Grand Ole Opry Reveals New Immersive Film, Custom-Built Theater

“Photo courtesy BRC | Grand Ole Opry; photo by Matt Blair”

The Grand Ole Opry has unveiled the latest upgrade to its daytime backstage tour, a new immersive film and newly custom-built theater, The Circle Room. The new film, hosted by Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, takes viewers through a behind-the-scenes journey of artists who have performed at the Opry. The film features archival footage of more than 100 artists.

In the film, Brooks and Yearwood stand in the Opry’s famous circle which moved with the Opry from the historic Ryman Auditorium to the Opry House more than 40 years ago and reflect on their first memories of the Opry, their Opry debuts, member invitations and inductions and more. The 14-minute film highlights artists from DeFord Bailey to Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Chris Young and Luke Combs, recalling memorable performances and Opry inductions.

The Grand Ole Opry Premieres New Immersive Film for industry guests in the state of the art custom-built Circle Room as part of the new backstage tour experience. The film was followed by a panel Q&A discussion about the creation of the 14-minute film. (L to R: Scott Bailey, Opry Entertainment President; Bill Cody, Opry announcer and 650 WSM AM host; Barbara Schaetz,VP Business Operations for Grand Ole Opry House; Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO for Ryman Hospitality Properties; Mark Wills, Opry member; Brad Shelton, BRC Imagination Arts Creative Director)
© Grand Ole Opry, Photo By: Chris Hollo

The new film is shown in one of the Grand Ole Opry’s newest additions, The Circle Room, a culmination of a $12 million expansion and renovation project at the Opry House, aimed at enhancing the guest experience. Other recent upgrades included a new retail store, added food and beverage options, a new parking area and plaza upgrades.

By day, the 1,500 square foot Circle Room serves as the starting point for Opry tours. By night, the room serves as a VIP lounge or a small live performance space. The Circle Room includes a theatrical LED lighting system, as well as a custom 23.1 surround sound audio system, with hidden speakers in the ceiling, walls and set pieces to allow audio engineers and designers to place sound anywhere in the show space. The space also allows for lighting changes to be made and for leaded crystal chandeliers to lower from the ceiling at the touch of a button to help instantly transform the space with a lounge feel. The new Opry Circle Room was designed and produced by BRC Imagination Arts, which has also worked with the Ryman Auditorium, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more.

“Photo courtesy BRC | Grand Ole Opry; photo by Matt Blair”

“For nearly 100 years, the Grand Ole Opry has offered fans a unique way to discover and connect with country music’s new stars, superstars and legends,” said Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer for Ryman Hospitality Properties. “ As visitation to Nashville and the Opry has continued to rise in recent years, we have seen unprecedented demand from guests for more ways to connect with artists through the Opry and its amazing story. This magnificent film is designed to immerse fans in the Opry experience from an artist-centered point of view to give them a glimpse into why playing the Opry has been described by so many as the pinnacle of their careers.”