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10 Surprising Facts About The Grand Ole Opry

By Lauryn Snapp

Known as "country's most famous stage," the Grand Ole Opry is home to the world's longest-running radio show, in country music or otherwise. The Opry's radio broadcasts began on Nov. 28, 1925, and a weekly show has been broadcast for more than 4,600 consecutive Saturday nights.

How well do you know your Opry history? Here are 10 facts about the Grand Ole Opry that only the biggest country music history fans know.

  1. In 95 years, the Grand Ole Opry has had six homes, starting in 1925 in downtown Nashville, then moving to its current complex in 1974. 
  2. The Grand Ole Opry's original name was 'WSM Barn Dance' which aired classical music and grand opera selections, in 1927 it was changed to the Grand Old Opry.
  3. It takes a giant transmission tower, located in Brentwood TN, and 15.8 million feet of audio, visual and lighting cable to bring the Grand Ole Opry to life.
  4. Uncle Jimmy Thompson 77-year-old fiddle player, was the first performer on the Grand Ole Opry.
  5. Known as one of the highest achievements in County Music the Grand Ole Opry has inducted more than 200 members.
  6. The youngest member of the Grand Old Opry is Kelsea Ballerini. 
  7. In 1974 President Richard Nixon played the piano at the Grand Old Opry as a tribute to his wife. 
  8. When the Opry moved from the Ryman Auditorium, A six-foot circle of wood was cut out from the Ryman stage and installed in the new Grand Ole Opry House.
  9. The Grand Ole Opry is one of the top tourist attractions in Nashville, about 6,000 songs are performed at the Grand Ole Opry each year.
  10. Elvis Presley aka 'The King of Rock' n' Roll' took the Opry stage in 1954, but his rockabilly sound mixed with his now-iconic pelvic gyrations weren't well-received by the audience at the Ryman Auditorium. 

How many of these facts were "old news" to you? Let Cody Alan know on Twitter at @CodyAlan.

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Photo Credit: Getty Images.