On November 28, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee began broadcasting
November 28
An event every year that begins at 12:00 am on day 28 of November, repeating indefinitely
On November 28, 1925, the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee began broadcasting. The longest running radio program in U.S. history, the weekly country music concert began as the one-hour “Barn Dance” broadcast. Since then, the Opry has become famous for showcasing some of the biggest names in country music, including Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton, Hank Williams, and Johnny Cash.
Did you know? The show got its name because of comparisons with the very different preceding program, “The Music Appreciation Hour” which consisted of performances from the New York Symphony Orchestra. At the beginning of the show, Barn Dance host George Hay noted that “For the past hour, we have been listening to music taken largely from grand opera. From now on, we will present the Grand Ole Opry.” The name stuck, and the “Barn Dance” title was soon discarded.
Dancing on the Barn Floor, William Sidney Mount, 1831
-Written by Anna Zemaitaitis, Communications and Design Officer
