Grand Ole Opry

The best and most luxurious history of country music ever published, this 70th-anniversary tribute to the Grand Ole Opry has been selected by this beloved institution as its chief souvenir. The complete history of the Opry is given, from the early days of Roy Acuff and the Carter Family through Dolly Parton and Minnie Pearl to Garth Brooks and Reba McIntire--all illustrated with more than 225 photos, many in full color.

This official guide chronicles the story of the birthplace of country music as told by the people who were there. Escott presents the official inside history of the home of country music, offering fans an exclusive look into the heart and soul of country music. Full color, and packed with photos from the Opry Archives covering 80 years of history.

Country music is America's music, and the Grand Ole Opry is country music's home. Here is the story of the first fifty years, from Minnie Pearl to Uncle Dave Macon. Nearly 500 photos, including 265 in color, capture the excitement and nostalgia of this saga of down-home entertainment.

This volume is a study of the Grand Ole Opry from its beginning to 1940. The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of the genre since 1925. This detailed history and a group biography of the Opry's early years provides an account of the personalities, the music, and the social and cultural conditions that were such fertile ground for the growth of a radio show that was to become an essential part of American culture. The author traces the unsure beginnings of the Opry through its many incarnations, through cast tours of the South, the Great Depression, commercial sponsorship by companies like Prince Albert Tobacco, and the first national radio linkups. He gives colorful and engaging portraits of the motley assembly of the first Opry performers. With dozens of photographs and a complete roster of every performer and performance of these early Opry years, this work provides a full and authoritative portrayal of the colorful beginnings of WSM's barn dance program up to 1940, by which time the Grand Ole Opry had found its national audience and was poised to become the legendary institution that remains to this day.

While traveling to Nashville, Tennessee, Harry the hopping mouse gets separated from his family and visits many local attractions while trying to reach the home of country music where he hopes to be discovered.

Called "The Mother Church of Country Music," the Ryman Auditorium saw a historic chapter come to a close in 1974 when it closed its doors on 5th Avenue to move into new quarters at Opryland USA. Nashville photographer Jim McGuire had full access to the Ryman and shares over 100 stunning black and white photographs with chapter introductions and captions from the last year of this landmark and the most famous show in country music. Most of the photographs have never been published so come share the memories of this institution and your favorite legendary country music stars. With the foreword written by Garrison Keillor, and an introduction by Opry legend Marty Stuart, this book is a must-have for any country music lover.