NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Country music's most famous radio show, WSM-AM's "Grand Ole Opry," has been on air since 1925, but the show didn't find a permanent home until the Grand Ole Opry House opened 40 years ago.
This weekend the Opry House will commemorate the anniversary with an all-star lineup of artists like Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, Clint Black, Diamond Rio and more. A new book, complete with 250 exclusive photos of behind-the-scenes at the Opry called "Backstage at the Grand Ole Opry," will be available for purchase and signing by the authors, Dan Rogers and Brenda Colladay.
President Richard Nixon and his wife were among the VIP guests that attended the opening on March 16, 1974, and he is the only president to have performed on the Opry. Opry member Roy Acuff taught him to play the yo-yo on stage, so the anniversary events will also include a demonstration by members of the Nashville Yo-Yo Club. Free self-guided backstage tours will also be offered and a 5K run/walk is scheduled for Saturday morning.
For more information or tickets, visit http://www.opry.com.
