Pictured (L-R): Governor Bill Haslam, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Colin Reed, Kevin Triplett

Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam proclaimed Dec. 23, 2017 as a day to remember Captain Tom Ryman, and to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the historic Ryman Auditorium. Haslam presented a special framed proclamation to Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. CEO Colin Reed during Vince Gill and Amy Grant’s Christmas concert last night at the historic Ryman Auditorium.

“I congratulate Ryman Hospitality Properties, all those who have worked to make this building successful past and present, including the incomparable Lula C. Naff, who managed it for nearly fifty years, along with the descendants of Captain Ryman,” Haslam said. “Captain Ryman was correct when he said ‘this auditorium will be an ornament, not only to the city, but to the state, and when completed… it will certainly be a pride to all of us.’”

In May of 1885, Nashville riverboat captain and entrepreneur Thomas Green Ryman heard Rev. Sam Jones speak at a tent revival near the current location of the Ryman Auditorium and was inspired to build a grand tabernacle, where all would be welcome to worship.

In 1892, 125 years ago, the Union Gospel Tabernacle opened for events that included sermons, lectures, conventions and performances by the renowned Fisk Jubilee Singers. While delivering the eulogy at Ryman’s funeral on Christmas Day in 1904, Reverend Sam Jones suggested the tabernacle be renamed Ryman Auditorium. The beyond capacity crowd offered their unanimous consent with thunderous stomping and applause according to newspaper accounts of the day. The auditorium, world famous as home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-1974, has hosted a variety of the greatest entertainers and speakers of each generation for 125 years.

Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett said of one of his favorite venues, “The Mother Church of Country Music is renowned for its acoustics, but the experience is so much more than that. Sitting in those pews, one can sense the wake of some of the world’s greatest entertainers of each generation for nearly 125 years gracing that stage. Guests do not just watch a show at the Ryman, they feel it. And that experience can only be Made in Tennessee.”

The Ryman exhibit “Inspired: 125 Years of Performance” showcases attire from Johnny Cash, Little Jimmy Dickens and Little Big Town; guitars played by Jack White and Vince Gill; long-time Ryman manager Lula Naff’s collection of playbills. One of the highlights includes the Bible used on May 10, 1885 by Rev. Sam Jones. Visitors can get to know the stories with short films hosted by Emmylou Harris, Marty Stuart, Nicole Kidman, Ricky Skaggs and Trisha Yearwood as they take you through each chapter of the Ryman’s story.

Keeping with the tradition of hosting world-class acts and aspiring artists, the Ryman will play host to Old Crow Medicine Show on New Year’s Eve, Kelsea Ballerini on Valentine’s Day and Margo Price for three shows in May, among many others in 2018.

The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the 2018 class of Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of advanced-level interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry. This will be its 19^th year since the program’s inception in 2000.

Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 alums and each year approximately 25 individuals are invited to take part. Leadership Bluegrass 2018 takes place March 5-7 at BMI in Nashville.

The members of the class of 2018:
Greg Blake – Greg Blake Music, Jeff Scroggins & Colorado Overland Park, KS
Stacy Chandler – No Depression – Garner, NC
Patricia Ann Eaves – Eastern Tennessee State University – Johnson City, TN
Landon Elmore – Landon Elmore Design & Marketing Raleigh, NC
Daniel Eubanks – Special Consensus – Nashville, TN
Mollie Farr – Lost Buffalo Artists – Nashville, TN
Cathy Fink – Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer – Silver Spring, MD
Jessica Grossman – Northern Indiana Bluegrass Association – Huntington, IN
Patricia Imbrogno – Artist – Pittsburgh, PA
Maria Ivey – Press House – Nashville, TN
George Jackson – Artist, Booking Agent – Madison, TN
Emma John – The Guardian – London, UK
Katie Keller – International Bluegrass Music Museum – Owensboro, KY
Adam Kirr – Charm City Bluegrass, The Bluegrass Marketer – Baltimore, MD
Kara Kundert – Bluegrass Pride – Oakland, CA
Jeffrey Ludin – Bluegrass Country Foundation – Vienna, VA
Brett Martin – Junior Appalachian Musicians, Inc. – Independence, VA
Patrick McGonigle – The Lonely Heartstring Band – Brookline, MA
Matthew Miller – Rounder Records – Nashville, TN
Jeff Miller – Flashpoint Arts – Tuscaloosa, AL
Lenny Nichols – Central Texas Bluegrass Association – Round Rock, TX
Kim Robins – Kim Robins and 40 Years Late – Bloomington, IN
Ivy Sheppard – Born In The Mountain – Mount Airy, NC
Bil VornDick – Mountainside Music – Nashville, TN
Jef Walter – The Carolina PineCones – Durham, NC

Kasey Cleckler

Kasey Cleckler has joined the NSAI team as Director of Development. She brings with her over 14 years of experience in varied facets of the music industry – artist management, publicity, public relations and independent record label experience. Most recently, she spent nine years working in business management handling day-to-day business, contract negotiations, and multi-million dollar touring ventures for internationally-renowned pop and country artists and songwriters.

Cleckler graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Recording Industry Management. She is a MusiCares Ambassador and enthusiastic Make A Wish volunteer.

“I’m so excited about joining the team at NSAI. The work NSAI does on behalf of our songwriting community is something I am so proud to be involved with,” Cleckler said.

She can be reached at kasey@nashvillesongwriters.com.