If you’re looking for an indoor activity to escape the heat this summer that’s both fun and educational, head over to the Ryman Auditorium. While many locals are frequent visitors of the Mother Church when it comes to attending concerts and shows, there’s a wealth of history to be discovered through the renowned venue’s exhibits and tours.
You can learn the Ryman’s history on a tour and explore the rotating exhibits the historic venue has to offer including its newest exhibit “From Memphis to the Ryman”. This exhibit—which launched in April and will be open through the end of the year—commemorates 70 years since Elvis Presley took the stage at the Ryman to make his Grand Ole Opry Debut and his only performance ever in the hallowed venue. The performance took place on October 2, 1954, and marked Presley’s place in Ryman history.
Nervous that Presley and his band the “Blue Moon Boys” weren’t the right fit for the Opry, longtime manager of the Grand Ole Opry Artists Services, Jim Denny, was hesitant to let them perform but allowed them to play only if they sang the song “Blue Moon of Kentucky” by Bill Monroe, which was a B-side track on their record. The “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” was anxious before the show and is noted in the exhibit for stating “They’re going to hate me” before he went on stage. They received a lackluster response, but according to the exhibit the performance “has gone down as one of the most famous and controversial nights in Ryman history.”
The space the exhibit is held in was previously an old conference room that has been given new life as it will be used for rotating exhibits in the future.
The exhibit is narrated by none other than lead singer of Country group Old Dominion, Matthew Ramsey. From the time he was young, Ramsey was enamored with Presley devouring any music and books he could get his hands on that had to do with the artist and convinced himself as a child that he had a “spiritual connection” with Elvis.
“The Ryman is full of history and stories like this, and it's great to be a part of telling the story of someone who's had such a tremendous impact on music and culture, not to mention my own personal musical journey,” said Ramsey. “I’m honored to narrate this incredible exhibit marking the 70th anniversary of Elvis's historic Opry debut at the Ryman."
The exhibit features clothes worn by Presley and his band, guitars from the performance, telegrams and press releases from Elvis’ career, and even the contract that Elvis signed with Sun Records in 1954 just 64 days before he made his iconic Grand Ole Opry debut at the Ryman.
The exhibit “From Memphis to the Ryman” is included as part of all tour tickets. Be sure to check out other displays including “Rock Hall at the Ryman” and no Ryman tour is complete without a photo on the iconic stage!
For more information, visit www.ryman.com.
The exhibit is narrated by none other than lead singer of Country group Old Dominion, Matthew Ramsey. From the time he was young, Ramsey was enamored with Presley devouring any music and books he could get his hands on.