By Luis Andres Henao, The Associated Press
Great piece on The Ryman History.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Ryman Auditorium, affectionately known as the "Mother Church of Country Music," has a storied history rooted in faith and culture. Built as a place of worship, the venue owes its creation to a riverboat captain’s religious conversion after hearing an evangelist speak. More than 130 years later, the Ryman continues to honor its spiritual beginnings while standing as one of Nashville’s most revered concert halls.
"Technically it’s a building, but it’s clearly a living entity of some sort," said Jessi Woods, a tourist from Massachusetts. She visited the Ryman’s museum during a recent trip and later attended a performance by Postmodern Jukebox.
The Ryman's history began in 1885, when Rev. Samuel Jones, a Georgia evangelist, held a revival in Nashville. His sermons condemned the city's vices—everything from baseball and bicycle riding to drinking, prostitution, and gambling. Among those initially offended was Captain Tom Ryman, a wealthy riverboat owner who profited from selling whiskey aboard his ships. Ryman attended the revival intending to confront Jones but ended up converting to Christianity after hearing his message.
Following his conversion, Ryman not only stopped selling alcohol on his ships but also began dreaming of building a grand place of worship in Nashville. He envisioned a permanent space for evangelists like Jones to preach, free from the limitations of temporary revival tents. With Ryman’s funding and community donations, the Union Gospel Tabernacle officially opened on May 4, 1892, with a music festival.
The tabernacle didn’t house a dedicated congregation, explained Joshua Bronnenberg, curator of the Ryman Auditorium. "It was more of a place for, say, traveling evangelists to preach in, such as Billy Sunday, Gypsy Smith, or Samuel Jones,” he said.
After Ryman's death, the building was renamed in his honor. It soon became renowned as a top-tier music venue, hosting a wide range of performances. "What was built as a religious meeting place for Nashvillians," the auditorium’s site notes, "became a different type of sanctuary that grew bigger than Ryman ever imagined."
The venue was also known for hosting unconventional events. “You also had bizarre things: we’ve had boxing matches, circuses,” Bronnenberg said. “And alongside, we had funerals, civil rights protests. … If you had any kind of significant event in the city, it was here.”
Among those events were Southern Baptist Convention meetings and appearances by prominent figures like comedian Charlie Chaplin, magician Harry Houdini, President Teddy Roosevelt, and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
The Ryman’s acoustics, beloved by artists across generations, were shaped by its origins as a place of worship. “It’s Ryman Auditorium’s roots as a church that resulted in its impressive acoustics,” the venue’s website explains, “as the auditorium was constructed to project the voices, songs, and instruments of weekly church services.”
From 1943 to 1974, the Ryman also became home to the Grand Ole Opry, the most famous country music show of its time. The show, broadcast via the world’s tallest radio tower just outside of Nashville, brought country music to audiences nationwide. "Audiences across the U.S. had discovered a love for country music," the Ryman’s site notes.
However, after the Grand Ole Opry relocated, the Ryman fell into disrepair and remained vacant for nearly two decades. It wasn’t until the 1990s that the venue was restored, thanks to donations from artists and community members. Now with a seating capacity of 2,362, the Ryman welcomes music lovers from all over.
"It definitely has a soul feel," said Woods, reflecting on her visit. "And I don’t believe it’s just because of the musical acts that have been there, but there’s a palpable energy, for sure."
Today, the Ryman is fondly referred to as "the Soul of Nashville," a living testament to both its religious past and its vibrant musical present.
(Source: Luis Andres Henao, The Associated Press)
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