From its construction in 1892, the Ryman Auditorium, named for riverboat captain Thomas G. Ryman, has been an integral part of America’s cultural fabric. Today this National Historic Landmark, lovingly called the Mother Church of Country Music, enjoys present-day status as both a beloved piece of Americana and a dynamic venue for contemporary artists.

With photography and text by Jim McGuire, Historic Photos of the Opry rediscovers a fascinating chapter in the history of the Grand Ole Opry and its most famous former home. Few of them ever published, more than 100 photographs taken by McGuire in 1974 are showcased here, brought to life through McGuire’s insightful captions. With a foreword by Garrison Keillor and opening remarks by Marty Stuart, Historic Photos of the Opry sheds light on a crucial period in the history of the Ryman Auditorium, the Grand Ole Opry, and country music.

“For those of us who were serious country music fans who spent many Saturday nights on those Ryman pews, the fact that the Opry was moving from that building was a very big deal,” McGuire says.

Historic Photos of the Opry takes us through every facet of the Opry and Ryman in 1974 through scenes onstage, backstage, and from its gritty neighborhood surrounding. In glimpses of bluegrass legends, famous country duos, bona fide American musical icons, and the Opry’s ardent fans, country music’s most celebrated phenomenon shines in glorious black-and-white photography, displayed in a large format.

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.