Ryman Auditorium hosts exhibit honoring Elvis’ Opry debut

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Seventy years ago, for one night only, Elvis Presley graced the stage of the Ryman Auditorium.

From controversy to celebration, one new exhibit inside the Ryman hopes to help visitors remember it all.

All the way from From Memphis, Elvis took the stage at the historic Ryman Auditorium on October 2, 1954.

The new exhibit inside the Ryman tells the story from the very beginning, narrated by Matthew Ramsey of Old Dominion.

“His voice alone fascinates me, I’ve always been just enamored by it, there’s such a smoothness to it, such a power to it and the same time,” said Ramsey.

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Alongside Elvis, stood lead guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black.

“It really does bring you closer to that experience and makes it feel like it really wasn’t that long ago,” added Ramsey.

At the time, the Ryman was home to Grand Ole Opry, and because of that, the performance certainly wasn’t free of controversy.

“We’re here to dispel some of the myths and tell the real story of what happened here,” General Manager Scott Walden said.

The performance would go on to be one of the most talked about performances in all of the Ryman’s history, with many concert goers wondering what happened inside the Mother Church that October in 1954.

It was reported at the time, then Opry Manager Jim Denny said Elvis didn’t quite fit the mold of the Opry.

The exhibit notes the King of Rock never performed there again.

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“It does kind of shock me, but that’s kind of the way it goes I guess,” said Ramsey.

As guests walk through, the exhibit hopes to captures it all from the very beginning.

From early talks with his Elvis’ manager, to the nerves he felt moments before touching that historic stage.

“Every artist that comes through in here can feel the gravity of it,” said Ramsey.

From Memphis to the Ryman, the exhibit is now open inside the Mother Church.

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