Nashville's Ryman Auditorium is one of the most important buildings to Country Music to this day, well next to The Grand Old Opry. Before it served as a concert hall to Pop, Rock, Blues and Country artists, it was home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to 1974. Because of the Grand Ole Opry, it was nicknamed the Mother Church of where Country music and Bluegrass was born. Before the Grand Ole Opry, people from all over came to hear sermons from powerful preachers, as it was called the Union Gospel Tabernacle. The name changed once the builder of the church had passed away.Ryman Auditorium was named after Captain Thomas Ryman. After the Civil War, he made a living as a Riverboat Shipping Captain, catering to over 75 saloons in the Nashville area. When Samuel Porter Jones, a powerful preacher, moved into the city, his work threatened Ryman's liquor distribution business. Jones had started to draw crowds of over 2,000 people per night to listen to his teachings. Ryman decided to confront Jones, but he was in for a surprise. Instead of confronting him, Jones converted Ryman to the point where he vowed to build a large church where everyone would be welcomed with open arms. He followed through with his vow and put his plans into action. The Union Gospel Tabernacle opened to the public in 1890.Please go to the next page to read more on who has performed in the Ryman Auditorium, and what future changes the city will be making to the building.
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