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A resolution honoring the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.
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WHEREAS, the members of the Metropolitan Council are proud to recognize a legendary institution that has introduced country music, the City of Nashville, and the State of Tennessee to audiences worldwide; and
WHEREAS, the show has stood as a cornerstone of American culture for a century, influencing the way we experience live performance and serving as a place of hope during society's darkest periods; and
WHEREAS, the Opry's stage has launched careers, created legends, and inspired countless artists across genres-from country to gospel, blues, and Americana; and
WHEREAS, the Grand Ole Opry began as a small WSM radio program called The WSM Barn Dance on November 28, 1925, broadcasting eighty-year-old fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson as its first performer live from Nashville's National Life and Accident Insurance Company offices; and
WHEREAS, in 1928, the show was renamed "Grand Ole Opry" after a December 1927 show introduction by founder George D. Hay, "For the past hour, we have been listening to music taken largely from Grand Opera, but from now on we will present 'The Grand Ole Opry'" followed by a harmonica performance of "Pan American Blues" by musician Deford Bailey; and
WHEREAS, growing crowds of fans forced the Grand Ole Opry to relocate throughout Nashville many times - including from Studio C to the War Memorial Auditorium to the Ryman Auditorium, and eventually to its purpose-built present home, the Grand Ole Opry House; and
WHEREAS, Opry listeners began witnessing some of music's most transcendent and inspiring moments, from Elvis Presley's debut in 1954, Johnny Cash's Opry induction in 1956, to Ray Charles's soulful reinterpretation of country standards; and
WHEREAS, through the decades, the Opry would go on to launch the careers of legends like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Tammy Wynette, Minnie Pearl, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks and countles...
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