Called "The Mother Church of Country Music," the Ryman Auditorium saw a historic chapter come to a close in 1974 when it closed its doors on 5th Avenue to move into new quarters at Opryland USA. Nashville photographer Jim McGuire had full access to the Ryman and shares over 100 stunning black and white photographs with chapter introductions and captions from the last year of this landmark and the most famous show in country music. Most of the photographs have never been published so come share the memories of this institution and your favorite legendary country music stars. With the foreword written by Garrison Keillor, and an introduction by Opry legend Marty Stuart, this book is a must-have for any country music lover.

Called The Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium saw a historic chapter come to a close in 1974 when it closed its doors on 5th Avenue to move into new quarters at Opryland USA. Nashville photographer Jim McGuire had full access to the Ryman and shares over 100 stunning black and white photographs with chapter introductions and captions from the last year of this landmark and the most famous show in country music. Most of the photographs have never been published so come share the memories of this institution and your favorite legendary country music stars. With the foreword written by Garrison Keillor, and an introduction by Opry legend Marty Stuart, this book is a must have for any country music lover

In a nation reinventing itself following victory in World War II, Nashville's self-portrait blended old with new. New businesses and skyscrapers, a shopping mall, the Interstate system, school integration, and other changes would ultimately bring Nashville into line with the direction of the nation at large, but alongside nationwide trends were treasures unique to the city: Fair Park for thrill-seekers, Sulphur Dell for baseball fans, the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman for music, and the Maxwell House for visitors still arriving through Union Station and now from the air at Berry Field. In this companion volume to Historic Photos of Nashville, Ashley Driggs Haugen leads a tour past many Nashville landmarks from the recent past, reminiscing with Nashvillians who can remember and informing those new to the city who may not. Nearly 200 images reproduced in vivid black-and-white show the Opry at the Ryman, construction of the L&C Tower, 100 Oaks Mall, the Municipal Auditorium, Harveys Department Store downtown, and countless other subjects from yesteryear that remain key to the city's past and present.

The best and most luxurious history of country music ever published, this 70th-anniversary tribute to the Grand Ole Opry has been selected by this beloved institution as its chief souvenir. The complete history of the Opry is given, from the early days of Roy Acuff and the Carter Family through Dolly Parton and Minnie Pearl to Garth Brooks and Reba McIntire--all illustrated with more than 225 photos, many in full color.

By the mid-nineteenth century, the city of Nashville was a vibrant cultural center of the South. Through the Civil War reconstruction, two world wars, and into a modern era, Nashville has continued to grow and prosper by overcoming adversity and maintaining the strong independent culture of its citizens. This volume, Historic Photos of Nashville, captures this journey through still photography from the finest archives of the city, state and private collections. From the Civil War, Exposition and the great fire of 1916, Historic Photos of Nashville follows life, government, education, and disasters throughout Nashville's history. The book captures unique and rare scenes and events through the original lens of hundreds of historic photographs. Published in striking duo tone these images communicate historic events and everyday life of two centuries of people building a unique and prosperous city.

The daughter of the Grand Ole Opry’s official photographer reminisces about witnessing country music history alongside her father in this memoir. Like many little girls, Libby Leverett-Crew’s father, Les Leverett, often had to work nights and weekends. But unlike many girls, Libby’s father took her along to his job—where he was the official photographer for the Grand Ole Opry for more than thirty years. First at the historic Ryman Auditorium, and later at the Grand Ole Opry House, Libby Leverett-Crew was a witness to country music history. And now some forty years later, she pays tribute to the wonderful people who touched the lives of her entire family while at the same time hearing witness to the powerful impact a loving father can have on his child’s life. In Saturday Nights with Daddy at the Opry, Libby Leverett-Crew shares not only her remarkable memories of those Saturday nights with Dolly Parton, Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Bill Monroe, and countless others, including assorted Muppets, astronauts, ballet dancers, actors, Andy Warhol, and k.d. lang, but also a beautiful father-daughter relationship. The book also includes more than 100 photographs from her father. Praise for Saturday Nights with Daddy at the Opry “Les Leverett has added so much class and talent to our world; I’m not surprised that his daughter, Libby, has done this book. Yeah, Libby good for you. I’m proud to have baby-sat you from time to time backstage. You were always a joy.” —Dolly Parton “There’s an old song, “I Was There When It Happened So I Guess I Oughta Know.” That’s [Libby’s] story inside the world of country music. I knew her first as Les Leverett’s kid. It must be in the water at their house because she’s come into her own as a masterful photographer. She also wields a pen that has a detailed memory for great storytelling.” —Marty Stuart

This official guide chronicles the story of the birthplace of country music as told by the people who were there. Escott presents the official inside history of the home of country music, offering fans an exclusive look into the heart and soul of country music. Full color, and packed with photos from the Opry Archives covering 80 years of history.

Newly expanded to include work from recent years, Honky Tonk is as evocative and irresistible as the music itself.