The Grand Ole Opry has been a Nashville institution since 1925, since a radio announcer introduced fiddle player Uncle Jimmy Thompson on a new show called "The WSN Barn Dance." Two performance spaces and 94 years later, it's still the cement block that anchored Music City and has launched the careers of countless performers.
The Opry's newest backstage tour details that rich history with an immersive film—featuring Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood—in the custom-built Circle Room. It's the centerpiece of the Opry's $12 million expansion and renovation, and the stories of country music's most iconic artists come alive here; see the stars reflect on their first memories of the Opry, witness their inductions and watch their stage debuts.
After watching the film, guests head to the lobby for a presentation on what happens just before the Opry's red curtain goes up. Then, it's a visit to historic Studio A, the Opry's dressing rooms and a chance to step into the stage's sacred circle.
By night, concerts come alive in The Circle Room—it's equipped with a 23.1 surround-sound system with speakers in the ceiling, walls and set pieces, and imagery is projected on immersive surfaces that can become transparent to reveal sets and concert lighting effects. This VIP upgrade offers guests food and beverage options in a lounge setting and visits from an artist on the evening's show.