((PKG)) GRAND OLE OPRY
((Banner: Music City USA))
((Reporter: Lesia Bakalets))
((Camera: Sergey Sokolov))
((Adapted by: Philip Alexiou))
((Map: Nashville, Tennessee))
((NATS))
((John Shepherd, Musician))
There was a show and there is a show called the Grand Ole Opry.
((NATS))
This is the place to go. Like you have to come here if you’re going to come and enjoy the real authentic country music. So, here we are.
((John Shepherd, Musician))
And so that’s why people come here. Hello, my name is John Shepherd. We are at Robert’s Western World on Broadway in Nashville, Tennessee. Welcome to Nashville.
((NATS))
((John Shepherd, Musician))
I know next to 2,000 songs by all these artists you see around here. That’s what I do. I’m more like a jukebox. On this stage, 18 years. On that street, that block, 46 years. I play all kinds.
Blame it all on my roots, I showed up in boots.
Hey good looking, what you got cooking, how’s about cooking something up with me.
((NATS))
((John Shepherd, Musician))
People come from all over the world to be and see and listen to country music.
((NATS))
When the Grand Ole Opry came, it had some stars they needed to record. They couldn’t take them to New York every time they wanted to do a session. One company would move here, another company would move here and pretty soon, all the country music was done here.
((NATS))
((John Shepherd, Musician))
Ryman auditorium is right out that back door, the stage door of the Ryman auditorium, home of the Grand Ole Opry.
((Laura Jones, Tour Guide))
This is the artist entrance. It’s where all the stars come in. The bushes are in the shape of stars. They’re really making it work right, so.
To play at the Grand Ole Opry show, you have to be invited. So, you can’t just have, you know, your booking agent call and say, “Hey, I’ve got an act coming through town. Can they play?” Like, it’s more like, we, don’t call us, we call you kind of thing.
To be a member of the Grand Ole Opry, as a country music artist, that’s the ultimate goal. That means you’ve made it. That means you are a legend and you’re going to live on and it also means you’re going to have a home forever. You get your own mailbox. You are, you know, this is a second home to the artists. This one is Garth Brooks, 103. Dolly Parton. So, we have everything from legends to newer acts.
((NATS))
You have to stop here. You have to come to Grand Ole Opry when you’re here in Nashville. It’s iconic.
((Laura Jones, Tour Guide))
So, you have to keep in mind all of the famous stages across the United States. This is in the tops. We are one of the most famous stages that there really is anywhere. It’s unlike any other place in the world, really.
((NATS))
((John Shepherd, Musician))
And so that’s why people come here. It’s why you’re here. That’s why I’m here. Because thinking that maybe we’ll be a star in country music.
((NATS))