More than a show, the Grand Ole Opry is a legacy that connects generations of country music fans
Some venues host concerts. The Grand Ole Opry makes history every single night. It’s the longest-running live radio show in the world, a world-renowned destination for music lovers, and a cornerstone of Nashville’s identity. As the Grand Ole Opry celebrates 100 years, we take a look at what makes it so special and how and when to visit. We’ll also explore how it has changed Donelson and made it not only a place to visit, but possibly a place to call home.
The Opry Origin Story
The Grand Ole Opry was held at the Ryman Auditorium for 31 years
The Grand Ole Opry didn’t start as a grand stage. It began as a sound on the radio. In 1925, the National Life and Accident Insurance Company launched its own radio station called WSM from a small downtown Nashville studio. WSM went live in October, and within weeks, program director George D. Hay put a 77-year-old fiddler named Uncle Jimmy Thompson on the air and launched the WSM Barn Dance.
Two years later, after an hour of classical “grand opera,” Hay leaned into the mic and quipped, “from now on we will present the Grand Ole Opry”, a name that stuck and a spirit that hasn’t let go since.
As the show grew, it needed rooms bigger than a radio studio. Through the 1930s and early ’40s, the Opry hopped between Nashville venues, always chasing more seats for a growing audience. In 1943, it settled into the Ryman Auditorium. But by the early 1970s, the demand had outgrown even that venue. After saying goodbye to the Ryman Auditorium, the curtain rose in a brand-new, purpose-built home: the 4,440-seat Grand Ole Opry House.
Hello, Donelson
The Grand Ole Opry House was built on a 4-acre site along the banks of the Cumberland River in Donelson, about 7 miles east of downtown Nashville. The move did more than give the Opry a fresh address. It changed the scale of what country music’s flagship could be. The Opry House offered room to grow, better backstage facilities, and production muscle for the show’s next chapter.
Television soon followed, first with a PBS special in 1978, then regular broadcasts by 1985, as the Opry family grew with stars like Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, and Patty Loveless. The 1990s brought milestone moments and new legends, from Minnie Pearl’s 50th anniversary to Roy Acuff’s final bow, while artists like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and Trisha Yearwood carried the torch.
Today, the Opry (now in its 100th year) remains the home of country music’s past, present, and future.
The Experience Then and Now
Once you step inside the Grand Ole Opry, you’re part of a story that’s been a century in the making
Walking through the doors and inside the Grand Ole Opry means stepping into almost 100 years of country music history.
Venues and Stages
The Opry’s journey mirrors country music’s own evolution from humble beginnings to grand stages. It started as a simple radio broadcast, with performers crowding into a studio before a handful of listeners. It then found a home at the Ryman Auditorium, a former tabernacle whose soaring ceilings and wooden pews would earn it the nickname “Mother Church of Country Music.” Within those brick walls and beneath that vaulted roof, legends were born and the Opry’s identity was forged.
The show then moved to its current home: the custom-built Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville’s Donelson neighborhood. This 4,400-seat venue was designed with the Opry’s needs in mind: expansive stage space, state-of-the-art sound and lighting, modern green rooms, and the infrastructure to broadcast to millions while hosting thousands in person.
Yet in this sleek, spacious setting, you’ll find a six-foot circle of oak cut from the Ryman’s original floor, a symbolic thread connecting every performance back to the Mother Church.
The Opry also returns to the Ryman for special winter runs, allowing fans to experience the show in both its historic birthplace and its contemporary home.
Formats
Then: From the 1920s onward, the Opry began as a radio show, live music over the airwaves, under the call letters WSM (“We Shield Millions”), with performers playing in front of a studio audience, then gradually to larger halls. This was a weekly fixture.
Now: Today, the venue, lighting, sound, broadcast/streaming infrastructure, guest experience, and merchandising are all upgraded. The weekly live show continues, with the Opry now featuring multiple artists (often eight or more) in a single evening, each performing short sets. The show is simultaneously a live event and a broadcast experience (via WSM Radio and other streaming options). Even if you’re just tuning in, you’ll feel the energy inside the Grand Ole Opry.
Apart from that, there are specialty shows (anniversaries, themed nights) as part of milestone celebrations (for example, the Opry’s 100-year celebration). The format keeps legacy acts, current stars, and newcomers in the mix.
However, at its core, it’s still the same: real country music, that famous circle, and a show that never misses a Saturday.
Tours and Visitor Experience
Then: The experience for the public was mostly attending the live show or tuning in on the radio. Backstage access was minimal compared to today.
Now: Visitors can step inside the Grand Ole Opry with a variety of tours that bring the venue’s legacy to life. The Backstage Tour gives guests access to artist-only spaces, themed dressing rooms, the “Family Room” where performers gather, and that iconic wooden circle. There are daytime tours and special themed tours (e.g., “Women of Country Tour,” “Country Duos Tour”) that often include extra touches like a mimosa or photo-ops.
Planning Your Visit
There are plenty of opportunities to visit the Grand Ole Opry; it’s been running for 100 years, and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. However, as 2025 comes to its close, there are some very special shows lined up.
Upcoming shows (Mid-October to Early January)
Here are selected upcoming shows at the Grand Ole Opry to give you a sense of what’s live and available from November 2025 to January 2026.
- November 28 (Friday): Opry 100th Anniversary Show
- December 1 (Monday): Opry Country Christmas
- January 2 (Friday): Opry at the Ryman: Opry 100
More than 20 Opry members will take the stage for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration that honors 100 years of country music, storytelling, and tradition while ushering in the Opry’s next chapter.
Experience Nashville’s most festive show, complete with dazzling lights and your favorite country artists performing classic Christmas hits.
Opry at the Ryman brings the Grand Ole Opry back to one of its most iconic homes: Ryman Auditorium, the original stage that helped shape country music history. As part of the Opry’s 100th anniversary celebration, this special run of shows features a dynamic mix of legends and rising stars.
Need to know info:
- Grand Ole Opry location: 600 Opry Mills Drive, Nashville, Tennessee.
- Parking: Pre-purchasing a parking spot is best.
- Photography: Some areas allow photos, while others may have restrictions depending on performance.
- Dress code: No ultra-formal requirement, but keep it respectful and comfortable since you’ll be in a large and live crowd.
- Timing: Arrive early to soak in the historic ambiance and lobby displays.
- Bonus: Many tours include access to exhibits celebrating the Opry’s history, especially during its 100-year celebration.
If you’re planning a visit between November and early January, check the official calendar (often updated) and purchase tickets in advance since high-profile milestone shows (like the Opry 100 series) tend to sell quickly.
A Local Legend’s Footprint
When the Grand Ole Opry planted roots in Donelson, it brought more than Saturday night shows. This legendary institution reshaped the area’s landscape, drawing visitors from around the world, boosting real estate, spawning new hotels and eateries, and fundamentally redefining what it means to live and work in this corner of Nashville.
Tourist and Hospitality Boom
When the Opry shifted to its new home in Donelson in 1974, it gave the show a larger venue and also placed Donelson on the national map. The 4,440-seat venue brought in concerts, live broadcasts, tours, and fans from across the country. That influx of visitors naturally boosted hotels, restaurants, and retail in the surrounding area since the Opry House could welcome thousands nightly and broadcast to a national audience.
The neighborhood transformed from a quiet residential enclave into a key part of Nashville’s tourism scene. With occupancy driven by audiences eager to experience a night inside the Grand Ole Opry, the hospitality industry in Donelson expanded. You’ll find dozens of hotels, motels, and short-stay accommodations clustered near the venue and airport, thanks in part to this steady traffic.
Shopping centers, restaurants, and services flourished in response. Outlet malls and eateries now cater to both residents and Opry-bound tourists, who extend their visits with overnight stays, meals, shopping trips, and neighborhood exploration.
Real Estate, Residential Growth, and Identity
The magic that happens inside the Grand Ole Opry has also helped strengthen Donelson’s appeal as a place to live. Less than ten miles from downtown, it’s a neighborhood of tree-lined streets, ranch-style homes, and winding trails, far more peaceful than you’d expect so close to the city.
You’ll find ranches, Cape Cods, and townhouse communities here, many of which were built in the 1950s and 1960s on spacious lots. The neighborhood’s character, paired with its connection to the Opry, creates a lifestyle that’s both relaxed and full of life.
Community Amenities and Connectivity
Apart from the Opry itself, Donelson has plenty to offer. Residents enjoy trails along the Cumberland and Stones Rivers, greenways, dog parks, and disc golf courses, all within easy reach of restaurants and shops. Local spots like Nectar Urban Cantina and McNamara’s Irish Pub draw neighborhood regulars and Opry visitors, while the nearby outlet mall adds shopping convenience.
Getting around is straightforward, too. Interstate 40, US Route 70, and the WeGo Star commuter rail station connect Donelson to downtown Nashville in under 15 minutes.
Cultural Center and Identity Anchor
The Opry has shaped Donelson’s identity in ways that go beyond the music. Hosting one of the country’s most iconic stages gives the neighborhood a story unlike any other. For residents, it means living next to the place where legends still take the stage and thousands gather each week. The weekly broadcasts, backstage tours, and visitor experiences all contribute to a sense of place you won’t find anywhere else.
The Opry’s presence here isn’t just about the building or the shows. It’s woven into Donelson’s economy, its culture, and its appeal as a place to call home.
If you’re thinking about calling Donelson home, its mix of music history, convenient location, and welcoming suburban lifestyle make it easy to see why so many already have. Visit our Donelson page to see what’s available and discover how this legendary neighborhood continues to evolve.
FAQS
How old is the Grand Ole Opry?
The Grand Ole Opry celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2025, marking a full century since its first broadcast on November 28, 1925. From a simple radio program called the WSM Barn Dance featuring fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson to becoming the world’s longest-running radio show and a cornerstone of American music, the Opry’s success proves that its live music, storytelling, and tradition remain timeless.
Where is the Grand Ole Opry located?
The Grand Ole Opry is located at 600 Opry Mills Drive in Nashville, Tennessee, in the Donelson neighborhood. It’s about nine miles east of downtown, and it sits next to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Opry Mills Mall.
How do artists become Opry members?
Becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry is one of the highest honors in country music. Invitations are extended by the Opry’s leadership team and existing members to artists who reflect the show’s spirit, talent, and tradition. Once an artist accepts, they join a circle that has included legends like Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, and Vince Gill.
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
Live a life of music and celebration in Donelson with the help of The LCT Team at Onward Real Estate
For nearly 100 years, the Grand Ole Opry has been where stories begin for artists, for audiences, and for the community that surrounds it. Donelson’s story is still being written, with new chapters unfolding as families discover what it means to live where music history and modern Nashville meet.
If you’re ready to write your own chapter here, The LCT Team at Onward Real Estate is ready to help you turn that vision into reality. Whether you’re relocating, upgrading, or investing, we’re here to make your venture as smooth and successful as possible. Reach out to us at 615.595.5883 or send us a message.