The Ryman-The Mother Church

Known as the Mother Church, and it truly feels like one, with amazing acoustics, stained glass windows, and hard wooden pews for seating, making it every bit the church it was when originally built back in 1892. It’s not always possible to take a professional camera in. Somehow, I need to get on the photographer’s list for the Ryman. 

The Ryman was built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. It became the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974, selling out every week for 31 years. It languished for almost two decades until, in 1993, renovations began to make it a world-class concert hall. Re-opening in 1994, and it continues to this day. It became a National Historic Landmark in 2001.

It’s not just a country music venue hosting every genre of music imaginable, from rock to hip-hop, classical, jazz, and pop.  Several artists have seasonal residencies there. We’ve seen Mavis Staples, George Benson, Squeeze, Nik Kershaw, Vince Gil, Amy Grant, and many others there.

Here are a few photos I’ve taken at the many shows we’ve attended, and being in Nashville you never know who might turn up and join the show!