced an 80-year-old fiddle player, Uncle Jimmy Thompson, as the first performer on a new show called "The WSM Barn Dance." The show followed NBC's program, "The Music Appreciation Hour." One night, Hay announced, "For the past hour, we have been listening to music taken largely from Grand Opera, but now we will present `The Grand Ole Opry."' The name stuck.

Through the years, hundreds of artists have entertained as Opry cast members and millions of fans have traveled to Nashville to view live performances. Once you experience the entertainment package that combines pageantry, comedy and America's music, this thing called the Grand Ole Opry will not soon be forgotten.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

If you're looking for complete immersion into the country music experience, look no further than the bass clef-shaped Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The spacious light-filled atrium is a warm welcome for your walk through the history of our country's music. Once inside the glistening halls, read about the pioneers of cowboy music, listen to the yodelers (Jimmy Rodgers and Gene Autrey), revisit Roy Acuff's western swing, look closely at the video clip of a young Elvis (his hip gyrations were scandalous!), close your eyes and hear the difference between bluegrass and honky tonk, then marvel at the wall of gold records talented artists have accumulated through decades of service to the industry. If it relates to country music, you'll see it, touch it or hear it in this building.

Museum exhibits are laid out according to the evolution of the sound; touch screens, video and audio stations, and display cases are well-- spaced and items are grouped by era or according to music style. As you leave the museum portion of the tour, you'll walk into the Hall of Fame Rotunda where the industry's greats are enshrined. The building is brand new and, in and of itself, a sight to behold; considering the value of its displays, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is a must-see attraction for any one seeking understanding of country music, American history or American culture.