Grand Ole Opry at 100: A local’s guide to Nashville, Tennessee

Country music is in Nashville’s bones and there are few better ways to embrace this musical heritage than with an evening at the Grand Ole Opry, the iconic country music show that first aired on 28 November 1925. This year, the spotlight burns even brighter, as the legendary show celebrates its 100th birthday, marked by a series of special concerts (including a debut in London on 26 September).

To celebrate this milestone anniversary, we quizzed a local on the top experiences in the veritable home of country music – Nashville, Tennessee. These are best things to see, hear, eat and enjoy on a trip to Music City, according to local Dan Rogers, Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry.

The Opry is the living, breathing home of country music. Night after night, the past, present and future of country music are featured on its world-famous stage. The show is fast-paced, fun and offers a little bit of everything under the country music umbrella.

When you take a backstage tour of the Opry, you truly are walking in the footsteps of some of country music’s all-time greats. The show is an essential part of any Nashville experience because it features the best of the city every time the big red curtain goes up on another show. The Opry wouldn’t be the same without Nashville – and Nashville wouldn’t be the same without the Opry.

So many things make Nashville stand out, but my first answer is always going to be the great music. Nashville is where incredible songs are written, recorded and delivered live in venues large and small 365 days a year. The music coming out of Nashville serves as a siren song for even more talented, creative souls to move here and become a part of the fabric of this city we all love.

There’s truly something for every musical taste in Nashville, and you can come back again and again before visiting the same venue twice if you want. My recommendation is to explore online before you come to town to find artists you want to hear more from, then seek them out at various venues around town.

I personally wouldn’t miss at least one show at the Opry’s most famous former home, Ryman Auditorium. Any night at The Bluebird Cafe (a songwriter haven) or the Station Inn (one of the best places on the planet to hear acoustic music) is a night well spent. It’s an embarrassment of riches. If I weren’t at the Opry so many nights a week, I’d struggle to decide where I wanted to go.

The Grand Ole Opry House and Ryman offer tours of the iconic venues in addition to live shows. The Country Music Hall of Fame is a truly amazing immersive walk through country music history, and the National Museum of African American Music, just across the street from the Ryman, is the only museum of its kind dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of Black music in America.

Just as Nashville has something for all musical and culinary tastes, it has something for all seasons, too. There are festivals nearly year-round, including lots of free public offerings on plazas and in parks throughout Music City.

I love summertime, so I’m always going to suggest a summer visit for CMA Fest, but there are also great reasons to visit in the spring and fall, especially for the Opry’s birthday celebrations this year. 

If I don’t get to Arnold’s Country Kitchen for a traditional “meat and three” lunch at least once a quarter, I feel like I’m not treating myself right. High on my Arnold’s recommendation list: roast beef, fried green tomatoes, green beans and banana pudding.

Every neighbourhood has its own homegrown standouts, including Sperry’s in Belle Meade and Lockeland Table in East Nashville. Sample at least a couple of hot chicken establishments so you can contribute to “best of” conversations too.

Dan is Senior Vice President and Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry. In this role, he produces Opry shows up to seven nights a week and is shepherding the iconic show through its 100th year. Discover more at: opry100.opry.com.