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OPRY CELEBRATES WITH “SPIRIT OF NASHVILLE DAY” OCT. 2

Day Features Free Tours of the Newly Refurbished Opry House, Free Music on the Opry Plaza, Special Shows Saluting the City’s Spirit Following May’s Flood

Opry Member Dierks Bentley Hosts Simultaneous Opry House Tour On Facebook

NASHVILLE, Tenn.  (September 30, 2010) Having returned to its permanent home, the Grand Ole Opry House, Tuesday night (Sept. 28) after being displaced from the venue due to May’s historic Nashville flood, the Grand Ole Opry is inviting Music Cityto celebrate its homecoming during “Spirit of Nashville Day” this Saturday, Oct. 2.

The day will offer free tours of the newly-refurbished Opry House, free music in the Plaza beginning at noon with a free 6:00 p.m. performance by CMA-nominated group The Band Perry, food and beverage on the Plaza, and special Opry shows recognizing persons affected by May’s flood as well as many others who assisted with flood recovery efforts. Mayor Karl Dean will join the evening’s 7:00 p.m. show as an Opry Guest Announcer. Performers on the night’s shows include Charley Pride, Craig Morgan, and Academy Award-winner Kevin Costner.

The schedule for the day includes:

Free Opry House Tours                                             10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Free music on the Opry Plaza                                    beginning at 12 noon
Performance by CMA nominee The Band Perry            6 p.m.
Opry performances                                                    7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

For those unable to visit live and in person, Opry member Dierks Bentley, who is celebrating his 5^th Opry anniversary with an Opry appearance tomorrow (Friday) night, will host his own Opry House tour for fans around the world on the Opry’s Facebook page, also beginning at 10 a.m.

Among the Opry House enhancements/refurbishments Nashvillians and those online can expect to see Saturday:

--The Opry House’s signature element, a six-foot circle of oak wood taken from the historic Ryman Auditorium when the show moved to the Opry House. The circle was returned to its home center stage last month after having been painstakingly refurbished.

--18 newly-themed dressing rooms, each one now themed to celebrate some of the people and styles of country music that have made the Opry an American icon.

“Friends & Neighbors”-- showcases photos of some of the Opry’s fans from all walks of life who have visited the Opry, including Kevin Costner, Bob Hope, Anderson Cooper, and even Lassie, among others.

“Into the Circle”– showcases photos of some of country music’s top stars on the nights of their Opry debuts as well as memorable quotes from many of them. The words of Josh Turner are shown: “I was fighting back the tears out there. I couldn’t think straight. I was tore up.”

“Mr. Roy”– Dressing Room #1, occupied by Opry patriarch Roy Acuff during his years with the Opry, features photos of Acuff with a who’s who of friends. Acuff’s plaque reading “Ain’t Nothin’ Gonna Come Up Today That Me And The Lord Can’t Handle” still adorns the dressing room’s door.

--A refurbished Green Room doubling as an Opry Family Room with photos of monumental moments in Opry history and a decorative chair rail representing the water line from the flood.

--A new artist lobby including a Grand Ole Opry Member Gallery featuring placards with the names of all Opry members throughout the show’s 85-year history.

--New programmable lighting, new concession stands, and more enhancements in the main lobby.

--A completely reconstructed Opry Shop including “Country Comes Home” prints among thousands of other items.

“Spirit of Nashville Day” kicks off the Opry’s 85^th Birthday Month. Among other 85^thBirthday highlights:

--85th Birthday Bash Oct. 8 and 9:
Three weekend shows featuring Trace Adkins, Roy Clark, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, and more; an afternoon salute to country comedy; and all-day fun in the Opry Plazaincluding a free Opry Plaza Party. CBS’ Charles Osgood is scheduled to visit as part of the Opry’s “I’m With The Band” series.

--Opry Goes Pink Oct. 15:
Country Music’s legendary duo The Judds will take the stage to “flip the switch,” turning the Opry’s signature barn backdrop pink in support of breast cancer awareness month.  Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley will join the evening as a guest announcer. The 2nd Annual “Opry Goes Pink” event benefits Women Rock For The Cure^TM and the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.  

--Blake Shelton Opry induction Oct. 23.

--Plus other upcoming performances by Trace Adkins, Charlie Daniels Band, George Jones, Josh Turner, Chris Young, and more.

About the Grand Ole OpryThe Grand Ole Opry presents the best in country music live every week fromNashville, Tenn.  Celebrating 85 years of entertainment, the Opry can be heard on 650 WSM-AM, SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio, and opry.com. The syndicated weekly program, America’s Opry Weekend, airs on country radio stations across America and on the Armed Forces Radio Network. The Grand Ole Opry is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that also owns and operates Gaylord Hotels.  For more information, visitopry.com or www.gaylordentertainment.com