AI Description: Ryman Auditorium, located in Nashville, Tennessee, is a historic venue renowned for its significant role in the development of country music. Here's a detailed look at its history, cultural impact, and current status:
History: Originally built in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle by Thomas G. Ryman, the venue was intended to be a place for evangelist Reverend Sam Jones to hold revival meetings. Upon Ryman's death in 1904, it was renamed Ryman Auditorium. It transitioned from a religious space to a cultural hub, hosting various events like lectures (including by Helen Keller), performances by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, and political gatherings.
Grand Ole Opry Era: Ryman is famously known as the former home of the Grand Ole Opry radio program, which broadcast from there from 1943 until 1974. During this period, some of country music's biggest names like Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and Hank Williams performed, significantly contributing to Nashville's status as "Music City." The auditorium's wooden pews and excellent acoustics made it a legendary spot for live music, earning it the nickname "The Mother Church of Country Music."
Cultural Significance: The Ryman has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark, reflecting its importance in American music history. It's not only about country music; over the years, the venue has hosted artists from various genres, including blues, rock, and pop, thereby contributing to its diverse musical legacy. The venue has also been praised for its acoustics, becoming a bucket-list destination for musicians and music lovers alike.
Modern Times: After the Grand Ole Opry moved to a larger venue in 1974, Ryman fell into disrepair but was saved from demolition by community efforts and later renovated. Today, it continues to host numerous concerts, tours, and special events. It maintains its historical integrity while adapting to modern needs, including updated seating, sound technology, and accessibility. The Ryman also offers guided and self-guided tours that delve into its rich history, providing visitors with insights into its past and the legends who have graced its stage.
Visitor Experience: For those visiting, the Ryman offers various experiences like standing on the historic stage, exploring backstage areas, and shopping for memorabilia. The venue's gift shop and the Cafe Lula, named after former manager Lula C. Naff, add to the visitor experience. Its location in downtown Nashville makes it easily accessible and a focal point for tourists and locals alike.
Use Flickriver Badge Creator to create a badge linking to your photos, your group or any other Flickriver view.
You can place your badge on your Flickr profile, Blog or Website.
Add to your iGoogle or Netvibes page
Flickriver widget for iGoogle or Netvibes can display almost any Flickriver view - most interesting today, by user, by group, by tag etc. Once added to your personalized homepage, just edit widget settings to select your desired view.
Clickr on one of the buttons below to install:
Embed on your Web site
To embed this view, Copy and Paste the following HTML code:
Add 'Search on Flickriver' to your browser's search box. Works with Firefox and Internet Explorer.
Install search plugin
"View on Flickriver" Greasemonkey script
A Greasemonkey script that adds Flickriver links to various Flickr photo pages - user photos, favorites, pools etc, allowing to quickly open the corresponding Flickriver view.
Also, allows quickly viewing any Flickr photo on black background in large size.
