Ryman Auditorium

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Additional Press Releases

MARCH 15, 2002

IDOLS OF THE KING STARRING SCOT BRUCE, AS ELVIS, TO ROCK THE RYMAN APRIL 25-MAY 11

(NASHVILLE, Tenn.)---Idols of the King [link] starring Scot Bruce, part of the BellSouth Musical Series at the Ryman Auditorium, will return to Nashville April 25-May 11. The musical, by Allen Crowe, continuity director of the sitcom Designing Women and writer for Evening Shade, and Ronnie Claire Edwards, who gained fame playing Corabeth Godsey on the long-running family series The Waltons, is a behind-the-scenes look at the fans that immortalized the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.

Many hit songs made famous by the legendary entertainer are featured in the show including Blue Suede Shoes, Heartbreak Hotel, Burning Love, Love Me Tender, and Jail House Rock. August 16, 2002 marks the 25th anniversary of the death of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and this musical pays tribute to his legacy, career, and incredibly loyal fans. The director of the show is John Briggs and the producer is Carolyn Rossi-Copeland.

Scot Bruce, who portrays the role of Elvis, has an uncanny resemblance to the young King, along with an exceptional ability to sing, strum a guitar, and swivel his hips in this title role. He has traveled extensively throughout the world in this capacity, including Japan, China, Europe, and South America. He has appeared in character in videos with Faith Hill and Sheryl Crow, in addition to numerous television shows such as the E! True Hollywood Story biography of this internationally renowned icon.

This production is currently playing at the Barter Theatre and received a rave review in the Bristol-Herald Courier by Robert McKinney: "We -- and I include yours truly here -- who was never a real big Elvis fan -- were all clapping along, laughing, and reliving those old days when rock was still American, a pair of Levi's cost four bucks, and 'The Pelvis' was the King."

Tom Angland and Christine Rowan portray the fans and "the two of them have a sparkling chemistry," wrote McKinney. Both actors performed in tours of Pump Boys and Dinettes, among other shows.

The use of the Elvis impersonator is approved by Elvis Presley Enterprises and the show is licensed by Idols of the King Inc., Ronnie Claire Edwards.

Performances will be Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8 pm Tickets are $32 and $24 for adults and $16 and $12 for children under 12. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling (615) 889-3060 or (615) 255-9600. Tickets may also be reserved on www.ryman.com.

The Ryman Auditorium, a National Historic Landmark, continues its more than 100-year music tradition by offering the best in entertainment. Open daily from 9 am- 4 pm, excluding New Year’s, Thanksgiving, and Christmas day, the Ryman offers tours that showcase the legendary stars who have graced her stage, from country's biggest names to Mae West, Rudolf Valentino, and W.C. Fields.

The Ryman Auditorium is a property of Gaylord Entertainment, a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tenn. Gaylord Entertainment also owns and operates Gaylord Hotels branded properties including the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., and the Gaylord Pam Resorts and Convention Center in Kissimmeee, Fla. The company's entertainment brands include the Grand Ole Opry, Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, the Ryman Auditorium, the General Jackson showboat, Springhouse Golf Club, and WSM Radio. Gaylord Entertainment's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol GET. For more information about the company, visit www.gaylordentertainment.com.

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Ryman Auditorium

Marketing & PR Coordinator: Lisaann Dupont, (615) 458-8715 or email

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