Summer 2009
Nashville, TN
21 June 2009
General Information
Local Map
Photographs and Commentary
Click on picture to enlarge
This morning we had brunch with Erin and Alicia who live a few miles from the RV Park. Erin, originally from Acton, MA is long time friend of our nephew Adam and daughter of Margot Law, my brother's girl friend. We saw them a few weeks ago at Adam's wedding in New Orleans and agreed to meet for brunch when we were in Nashville.
This afternoon we played tourist and took a Gray Line city tour. The tour took us through various parts of the city, tracing some of its history. Stops were made at Legends Corner Bar, Ryman Auditorium and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The highlight of the tour was the Ryman Auditorium. Ryman housed the Grand Old Opry from 1943 to 1974, when it moved to its current home. The Ryman is called the "Mother Church of Country Music" and, like many, I associated it strictly with country music. Its history is about more than country music. It was built as a church, Union Gospel Tabernacle, in 1892. Upon his death in 1904, it was renamed the Ryman Auditorium in honor of Captain Thomas Ryman, who raised the funds to build it. From 1904 until the Opry came to Ryman Auditorium, it served as a venue for operas, jazz recitals, religious revivals, even The New York Philharmonic played this house. Its acoustics are said to be second only to the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. Walking through the Auditorium you can see its heritage as a church... stain glass windows and pews for seats. When the Opry moved to its present home, the Ryman sat vacant for nearly 20 years and fell into disrepair until it was renovated and reopened as a concert venue. It is National Historic Landmark.
Ryman Auditorium
The Ryman stage as seen from the balcony. The Grand Ole Opry set is on the stage. The balcony was added in 1897 for a Confederate Veterans reunion. These seats are said to be the best in the house.
Legends Corner is down the street from the Ryman and is one of the bars that Grand Ole Opry regulars headed to after a performance.
The AT&T building (right) is locally known as the "Bat Building" because the twin turrets reminded people of Batman. At first AT&T did not like the popular name, but brought in the movie Batmobile for the building's opening.
Tennessee State Capitol, one of the oldest in the U.S.
Seen On The Road
While waiting for our tour bus to arrive at the RV Park, this one came in. It somehow doesn't give me a confident feel in the tour guide.