RYMAN AUDITORIUM NAMED THEATRE OF THE YEAR BY POLLSTAR MAGAZINE
The historic venue receives the honor for the second year in a row

NASHVILLE, TN (February 8, 2012) – Friday night, at the 23rd Annual Pollstar Awards held in Los Angeles, California, the Ryman Auditorium was named Theatre of the Year for the second year in a row. The award was voted on by peers and is widely regarded as the most prestigious in the concert industry. The Ryman was nominated along with only five other theatres in the nation: Beacon Theatre in New York City, Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, Radio City Music Hall in New York City and Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie in Grand Prairie, Texas.

This marks the fourth Theatre of the Year win in the last ten years for the 120-year-old venue. The Ryman also is the reigning Academy of Country Music Venue of the Year.

"We are extremely grateful to our peers in the concert industry for awarding us this honor two years in a row," said Sally Williams, General Manager. "The Ryman is a very special building not only for Nashvillians, but also for music lovers all over the world. We continually strive to create memorable, unique experiences for all visitors – from the artists on stage to the fans in the pews."

2011 was full of memorable performances at the Ryman. Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Amy Grant & Vince Gill and Grace Potter & The Nocturnals all played multiple nights at the Nashville icon. Other notable concerts included Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Bon Iver, Daniel Tosh, Daryl Hall and John Oates, The Flaming Lips, George Jones, Glen Campbell, Jeff Beck, Kid Rock, Paul Simon, The Raconteurs, and Tom Jones. The Mother Church of Country Music also hosted a combined forty-nine Opry at the Ryman and Opry Country Classics shows, eighteen performances of the beloved bio-musical "Always…Patsy Cline" and its annual Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series featuring Dailey & Vincent, Doc Watson, Doyle Lawson, Ricky Skaggs, Sam Bush and Vince Gill. Television tapings included Austin City Limits Live's "Americana Music Awards," CMT's "Country's Next Superstar" and GAC-TV's "Academy of Country Music Showcase."

On January 30 the Ryman announced it would replace its stage for the first time in sixty-one years. In the days that followed, the historic stage saw two very special last performances. One February 2 Dierks Bentley took to the stage for his second-ever headlining Ryman performance to celebrate the release of his album, "Home." On February 3 the Grand Ole Opry closed out its seasonal run at the Ryman with a very special show featuring Opry members including The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Pride and Steve Wariner as well as Keith Urban. The show marked the first live performance by Urban since his recent vocal surgery. "It's just magical every time I play the Ryman," Urban commented to the Tennessean as he stepped off stage.

The new stage, constructed primarily of FSC certified Brazilian Teak, will feature an 18" section of Oak from the 1951 stage running across the front to honor the historical significance of past performances. The stage replacement project began on February 4 and will be complete in time for the headlining debut of The Band Perry on February 20.

The upcoming line-up of shows at the Ryman includes: NEEDTOBREATHE February 23 and 24, Lewis Black February 25, Diana Ross March 2, Mumford & Sons March 6, 7 & 8, Andrew Bird March 19, The Moody Blues March 21, Gabriel Iglesias March 23, Daughtry March 30, Kevin James April 2, Snow Patrol April 3, Merle Haggard April 11, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones March 14, The Fresh Beat Band April 15, Jammin' To Beat The Blues featuring Vince Gill & Friends April 17, A Prairie Home Companion April 21 & 28, Tedeschi Trucks Band April 29, Feist May 1, Trace Adkins May 18 and Todd Snider & Justin Townes Earl June 2. Opry Country Classics returns each Thursday March 29 – May 24.

NASHVILLE'S HISTORIC RYMAN AUDITORIUM TO REPLACE STAGE

NASHVILLE, TN (JANUARY 30, 2012) – Ryman Auditorium, the 120-year-old iconic venue that witnessed the evolution of country music during the Grand Ole Opry, the filming of "The Johnny Cash Show," world class performances by Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Wilco, Neil Young and so many more of modern history’s greatest entertainers, will replace its stage for the first time since 1951. The new stage will feature an eighteen inch section cut from the existing stage running across the front to honor the historical significance of past performances. A now famous circle of the same Ryman stage wood resides center-stage at the Grand Ole Opry House.

"Artists cherish the chance to perform here because they know they’re following in the footsteps of their heroes," said Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium General Manager. "Fans relish the unparalleled acoustics, the intimate environment and the ‘only at the Ryman’ moments that that are common here. By making this investment we are insuring that future generations of artists and fans will be able to enjoy these same experiences." The project will begin on Saturday, February 4 and the final events on the current stage promise to be suitably memorable. Dierks Bentley will return to the Mother Church of Country Music on Thursday, February 2 with a special concert celebrating the release of "Home," his brand new album. "I’ve told the story a million times about how I used to walk down the alley and touch the bricks of the Ryman on my way home from playing the bars on lower Broadway…it has always been one of the most precious places in Nashville and in country music to me,” said Bentley.  "My 'Home' album release show will have even more meaning to it now…the significance of that stage and who played there before me will definitely be in the back of my head all night. As a member of the Grand Ole Opry, I couldn’t be any prouder." Nashville roots-rock favorite Will Hoge will open the show.

The last performance on the stage will take place on Friday, February 3 when the Grand Ole Opry closes out its annual winter run at the Ryman. The show will feature Keith Urban’s first performance since vocal surgery, Opry members including Charley Pride and The Oak Ridge Boys and rising stars Eden’s Edge. During his last Ryman appearance, on GAC-TV’s "Music City Keep On Playin'" flood benefit in 2010, Urban said of the Ryman, "There’s no place I'd rather play."

The project will be completed within two weeks and the first public performance on the new stage will take place on February 20 as Grammy® nominees, The Band Perry make their sold-out Ryman headlining debut. "To play the Ryman is to step into country music’s rich history and we are honored to perform there. Now, as the venue makes plans for its future, we promise to inaugurate the new stage with all the respect and reverence it deserves," said Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry. The Band Perry is one of the country’s premiere new acts, having achieved platinum status with their current self-titled album, number one status on both the country charts and adult contemporary charts with their song “If I Die Young,” and Best New Artist awards from both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.

Installed in 1951, the current stage reflects the wear and tear of events ranging from simple acoustic performances to major theatrical, concert, television and film productions. Replacing the Ryman’s sixty year old stage is important to insure the integrity of the National Historic Landmark for future generations. In addition to offering an improved performance surface, the new stage will have a greater load-bearing capacity to insure safety and increased durability to withstand the strenuous production requirements of modern events.

During the stage replacement project, the existing hickory support beams will be strengthened with concrete at their bases and the joists will be reinforced with steel brackets. Additionally, new cross-beams will be put in place to further enhance the structural integrity of the stage. The current oak plank stage will be replaced with Brazilian teak certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, the same type of wood used to replace the Grand Ole Opry House stage after the 2010 flood. Currently, the Ryman's oak stage can bear 40,000 pounds of weight. By using teak products, one of the hardest woods available in the world, the new stage will be able to support up to 120,000 pounds. The size of the stage will remain unchanged at 60.5’ by 36.5’.

To honor its role in an unparalleled history of classic performances, an eighteen inch strip of the oak planks from the current stage will run along the front of the new stage. By combining the lighter oak of the past with the deeper colored teak of the future, performers will still have the opportunity to touch the stage where so many of their heroes once stood.

The project will begin the morning of Saturday, February 4. Craftsmen will work a minimum of 12 hour days, seven days a week to complete the project within two weeks. Around-the-clock security will be present as the current stage is dismantled and the oak planks are moved to an off-site location. An announcement on future plans for the historic planks will be made at a later date.

The Ryman will remain open for daytime tours throughout the project and will offer a special rate of $10.00 for self-guided tours daily from February 3 – February 20.

The Band Perry’s performance on the new stage will be followed by a diverse line-up of concerts and events including: NEEDTOBREATHE February 23 and 24, Lewis Black February 25, Diana Ross March 2, Andrew Bird March 19, The Moody Blues March 21, Gabriel Iglesias March 23, Daughtry March 30, Snow Patrol April 3, Merle Haggard April 11, Béla Fleck & The Flecktones March 14, The Fresh Beat Band April 15, Jammin’ To Beat The Blues featuring Vince Gill & Friends April 17, A Prairie Home Companion April 21 & 28, Tedeschi Trucks Band April 29 and Trace Adkins May 18.

RYMAN AUDITORIUM STAGE HISTORY

1892 - When the Union Gospel Tabernacle opened its doors in 1892, it was used primarily for religious revivals, most notably those by Reverend Sam Jones for whom the building was built. Although without a stage at the time, the building did host concert performances by artists ranging from Fisk Jubilee Singers to John Philip Sousa. It wasn’t until Tom Ryman’s death in 1904 that the venue was renamed Ryman Auditorium in honor of the man who was the chief benefactor and driving force behind its construction.

1901 - At the special request of the Metropolitan Opera, funds were raised and the first stage was finally built so that the Ryman could accommodate performances of "Carmen" and "The Barber of Seville." The addition of a stage made it possible for the Ryman to host luminaries from every facet of the entertainment business including the likes of Louis Armstrong, Charlie Chaplin, Helen Hayes, Katherine Hepburn, Bob Hope, Harry Houdini, Orson Wells and Mae West. Speeches were made by presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Taft as well as Williams Jennings Bryant and Booker T. Washington. The Grand Ole Opry moved to the Ryman in 1943 and for 31 years its broadcast served as a beacon to bring the pioneers of classic country music to the Ryman. Bluegrass music traces its origin to the Ryman where on December 8, 1945 Earl Scruggs joined Bill Monroe and Lester Flatt on the Opry for the first time. It was during an Opry show in 1949 that Hank Williams made his debut and was called back for six encores.

1951 - The Ryman’s existing stage was removed and replaced by a larger, more durable stage that allowed the venerable building to meet the production needs of performances at the time. The Grand Ole Opry entered the realm of television in 1955 bringing the likes of Roy Acuff, The Carter Family, Dolly Parton, Minnie Pearl, Marty Stuart and Porter Wagoner into homes coast to coast. Johnny Cash was among those who got his start on the Opry during this time. He would go on to film “The Johnny Cash Show” at the Ryman, bringing an eclectic mix of guests to the Ryman ranging from Neil Diamond to Stevie Wonder and from Eric Clapton’s Derek & The Dominos to Linda Ronstadt.

1994 - During the Ryman's major renovations in the early nineties, stage improvements included the addition of a proscenium as well as accommodations for modern audio and lighting systems. The Ryman's diverse programming has continued with the biggest names in show business including The Black Keys, Harry Connick, Jr., Kris Kristofferson, Lady Antebellum, The Raconteurs, Robert Plant, Van Morrison and more. The Ryman also has been featured in many television and film projects including "American Idol," Levon Helm’s "Ramble at the Ryman," Neil Young’s "Heart of Gold," "Coal Miner's Daughter," O Brother, Where Art Thou? concert film "Down from the Mountain" and Austin City Limits Live "Americana Music Awards."