The town kept their word in letting people of all walks of life come in and perform.

Not all were singers, such as Harry Houdini, Charlie Chaplin, Kathrine Hepburn, Will Rogers and Mark Twain. Artists of every kind, from all over the world have performed here.

Vince Gill claims that he prefers the acoustics in this buildings over Royal Albert Hall and Carnegie Hall.  He thinks it may be because of all the wood or the pews.  “Maybe it is because it was a church first,” he wonders and started to reminisce:

“Somebody asked me the other day, ‘Where do you go to church?' I said, ‘The Ryman,' (Hahaha). I love how historically it has been inclusive of all things— black, white, music, whatever it is. Louis Armstrong played here, B.B. King played here, (Italian tenor Enrico) Caruso and the Fisk Jubilee Singers sang here. It is everything and everybody. . . To me, the point of life is that everybody is welcome.  I talk about the spirit of this place and I felt it flowing through my body.  (The first time I played there in the 80's,) my body flushed with so much heat.  It was palpable and a little eerie, but I wasn't scared. I have only felt that two other times in my life. Once was at a funeral for a friend, and the other was at JFK's grave.”

Other than Country music artists, in recent years artists like Sam Smith, Foo Fighters, Jack White, Beck, Coldplay, and Mumford and Sons have played in Ryman Auditorium.  Others who have played involve Al Jolson, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, James Brown, and Bruce Springsteen.

It has recently been announced that the Ryman Auditorium will undergo $14 million worth of renovations.  The lobby is well known for being pretty cramped and too small of a space to support the long lines the theater takes in, so they are expanding the lobby.  The construction project is adding on a cafe to the building, along with better food and beverage services.  The box office is being reconstructed and improved upon as well.  The second floor of the auditorium is installing a new exhibit, featuring a film called, “The Soul of Nashville.”  As far as plans on  the historic auditorium itself, everything will remain unchanged since its' last $8.5 million restoration in 1994.

“The Ryman is living history,” says Shovels & Rope's Cary Ann Hearst. “It's unique to be able to stand and sing where your heroes sang. Until the early 90's, it was practically untouched. As a kid, I remember taking field trips there. We were taught in school to cherish our musical history and the Ryman was central to that legacy.  It's scary to watch so many physical changes happening to the building, though I realize it's perhaps financially savvy.  Nashvillians and music lovers in general are very sentimental about the Mother Church and hope it's forever preserved in a recognizable way.”

Larry Gatlin has performed in the Mother Church both as a solo act and also with his group, the Gatlin Brothers.  He insinuated that he has been “haunted by the venue's unparalleled significance.”

“When I sing out into that audience, I think the ghosts of Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, and Kitty Wells are all singing back to me.  I am not overstating it: It is the Bethlehem of country music, for heaven's sake.  It is the birthplace, the manger of country music.  With that old wood, it just bounces around in there and comes back to you.  It is lush and vibrant.”

So many local Country music artists have been effected by this monumental building.

Most believe it is the Mother of all that is Country music today.  It has been recommended that even if you don't like Country, but are a fan of music in general to make the trek out to Nashville and see a beloved artist of your choosing at least once in your life.  The acoustics of the old church are one of the best in the world.  That's enough for me to save up for the experience.

How about you?  If you have had the opportunity to witness an event or concert in Ryman Auditorium, please share your experience(s) below in the comment section.

For more of the full article, please go to: Rolling Stone

Photo Source: Corbis Images