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21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

The country music institution, as you've never seen it before.

By Carly Tennes

Published 5 months ago in Wow

Since its first show in November of 1925, The Grand Ole Opry has been a pillar of country music history. Hosting music legends like Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard, the Nashville, Tennessee institution has served not only as a cornerstone of the genre but also as a fitting backdrop to some of country's most iconic photos. 


From Johnny Cash and June Carter's backstage meet-cute to Linda Martell's historic set, here are 21 grand ole photos from the early days of the Grand Ole Opry. 

  • 1

    Country music legend Linda Martell onstage at the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. Despite making history as the first black female solo artist to perform at the storied Nashville venue, she faced racism throughout her career.

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 2

    “June Carter and Johnny Cash meeting for the first time. The Grand Ole Opry. July 7th, 1956. June later recalled, ‘I can't remember anything else we talked about, except his eyes.’”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 3

    “Merle Haggard at the Opry (1980).”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 4

    “Willie Nelson Grand Ole Opry 1965.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 5

    “My grandpa and his friend Johnny Cash backstage at the Grand Ole Opry, late 1950s.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 6

    “June Carter and Faron Young at Grand Ole Opry, 1955.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 7

    “Tom Waits, John Prine, and Bonnie Raitt- Grand Old Opry- 1973 or 1974.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 8

    “Grand Ole Opry Nashville, Tennessee - 1969.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 9

    Willie Nelson performs at the Grand Ole Opry, 1965.

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 10

    “March 10, 1979 Nashville, Tennessee James Brown played the Grand Ole Opry at the invitation of host Porter Wagoner. Photo: Les Leverett.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 11

    “Willie Nelson 1964 Grand Ole Opry.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 12

    “Jerry Lee Lewis being arrested at the Grand Ole Opry.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 13

    “America's first country music star, Uncle Dave Macon, with son Dorris. Grand Ole Opry stage. Nashville, TN. 1930’s.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 14

    “President Richard M. Nixon playing piano at Grand Ole Opry, 1974.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 15

    “Hank Williams with band performing on WSM radio's "Grand Ole Opry." Nashville, Tennessee, 1951.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 16

    “Pic [ca. 1930] of DeFord Bailey, the man behind the Opry. The Grand Ole Opry got its name because he was playing right after a block of fine arts music programming - 'Grand Opera.'"

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 17

    “Elvis visiting Backstage at The 950th Grand Ole Opry Christmas show: 21st December 1957 8.30pm - 9.00pm Network: NBC radio.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 18

    Johnny Cash performs “Ring of Fire” at the Grand Ole Opry, 1965.

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 19

    Dolly Parton performs at the Grand Ole Opry

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 20

    “Deford Bailey [1899-1982] integrated the Grand Ole Opry as early as the 1920s. (Photo date unknown).”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

  • 21

    “The Grand Ole Opry - Late 1920s.”

    21 Iconic Images from the Early Days of the Grand Ole Opry

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Wow History Trending Music

Tags:

grand ole opry country music history
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