Post by bernard on Apr 4, 2009 3:54:11 GMT -5
BMNN wrote: on Apr. 03, 2009:
Nashville, TN -- Nashville's historic Ryman Auditorium has been named Venue of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. The award was voted on by the Academy's professional members and is part of the Industry Awards category which recognizes contributions to the success and longevity of country music. The 44th Annual ACM Awards show will be held this Sunday, April 5, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Special and Industry awards, including Venue of the Year, will be presented later in the year at the ACM Honors, held annually in the fall. This year's ACM Honors will be held September 22 in Nashville. Other recipients of awards at the September event include Poet Award winner Merle Haggard and Dolly Parton who was honored with the Jim Reeves International Award. The ACM established in 1964, supports and promotes country music around the world to both fans and professional members. This is the first ACM award for the Ryman.
The Ryman deserves recognition as an amazing place for any artist to play," says country legend George Jones. "For at least the last 10 years, I have played the Ryman Auditorium annually, and each year it was to a sold-out crowd. I also played there back when it was The Grand Ole Opry. I love its history and tradition and the warm feeling of closeness you get with the audience, and of course the amazing acoustics. It is definitely the Mother Church of Country Music."
About the Ryman Auditorium
A National Historic Landmark, the Ryman Auditorium was built as a church in 1892, served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-74, and was completely renovated in 1994. The Ryman is open as a museum during the day and at night continues its more-than-100-year music tradition by offering the best in live entertainment. The Ryman Auditorium is owned by Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET), a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that owns and operates Gaylord Hotels and the Grand Ole Opry. For more information, visit www.ryman.com.
The full news item is at
www.cybergrass.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=6153