In late June, theRyman Auditorium – a Nashville landmark for more than 125 years, and one-time home to the Grand Ole Opry – reopened for tours after closing due to COVID-19. CBS Correspondent Mark Strassmann looks at the history of the Ryman, which has hosted not just country musicians but also legends of folk, rock and hip hop; and talks with some of the artists (including Sheryl Crow and Ketch Secor, of Old Crow Medicine Show) who have graced its stage.
With this being the 94th Birthday weekend for the Grand Ole Opry, and the fantastic Ken Burns documentary on Country Music concluded on PBS, I want to post a long ago forgotten song.
In 1974 the Opry moved from downtown Nashville to a new home about six miles down the Cumberland River. The Ryman Auditorium had such an acoustically perfect sound that it was restored in later decades, with the winter months of the famed radio show once again broadcast over WSM from that stage.
But at the time of the final show in 1974 it was mighty sad. In the Hank Locklin song, Goodbye Dear Old Ryman, the background voices of The Jordanaires can be heard. They were also the voices that sang background on so many Elvis recordings.
Grandpa Jones discovered the murdered body of his best friend David ‘Stringbean’ Akeman in 1973. In addition to that wrenching sight was the body of the Grand Ole Opry stars wife, Estelle. Both had been shot by John Brown, along with his cousin Marvin Brown. The two had waited in Stringbean’s home while listening to the Opry on WSM radio, awaiting the return of the legend after his final bow at the Ryman Auditorium. They were aiming to steal his money.
Marvin Brown had died in prison, but John Brown was seeking a way to get free, and thought modeling himself as an upright citizen would garner support. Some fell for the schtick, but not those that make the decisions.
Good call from those in power in Tennessee.
Today, the state parole board rejected convicted killer John A. Brown’s parole request for the 1973 slayings of Dave “Stringbean’’ Akeman and his wife, Estelle.
Chairman Charles Traughber and board member Chuck Taylor denied the parole. The request will be forwarded to the other five board members for review. Brown needs four affirmative votes to get released.
Dolly Parton is coming back to the Grand Ole Opry tonight. She’s been added to the lineup at the Ryman Auditorium, and the audience will be in for a truly amazing performance. It was while on the Ryman stage from 1969 that we watch Dolly perform a bluegrass song, “My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy’.
Keeping with the theme of the Opry, and the stage being dominated by Dolly Parton, I add this next video of Dolly and her famous singing partner, Porter Wagoner. The occasion was the 50th anniversary of Porter being on the Opry.
The classic sound of Porter and Dolly is such that it still makes record executives wish they could duplicate the magic today. Some sounds can never be re-created.
From the early days……here is Porter and Dolly…and….”Before I Met You”.
CAFFEINATED POLITICS 