The Ryman Auditorium is a place most, if not all, musicians want to play, not only because of its great acoustics, but because of the revered building’s history. Dierks Bentley will celebrate the release of his new album, Home, with a special show on Thursday (February 2nd), while Keith Urban makes a triumphant return to the stage with an appearance during the Grand Ole Opry as the last shows on the Ryman stage before it is renovated this weekend.
AUDIO: Dierks Bentley explains why The Ryman Auditorium holds a special place in his heart for him.
Dierks Bentley (The Ryman) OC: …the show. :45
“There’s certainly nobody that loves the Ryman more than me. I’m sure there’s equals in country music, but there’s no one that loves it more. I really have so much respect and awe of that building. I’ve stood in that building and I’ve been on stage and I’ve sat in the audience. I’ve been there obviously at the Opry too. There’s so many different types of music I’ve seen in there. I’ve seen everything that building can do. We all know the history of the building and what it’s supposed to do, and for me, playing downtown on lower Broadway, all those early years and late nights. I would walk along that alley and just think about where Hank Williams had stood, and the stories you hear about Willie Nelson walking across the alley to Tootsies and go drink beer and do other things, and just the history of it. It’s just an amazing building. It’s the mother church of country music and everyone talks about it and how important it is. So for me to play a show there, I don’t take it lightly…We’re really excited. It’s such a great opportunity to play there. It means the world to me to get a chance to play there. I’m really looking forward to the show.”
AUDIO: Keith Urban returns to the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, his first show since undergoing vocal cord surgery.
Keith Urban (return to Opry) OC: …the third. :09
“I didn’t have to cancel any other shows other than the Opry when I had my vocal surgery in November. So, the ones I wanted to do first was the Opry, so, we’re gonna be there on the third (of February).”
