What Is the Ryman Auditorium?
The Ryman Auditorium is located in Nashville, Tennessee, and was the first home of the Grand Ole Opry. It was created by Captain Thomas G. Ryman and opened its doors in 1892. The auditorium has hosted some of the biggest acts in music including Hank Williams, James Brown and Patsy Cline. Thomas G. Ryman, a riverboat captain, financed the building, which was first used as a church. Originally named the Union Gospel Tabernacle, the building was renamed the Ryman Auditorium after the captain’s death and was transformed into one of the top performance halls in the southern United States. It not only hosted musicians, but also acting performances from stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Rudolph Valentino.
