Opry

Opry commonly refers to the Grand Ole Opry, a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee. It began in 1925 as WSM Barn Dance on radio station WSM and was renamed the Grand Ole Opry in the late 1920s, with the term "Opry" becoming shorthand for the show and, later, the organization.

For decades the show was staged at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, from 1943 until 1974, earning the nickname “the Mother Church of Country Music.” In 1974 it relocated to the Grand Ole Opry House in the Opryland complex, where it continues to be produced. The Opry blends country, bluegrass, gospel, and related styles, with a rotating lineup of veteran stars and emerging performers. It is typically hosted by a master of ceremonies and features multiple acts per evening, sometimes performed before a radio and television audience.

The Grand Ole Opry has played a pivotal role in shaping modern country music, serving as a launching pad for many artists and a symbol of Nashville’s musical identity. It has adapted to changes in media, broadcasting via radio, television, and online platforms, while maintaining its weekly performance schedule. The Opry remains a major cultural and tourist attraction in Tennessee and continues to function as a living archive of country music history.