Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium plans free community day on March 26
NASHVILLE - In February Ryman Auditorium marked its 125th anniversary with the launch of Little Big Town’s year-long residency — and a promise from Sally Williams, senior vice president of Opry Entertainment Group, that additional parts of the multifaceted anniversary commemoration would soon be revealed.
The celebration will include Community Appreciation Day at Ryman Auditorium on March 26, The Tennessean reported Thursday.
“The community takes great pride in the Ryman, so it’s fitting that they’re part of our celebration,” Williams said.
The day will include complimentary self-guided tours for Tennessee residents with valid state identification. Available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the tour will include admission to the state-of-the-art film “Soul of Nashville,” a movie that highlights the facility’s expansive history from its origins as a tabernacle to a revered and award-winning concert venue. “Soul of Nashville” also features historic performances from country music icons Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline and Hank Williams, Sr. as well as a new collaboration comprised of Darius Rucker, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill.
In addition to the movie, guests can also see five new exhibits dedicated to Ryman Auditorium’s 125th anniversary: “Workin’ on a Building,” “Showplace of the South,” “Mother Church of Country Music,” “125 Years of Inspired Performances” and “Ryman Renaissance.” The displays include artifacts as well as videos hosted by Tennessee luminaries Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood as well as popular “Good Morning America” host Robin Roberts.
There will also be food and beverages deals at the Ryman’s Café Lula (buy one entree, get another for $1.25) and a 20 percent discount in the Ryman Gift Shop on merchandise including Little Big Town at the Mother Church products.
Courtesy of 650 WSM-AM, free live music will be available on the Ryman plaza outside Cafe Lula.
Community Appreciation Day is sponsored by Ryman partners Nissan and SunTrust Bank.
However, the Ryman’s 125th yearlong anniversary celebration goes beyond Little Big Town’s 10show residency and Community Appreciation Day on March 26.
Williams said she is “really excited about” a project she’s working on with Garrison Keillor and that she loves “the multinight (concert) phenomenon” at Country Music’s Mother Church.
In addition to Little Big Town’s year-long run of shows, Vince Gill and Amy Grant are set to play multiple Christmas concerts at the venue this holiday season and Americana singer/songwriter Jason Isbell will headline a run of five shows Oct. 10- 15.
Isbell, who will release his new album “The Nashville Sound” in June, couldn’t be more excited to command the Ryman’s historic stage.
“The Ryman is the legacy venue that has continued to improve over the years,” Isbell said. “I love playing there because of the legendary pedigree, but also because the Ryman would still be a great room even if it had opened up a week ago.”
Tickets to Isbell’s Ryman concerts go on sale Friday online at ticketmaster.com.