Nashville, Tennessee
The Grand Ole Opry House is the permanent home of the Grand Ole Opry, the world's longest-running live radio program. Located in the Music Valley area of Nashville, this 4,400-seat venue opened in 1974, replacing the Ryman Auditorium as the primary host of the show. The stage features a distinctive six-foot circle of oak wood cut from the Ryman's original stage, symbolizing the unbroken connection between the Opry's history and its present.
Dedicated by President Richard Nixon, the Opry House hosts hundreds of performances annually, showcasing a mix of country music legends, contemporary chart-toppers, and bluegrass/folk acts. The venue offers backstage tours that give visitors a glimpse into the dressing rooms and the artists' entrance. It stands as a pilgrimage site for country music fans, representing the heart and soul of the genre's enduring legacy.