The 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.

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 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.

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.

Platinum-award winning country music star Scotty McCreery shares his journey from North Carolina to American Idol and the top of the country music charts. American Idol was just a simple singing competition that seemed fun to audition for. Who knew what kind of doors it might open for a sixteen-year-old from Garner, North Carolina? Go Big or Go Home is the story of a kid with country songs in his soul. Daring to enter the limelight at a young age, Scotty found himself embraced by the nation, and even overseas, as he competed on season 10 of American Idol. In Go Big or Go Home, Scotty shares his journey from his North Carolina roots to winning America's most popular singing competition and launching the musical career he had always dreamed of. Along the way, Scotty teaches us: What it means to have an uncompromising faith The power of dreaming big The importance of embracing your God-given talents Join Scotty as he shares a glimpse of where he came from and the impact his faith, family, and friends have had on a humble guy who keeps asking, "Why me?" Praise for Go Big or Go Home: "Revealing, touching, and often humorous, Go Big or Go Home takes fans behind the scenes of Scotty McCreery's journey so far and pulls back the curtain on American Idol and the music industry while McCreery navigates the tricky waters of instant fame with grace, insight, and, above all, gratitude for the gifts he has been given." --Melinda Newman, music journalist "Being an artist takes you out of your comfort zone and thrusts you into the world. Some of what you experience you are prepared for and some of it you aren't. To quote the country music prophet Aaron Tippin, 'You've got to stand for somethin' or you'll fall for anything.' Scotty McCreery stands for something. You hear it in his voice. You see it in his actions. And you feel it in his songs. This book outlines the wild ride he's been on being thrust into the world." --Josh Turner, Grammy-nominated and multiplatinum-selling MCA recording artist and bestselling author