Tennessee residents are invited to experience the historic Ryman Auditorium daytime tour experience free of charge, Sunday, Oct. 25, as part of Ryman Community Day presented by PNC Bank and supporting partners Hiller and Farm Bureau Health Plans. Complimentary self-guided tours will be available from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with presentation of a valid Tennessee state ID at the Ryman box office.
Together with parent company Ryman Hospitality Properties (“the Company”), best-in-class safety procedures and training have been implemented at the venue to help promote guest safety. The Ryman strictly adheres to operating plans developed with the Company’s wellness advisor, Vanderbilt Health, that meet or exceed CDC safety guidelines, and that have been in place since the venue reopened for daytime tours in June.
Guests can expect the following safety precautions:
- To ensure safe social distancing, the Ryman daytime self-guided tours are operating on a first-come, first-serve basis with limited capacity in the building.
- Staff receive temperature checks before each shift and will be required to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). This means guests will see staff in face masks during their visit.
- Guests are required to wear masks. If they do not have a mask one will be provided for them.
- Health screening questions will be asked of each guest before their tour.
- Guests will be positioned at least 6 feet apart while entering and exiting.
- There will be hand sanitizer stations throughout the building for guest use as needed.
- Cleaning protocols and precautions have been elevated above the recommended requirements with proactive sanitary and disinfectant measures. These protocols include dedicated staff members for frequent cleaning of high touchpoint areas.
“Ryman Auditorium has always been a beacon of hope and restoration, and our community takes great pride in the historic landmark,” said Gary Levy, Ryman Auditorium General Manager. “We’re grateful to PNC and all of our supporting sponsors for working with us during these unprecedented times to provide Tennesseans with the opportunity to revive their spirits and safely enjoy our daytime experience at the Mother Church of Country Music.”
The Ryman’s self-guided tour includes admission to the new Turn It Up! Ryman’s Rock Legacy exhibit, which focuses on the history of rock ‘n’ roll music at the Ryman. The new exhibition, which will run for three years, showcases the Ryman’s rich and rockin’ cross-genre past that extends far beyond country music. The exhibit features artifacts from Elvis Presley, Peter Frampton, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, John Mellencamp, Wilco, Neil Young, Steve Miller Band, Grace Potter, Drive-by Truckers, Bruce Springsteen and more.
“Music has the power to transcend boundaries of age, time and background,” said Mike Johnson, PNC regional president for Tennessee. “That power can be transformed to generate educational and entertainment opportunities that bring the community together to create a stronger, more vibrant region. Being part of Ryman Community Day provides an ideal stage to share our passion for the arts with Tennessee residents.”
Tours of the Ryman begin with a stop in the state-of-the-art Soul of Nashville experience. The film puts the audience at the center of the Ryman’s fascinating history as more than a century of iconic performances come to life on all sides of the room. The dramatic story of the building’s near demolition and rebirth climaxes with a new collaboration featuring Darius Rucker, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Sheryl Crow and Vince Gill. Once “Soul of Nashville” has provided an introduction to the Ryman story, visitors can explore the auditorium and enjoy daytime exhibits: “Workin’ on a Building,” “Roots Run Deep,” “Showplace of the South,” “Turn It Up! Ryman’s Rock Legacy,” and “Ryman Renaissance.” Guests will see genuine artifacts and enjoy videos with hosts Sheryl Crow, Nicole, Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs, Robin Roberts and Trisha Yearwood taking them through each chapter of the Ryman’s illustrious history. Attendees will also be some of the first to see just added artifacts from Country Music Hall of Fame member Alan Jackson including a jacket, signature Stetson hat, program and Hatch Show Print from his 2006 taping of “Precious Memories” at the Ryman. Fans also will be able to jump on stage and have their picture taken where so many legends have stood before them.
About PNC Bank:
PNC Bank, National Association, is a member of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). PNC is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States, organized around its customers and communities for strong relationships and local delivery of retail and business banking including a full range of lending products; specialized services for corporations and government entities, including corporate banking, real estate finance and asset-based lending; wealth management and asset management. For information about PNC, visit http://www.pnc.com.
About Ryman Auditorium
A National Historic Landmark, Ryman Auditorium was built by Captain Thomas G. Ryman in 1892. Ryman Auditorium is a 12-time winner of the prestigious Pollstar Theatre of the Year award. The historic venue is well-known as the Mother Church of Country Music and is the most famous former home of Grand Ole Opry (1943-1974). The Ryman has been featured in numerous film and television projects including Coal Miner’s Daughter, The Johnny Cash Show, American Idol, Nashville, and more. While offering a diverse lineup and thriving concert schedule (with over 200 shows per year), the venue is also open for daytime tours year-round. A coveted under-play for many, her iconic stage has seen the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Mumford and Sons, and Tom Petty in recent years. Ryman Auditorium is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP), a Nashville-based REIT that also owns and operates the Grand Ole Opry, 650 AM WSM and Ole Red. For more information, visit www.ryman.com.
About Ryman Hospitality Properties:
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) is a leading lodging and hospitality real estate investment trust that specializes in upscale convention center resorts and country music entertainment experiences. The Company’s core holdings* include a network of five of the top 10 largest non-gaming convention center hotels in the United States based on total indoor meeting space. These convention center resorts operate under the Gaylord Hotels brand and are managed by Marriott International. The Company also owns two adjacent ancillary hotels and a small number of attractions managed by Marriott International for a combined total of 10,110 rooms and more than 2.7 million square feet of total indoor and outdoor meeting space in top convention and leisure destinations across the country. The Company’s Entertainment segment includes a growing collection of iconic and emerging country music brands, including the Grand Ole Opry; Ryman Auditorium; WSM 650 AM; Ole Red and Circle, a country lifestyle media network the Company owns in a joint venture with Gray Television. The Company operates its Entertainment segment as part of a taxable REIT subsidiary.
*The Company is the sole owner of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center; and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. It is the majority owner and managing member of the joint venture that owns Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.