Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a country music legend? If you have, you would know that it takes an invitation to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry.
Join us as we stand where country music legends have stood and find out why The Grand Ole Opry is, “The Show that Made Country Music Famous“!
We’re out front of the Opry, awaiting our admittance into stardom!
It’s amazing to know this is the location of the longest running continuous network radio program in the WORLD!
Turning the corner, we are greeted with our GRAND entrance.
Only stars and special guests get to go backstage…..
Welcome to Stardom!
Immediately upon entering the building, we can feel the legendary musical talent.
We have acquired our necessary badge…. sticker….. then are seated in the audience pews for orientation.
Blake Shelton greets us over the TV, explaining the history of the Opry. We learn that the Grand Ole Opry has been in existence since March 16, 1974!
Backstage
Following the video, we are finally taken backstage, tracing the steps of stars such as Carried Underwood, Darius Rucker, Bill Anderson, and so many more.
Looking to our right, we can see one of the entrances to the main stage.
The pews here are actually originals from the Ryman Auditorium dating back as far as 1943.
Notice they have no padding…… fortunately for audience members, the pews in the current Grand Ole Opry have padding!
They use this set of pews for family members and special guests attending performances on the side of the stage.
We learn there is no valet service for the stars during their performances. They appreciate their down to earth experience.
After parking in the back, they enter these doors and walk through this overhang and head toward their dressing rooms.
Shrubbery reminds them of their stardom!
If you look closely, you can see the fountain that was brought in from Minnie Pearl’s home after her death. She was the first country comedian to become World Famous.
It is common for the performers to flip coins into her fountain as they walk by.
Known as the “King of Country Music”, his memorabilia is found throughout backstage.
The space before us is commonly used for filming shows such as “Hee Haw” and the television series “Nashville” are taped.
Nashville
Watching the TV show Nashville, Kali is pretty excited to have our tour further guided by Deacon Claybourne aka Charles Esten.
The white dress to the left was worn by one of the shows main stars Hayden Panettiere. Pretty exciting!!!
Minnie Pearl left quite a legacy at the Grand Ole Opry. We can see her spirit still living on through the walls backstage.
We can also see the importance Roy Acuff played in making the Opry what it is today.
Artist Entrance Lobby
We have now entered this reception area where visitors can …….
… send fanmail to their favorite country legends. Yes! Each of those boxes have a number that matches up with the stars.
We are told the music stars do read their fan mail from these boxes.
There are also placards lining the walls of all the current members of the Opry.
Recognize any of them?
Someday, maybe we’ll get into playing country music and our band’s name will be placed along that wall!
There are still some open slots…..
Must be a pretty exciting time to be invited to be a member.
Among the numerous displays is this yo-yo that was used by President Nixon on the premiere night of the Grand Ole Opry!
We are so grateful to see all the relics left of the past.
Dressing Rooms
Now that we are stars, we are taken down the hallway to choose our dressing room.
Some look more comfortable than others….
This one is full of rhinestones and glamor!
Lockers are provided for additional storage needs.
Pictures of inspiration adorn the walls as we are escorted around backstage.
Passing by the 90th Anniversary Member Art, we are excited for what awaits us….
Family Room
Looking closely at this painting called the Opry House Family Room. This was painted by Archie Campbell and later printed on this canvas for the Opry in 1981.
They believed it epitomized the performances at the Opry.
If you look closely, you can see the water line from the flood in 2010.
This “Family Room” is used for stars, like us, to await our entry on to the main stage.
On the left hand side, you can see the long bronze marker across the wall. This is the levels at which the floods reached throughout the Opry house in 2010.
We can even grab some nice refreshments as we await our stage time.
Doh! We forgot the cups!
We have finally found a dressing room that suits our needs!
This dressing room is typically used by the showcasing artist for the evening. No wonder we’re drawn to it!
Equipped with it’s own shower….
… and toilet…..
…. we find it fits us just right!
It is now almost time for our grand stage entrance!
Taking a moment to relax before our big debut is a must!
This is the same way performers such as Garth Brooks enter the stage before his performances.
On Stage
Bright lights, large pews……
… the beautiful backdrop….. All add to our experience.
We are so good, we don’t even need sound guys during our performance.
Looking down the lights of the backdrop, we can feel the excitement fill our bones.
The stage is ours, its time to perform…
Where is our audience????
Oh well, time to sing!!!
We are thrilled to have this opportunity to be invited onstage to share our talents.
While the bright lights may be intimidating for some, we quickly adjust our eyes to the brightness for our premiere.
Performing together in this 6ft circle, representing the Opry’s unbroken connection to history and traditions, is an experience we’ll never forget.
It’s now time for us to hang up our starstruck hearts and get back to reality.
We marvel at the stage representing so much dedication and love for music.
Maybe purchasing some souvenirs will help us get on our way toward stardom!
While we’re not quite famous yet, we are feeling inspired and anticipate the possibility performing for audiences.
We snap a picture of this nice group….
In exchange for one of us!
Leaving the Grand Ole Opry, we are filled with inspiration of what it means to finally reach the point of stardom.
Bright lights, center stage, we could not feel more at home.