[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23247]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GRAND OLE OPRY, NASHVILLE, TN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM COOPER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 19, 2005

  Mr. COOPER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 80th 
anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. As one of the most 
renowned traditions in American music and broadcasting, the Grand Ole 
Opry continues to entertain and delight music lovers around the globe 
every week. Broadcast live from the Opry stage every Friday and 
Saturday night, the Grand Ole Opry is the Nation's longest-running 
radio show and the beloved home of our Nation's most celebrated music.
  The show's original host, George D. Hay, introduced the first 
performance in 1925: 77-year-old Uncle Jimmy Thompson, who could 
``fiddle the taters off the vine,'' played ``Tennessee Waggoner.'' 
Since then its audience has grown from a group of local Nashville 
listeners to the millions of music fans who tune in through satellite 
radio, television, and the internet.
  The Ryman Auditorium's original well-worn oak wood Opry stage has 
moved with the show's changing venues through the years and has hosted 
some of America's most legendary country musicians--Patsy Cline, Roy 
Acuff, the Carter Family, Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash, 
Dolly Parton, and Bill Monroe. For many generations of Americans, 
Minnie Pearl's cheerful shout of ``How-dee! I'm just so proud to be 
here!'' will forever signify the start of another memorable and 
captivating Grand Ole Opry show.
  My own personal connection to the Grand Ole Opry began when I met the 
legendary Opry duo Earl Scruggs and Lester Flatt during my father's 
1950s political campaigns throughout Tennessee. Like so many others, I 
tuned in every week to listen to the gifted musicianship of the 
performers. And in a visit I shared with Earl Scruggs not too long ago, 
he told me that growing up in Shelby, North Carolina, he would walk 
across the hollow to a neighbor's house just to listen to the show 
every week because his family didn't have a radio. Both accomplished 
musicians and fans alike continue to hold the Grand Ole Opry in the 
highest esteem among America's musical traditions.
  While the Opry has always stayed true to the musical roots upon which 
it was founded, it continues to evolve with the latest country sounds. 
The Grand Ole Opry's elite membership now includes accomplished artists 
like Martina McBride, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Brad 
Paisley, Patty Loveless, and Dierks Bentley who continue to entertain 
fans on the same oak wood stage every week.
  In its 80 years, the Grand Ole Opry has come to mean something more 
than a weekly country show. In addition to extending Nashville and 
America's musical traditions throughout the country and world, it is a 
way to connect with and pay tribute to America's musical influences and 
heritage. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the importance 
of this beloved American musical institution and to celebrate the 80th 
anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry.

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