The Grand Ole Opry is about to give music fans a never-before-seen look behind
the scenes of the show that made country music famous. Two new Opry House
Backstage Tours, a VIP Behind The Opry Curtain Tour and a Post-Show Tour offer
backstage experiences during and following Opry shows, respectively. The new
tours are added to the Opry’s backstage tour line-up which also includes a
daytime tour featuring video host, CMA Entertainer of the Year and Opry member
Blake Shelton.
With the new VIP Behind The Opry
Curtain Tour, a limited number of fans at each Opry performance can for
the first time stand backstage as the big red curtain goes up on an Opry
performance. The tour also offers guests an exclusive intimate look at the
inner-workings of the Opry in the moments leading up to show time before they
are escorted to their seats in the Opry House to take in the night’s
performance.
Curtain Tour, a limited number of fans at each Opry performance can for
the first time stand backstage as the big red curtain goes up on an Opry
performance. The tour also offers guests an exclusive intimate look at the
inner-workings of the Opry in the moments leading up to show time before they
are escorted to their seats in the Opry House to take in the night’s
performance.
The new Opry House
Post-Show Tour features 2012 Opry inductee and Capitol recording artist
Darius Rucker as video host. Immediately following Opry performances, Rucker
shares with guests some of his favorite backstage moments and memories as they
visit areas occupied just minutes before by artists on that night’s show. Among
Rucker’s videos are “Opry home movies” sharing video footage of Opry debuts,
including Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and others;
vintage performances by Geroge Jones, Dolly Parton, and more; and an array of
Opry fashions and hairstyles through the years.
Post-Show Tour features 2012 Opry inductee and Capitol recording artist
Darius Rucker as video host. Immediately following Opry performances, Rucker
shares with guests some of his favorite backstage moments and memories as they
visit areas occupied just minutes before by artists on that night’s show. Among
Rucker’s videos are “Opry home movies” sharing video footage of Opry debuts,
including Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, and others;
vintage performances by Geroge Jones, Dolly Parton, and more; and an array of
Opry fashions and hairstyles through the years.
Opry member George Hamilton IV, known
unofficially as the International Ambassador of Country Music, is a frequent
participant in both tours, sharing stories of spending time backstage with
everyone from Patsy Cline in the early 1960s to the Opry’s currents superstar
members.
unofficially as the International Ambassador of Country Music, is a frequent
participant in both tours, sharing stories of spending time backstage with
everyone from Patsy Cline in the early 1960s to the Opry’s currents superstar
members.
Among
other areas and items seen on the two new Opry House Backstage Tours as well as
the Daytime Tour:
other areas and items seen on the two new Opry House Backstage Tours as well as
the Daytime Tour:
- A sampling of 18 dressing rooms, refurbished following the
Nashville flood of 2010. Each dressing room is decorated with a unique theme
including “Cousin Minnie,” “Wagonmaster,” “Little Jimmy,” and “Mr. Roy,”
(honoring Opry greats Minnie Pearl, Porter Wagoner, Jimmy Dickens, and Roy
Acuff, respectively.) Other dressing rooms celebrate “Honky Tonk Angels,” “The
Cowboy Way,” and “Friends and Neighbors,” famous personalities from all walks of
life who have visited the American institution. - Opry Member Gallery, on which each member in the Opry’s
87-year history is recognized, from Uncle Jimmy Thompson to Rucker. - The Opry House Family Room, home to the Opry’s most
treasured photos, including those of visits by U.S. Presidents, Opry
performances at Carnegie Hall, and more. - Opry House Studio A, where dozens of TV series and specials
have been filmed through the years, including the most famous of all, HEE
HAW. - The Opry stage, the most famous stage in country music and
home of the famed circle of wood moved to the Opry House from the Opry’s most
famous former home, the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Each of the Opry’s three tours are available
now. Opry Post-Show Tours are available on nights in which there is only one
Opry performance. Tickets and information are available at opry.com,
800-SEE-OPRY, and at the Opry House Box Office.
now. Opry Post-Show Tours are available on nights in which there is only one
Opry performance. Tickets and information are available at opry.com,
800-SEE-OPRY, and at the Opry House Box Office.
Photos courtesy Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo
