The Ryman Auditorium. READTHEORY Name Date

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1 READTHEORY Name Date The Ryman Auditorium It stands just a block off the street in downtown Nashville known affectionately as Music Row. An unassuming old theater, the Ryman Auditorium could easily be mistaken as just another building in any city. Indeed, if one did not know what the Ryman was famous for, one would likely just ignore the brick-covered, church-shaped structure. But the Ryman is one of the most important buildings in Nashville and one of the most legendary shrines in all of American pop cultural history. The Ryman is the historic full-time and current part-time home of the Grand Ole Opry, the show responsible for making country music a part of American life. When the Ryman first opened, though, one could not imagine its impact. Country music was not yet a genre, and the building was constructed not as a music venue but rather as a church (which probably explains why it looks so much like a church on the outside!). Thomas Ryman, a Nashville saloon owner and riverboat captain, had funded the building as a space to house the famed revivalist preacher Samuel Porter Jones. Ryman had actually gone to see Jones speak in 1885 with the intention of heckling the preacher for a lark. Instead, Jones oratory won Ryman over, and Ryman decided then and there to build a permanent revival tent for Jones. The Ryman Auditorium opened in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. Jones did use it for a series of revival meetings in the 1890s, and it became a regular church for other pastors too. Seeing an opportunity to make money on the venue, Ryman himself built a stage in 1901 to host touring operas from New York. The Union Gospel Tabernacle thus became a home of both religion and culture in downtown Nashville. Upon Ryman s death in 1904, Jones suggested the building be renamed for its founder, and unanimous applause supported the decision. Thus, with no objections was born the Ryman Auditorium. Over the next four decades, the Ryman transitioned from a church into a permanent auditorium. Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft spoke there, as did Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Macy. Will Rogers, Charlie Chaplin, Harry Houdini, and Enrico Caruso all had events there too. Judging by the list of names to appear there, the Ryman had clearly become an important Nashville institution. But, in1943, it would become even more important to the city, as it became the permanent home of the Grand Ole Opry. The Birth of Country The Grand Ole Opry is a radio program that airs nationally out of Nashville and features live performances by the biggest names in country music. While today Nashville is synonymous with the genre, before the Grand Ole Opry existed, this was not the case. The genre s rise along with the show s rise is a big reason Nashville grew into the city it is today. Nashville s history is not that dissimilar from that of the other river towns that dominated cultural life in America. Cities on rivers tend to be breeding grounds for motley musical blends. It is no coincidence that New Orleans birthed jazz, given the way cultures floated both down the Mississippi and in from the Gulf of Mexico to meet there. Similarly, St. Louis helped develop blues, with white

2 merchants coming down the Mississippi from the North and black migrants meeting them on their move from the South. And we all know about the role of Memphis (another Mississippi River town) in creating rock n roll. So it is with Nashville. The Cumberland River opened Nashville up to the country folk singers of the Appalachians as well as the blues of the Deep South. And its location in the center of the South made Nashville receptive the blues from St. Louis too. Thus, it was almost inevitable that country music that blend of Appalachian folk and black blues would be incubated there. Nashville became the home of many of the genre s earliest stars, and recording studios and concert venues made Nashville a city that all country performers had to pass through regularly. As the geographic center of the South and the eastern part of the Midwest, Nashville also became an important radio town, as its radio signal would stretch for hundreds of miles uninterrupted (since there were no other cities or mountains to interfere with the signal). Since the city had so many performers stopping through, it seemed only logical to feature them on the radio. In 1925, WSM put together a weekly showcase of these acts, eventually calling the program the Grand Ole Opry. The show grew in popularity and fanfare, and by the 1940s, the show was even picked up nationally by the NBC Red Network. As such, the show needed a large venue to support its larger audience. The program moved around various Nashville theaters until landing in the Ryman in 1943, just years before the start of country music s golden age. The Ryman, as such, became the host for the best-known country acts of all time, including Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Hank Snow, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, and Patsy Cline. The auditorium even hosted a young Elvis Presley, though he had a contract with the Opry s rival program, The Louisiana Hayride. The Ryman Today In 1974, the Grand Ole Opry opened a venue outside Nashville to house the show during busy tourist seasons. It still performs regularly out of the Ryman though during the off-season. Today, the Ryman Auditorium is officially recognized as a National Historic Landmark, even while it continues to host some of the biggest acts in music and film. Visitors today still even sit in pews, in honor of the revival show tradition embraced by the building s creator more than a hundred years ago. It is a welcome throwback to country music s traditions and a welcome reminder that downtown Nashville was not always full of glass skyscrapers and condominiums. More than anything, the Ryman serves as a bridge between America s cultural past, present, and future. 1) In paragraph 1, the author describes the Ryman Auditorium as A. impressive in appearance and unimportant historically B. impressive in appearance but important historically C. unimpressive in appearance and not worth preserving D. unimpressive in appearance but worth preserving E. unimpressive in appearance but important historically 2) According to the author, the Ryman Auditorium was originally built to A. make money B. hold concerts C. host political events D. hold religious meetings

3 E. host touring operas 3) According to the passage, the Ryman Auditorium first opened in A B C D E ) In paragraph 3, the word unanimous most nearly means A. harmonious B. scattered C. discordant D. uproarious E. laudatory 5) The purpose of paragraph 6 is to A. suggest that country music s history is similar to that of other genres B. argue that the Ryman Auditorium is the true birthplace of country music C. discuss the history of the city of Nashville, Tennessee D. imply that rivers are vital for trading economies to survive E. refute the idea that Memphis is where rock n roll was created 6) Paragraph 7 implies that country music s golden age occurred at the same time that A. Southern blues mixed with Appalachian folk music B. radio was still growing in popularity C. Nashville s downtown was growing D. the Ryman hosted the Grand Ole Opry E. the Ryman was made a historical landmark 7) According to the passage, each of the following performed at the Ryman as part of the Grand Ole Opry EXCEPT A. Patsy Cline B. Will Rogers C. Hank Williams

4 D. Merle Haggard E. Loretta Lynn 8) The author primarily considers the Ryman Auditorium to be A. a building of religious significance B. the main home of the Grand Ole Opry today C. a building in need of renovations D. a link between past and present E. the most important building in Nashville 9) According to the author, what physical characteristics of the Ryman remind a visitor of its original use? 10) The author describes the Ryman Auditorium as an important building in Nashville. In your own town, what do you think is one of the most important buildings historically? What makes it so important?

5 11) In paragraph 6, the author argues that river cities cause cultural collisions. What do you make of that argument? Are there other cities that have created cultural movements that are located on a river? Not on a river? What do you think creates new music genres or new art forms?

6 Answers and Explanations 1) E Core Standard: Integration of Knowledge In the first paragraph, the author introduces the main subject of the essay: the Ryman Auditorium s history and significance to Nashville. At first, he or she refers to it as an unassuming old theater and one that is easy to ignore, as it could be just another building in any city. Thus, the building is unimpressive in appearance. However, the author adds that the Ryman is one of the most important buildings in Nashville and all of American pop cultural history. Thus, the building is both unimpressive in appearance and important historically, making choice (E) correct. The author describes the Ryman Auditorium as an unassuming old theater and one that is easy to ignore, as it could be just another building in any city. This suggests that the building is not impressive in appearance, making choices (A) and (B) incorrect. Though the author does imply that the Ryman is unimpressive in appearance, as it is an unassuming old theater and one that is easy to ignore, he or she does not argue that it is not worth preserving. He or she actually never discusses whether the building is worth saving or not, as he or she never implies that it is threatened in any way. He or she instead only argues that the Ryman is one of the most important buildings in Nashville, regardless of whether it should be preserved or not. For this reason, choices (C) and (D) are each incorrect. 2) D Core Standard: Key Ideas and Details Paragraph 2 describes the original intent of the Ryman Auditorium. It states that Thomas Ryman was moved to build a church for the preacher Samuel Porter Jones whose oratory won Ryman over. Thus, the original purpose of the Ryman was to hold religious meetings such as those led by Jones. Choice (D) is correct because of this. The passage never discusses the financial means or goals of the Ryman Auditorium. Instead, the second paragraph implies that Thomas Ryman already had money-making ventures in his saloons and wanted to build the Ryman as a permanent revival tent for a preacher he had seen. Choice (A) is incorrect because of this. Though the Ryman would go on to host thousands of concerts, paragraph 2 makes it clear that it was originally constructed not as a music venue but rather as a church. Choice (B) is incorrect because of this. Though the Ryman would go on to host political events from Theodore Roosevelt and William Howard Taft, paragraph 2 makes it clear that it was originally constructed as a church. Choice (C) is incorrect because of this.

7 Paragraph 3 makes it clear that a stage was added to the Ryman in 1901 to host touring operas, However, by the time the stage was built, the Ryman had been open for nine years. Thus, the original intent of the Ryman was not to host operas, so choice (E) is incorrect. 3) B Core Standard: Key Ideas and Details To answer this research question, look for the part of the passage that discusses the early history of the Ryman Auditorium. This occurs in paragraphs 2 and 3. In paragraph 3 specifically, the author states that the Ryman Auditorium opened in 1892 as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. As such, choice (B) is correct. The second paragraph mentions 1885 as the year that Thomas Ryman first heard Samuel Porter Jones speak. Thus, 1885 is the year Ryman decided to build the auditorium as a permanent revival tent for Jones, but it is not the year the building actually opened, so choice (A) is incorrect. Paragraph 3 states that Thomas Ryman built a stage in 1901, making it clear that the Ryman s stage was built in The stage, however, was built after the building opened, and there is no indication that the Ryman itself opened in As such, choice (C) is incorrect. The year 1925 is mentioned in paragraph 7 as the year the Grand Ole Opry started, not the year the Ryman opened. Choice (D) is incorrect because of this. The year 1943 is mentioned in paragraph 7 as the year the Ryman began to host the Grand Ole Opry, but it is not mentioned as the year the Ryman itself opened. Choice (E) is incorrect because of this. 4) A Core Standard: Craft and Structure unanimous (adjective): fully in agreement and without any objection. In paragraph 3, the author recounts the death of Thomas Ryman and Samuel Porter Jones suggestion that the Union Gospel Tabernacle be renamed for its founder. This suggestion was supported by unanimous applause. The author implies that unanimous relates to supportive, then. He or she goes on to state that there were no objections to Jones suggestion, making it clear that unanimous means fully supportive. Of the choices, choice (A) is closest in meaning then, as harmonious means free from disagreement or dissent. Choice (A) is therefore correct. Paragraph 3 states that unanimous applause rose in support of the suggestion that the Union Gospel Tabernacle be rechristened the Ryman Auditorium and that there were no objections. This implies that unanimous means fully supportive. Choice (B) is incorrect, then, because scattered means in intervals and not all in the same direction, nearly the opposite of unanimous.

8 Paragraph 3 states that unanimous applause rose in support of the suggestion that the Union Gospel Tabernacle be rechristened the Ryman Auditorium and that there were no objections. This implies that unanimous means fully supportive. Choice (C) is incorrect, then, because discordant means disagreeing, nearly the opposite of unanimous. Paragraph 3 states that unanimous applause rose in support of the suggestion that the Union Gospel Tabernacle be rechristened the Ryman Auditorium and that there were no objections. This implies that unanimous means fully supportive. Choice (D) is incorrect, then, because uproarious means loud in noise. The author does not suggest that the unanimous applause was necessarily loud, so there is no connection between unanimous and uproarious. Paragraph 3 states that unanimous applause rose in support of the suggestion that the Union Gospel Tabernacle be rechristened the Ryman Auditorium and that there were no objections. This implies that unanimous means fully supportive. Choice (E) is incorrect, then, because laudatory means expressing praise. While the author does imply that the decision to rename the church the Ryman was supported, he or she does not imply that unanimous has the same meaning as praising. 5) A Core Standard: Integration of Knowledge Paragraph 6 primarily discusses the histories of various music genres created in various river towns. It opens by stating that Nashville s history is not that dissimilar from that of the other river towns that dominated cultural life in America. The author goes on to describe how jazz, rock and roll, and blues all originated in river towns and how country music similarly developed in the river town of Nashville. Thus, it is implied that the history of country music is similar to that of other music genres just as Nashville s history is similar to that of Memphis, New Orleans, and St. Louis. The main purpose of the paragraph is to make that suggestion, and the author uses the paragraph as a way of making a larger point about the significance of the Ryman to history in general. Choice (A) is correct as a result. The author does not state in paragraph 6 or anywhere else in the passage that country music was born at the Ryman Auditorium. Instead, at other points in the passage, the author only argues that the Ryman played an important role in country s history, though not until 1943, after country music was already established as a genre. Choice (B) is incorrect as a result. Though the sixth paragraph does partially describe the history of Nashville, it makes larger claims about the history of country music and the history of other cities in America. Choice (C) is incorrect because it does not describe the main purpose of paragraph 6; instead, it only discusses a purpose of the paragraph. The sixth paragraph does discuss river towns, but it never discusses the economics of them nor what role trade plays in them. Instead, it discusses how river towns create cultural collisions. Choice (D) is incorrect as a result.

9 The author does not refute the idea that Memphis was the birthplace of rock n roll in paragraph 6. Rather, he or she makes it clear that he or she agrees with the notion that Memphis played a role in creating rock n roll. As such, choice (E) is incorrect. 6) D Core Standard: Integration of Knowledge In paragraph 7, the author provides the history of the Grand Ole Opry and refers to country music s golden age starting just years after the show moved to the Ryman in As the show played at the Ryman for over thirty years, it follows that the golden age of country music coincided with the era the Ryman hosted the Grand Ole Opry. As such, choice (D) is correct. The author states that Southern blues mixed with Appalachian folk music to create country music, but he or she states that in paragraph 6, not 7. Additionally, he or she does not state that country music s golden age occurred right at the genre s onset. For these reasons, choice (A) is incorrect. The seventh paragraph makes it clear that radio grew in popularity at the same time that country music did: the 1920s and 1930s. However, it states that country music s golden age began just a few years after 1943, when the Grand Ole Opry moved to the Ryman. Thus, the genre s golden age did not necessarily coincide with the time period radio was growing, as there is no indication that radio grew in popularity in the 1940s and 1950s. Because of this, choice (B) is incorrect. The author never discusses how or when Nashville s downtown area grew. As such, choice (C) is incorrect because there is nothing in the passage to support the claim that country music s golden age occurred while Nashville s downtown area was growing. The passage states that the Ryman was made a historical landmark in paragraph 8. This question asks about paragraph 7, so choice (E) is incorrect. 7) B Core Standard: Key Ideas and Details To answer this research question, look for the part of the passage that describes the Grand Ole Opry s history at the Ryman. This occurs at the end of paragraph 7. There, the author states that the Ryman was the host for the best-known country acts of all time and lists some of the performers who played there as part of the Grand Ole Opry. The list includes all of the listed individuals except for Will Rogers. Rogers is mentioned as a performer at the Ryman in paragraph 4. Since this question asks for the performer who did NOT perform at the Ryman as part of the Grand Ole Opry, choice (B) is correct. At the end of paragraph 7, the author states that the Ryman, as the host of the Grand Ole Opry, was the host for the best-known country acts of all time. He or she then lists a number of performers who played the Ryman as part of the Opry. The list includes Patsy Cline. Since this question asks for the performer who did NOT perform at the Ryman as part of the Grand Ole Opry, choice (A) is incorrect.

10 At the end of paragraph 7, the author states that the Ryman, as the host of the Grand Ole Opry, was the host for the best-known country acts of all time. He or she then lists a number of performers who played the Ryman as part of the Opry. The list includes Hank Williams. Since this question asks for the performer who did NOT perform at the Ryman as part of the Grand Ole Opry, choice (C) is incorrect. At the end of paragraph 7, the author states that the Ryman, as the host of the Grand Ole Opry, was the host for the best-known country acts of all time. He or she then lists a number of performers who played the Ryman as part of the Opry. The list includes Merle Haggard. Since this question asks for the performer who did NOT perform at the Ryman as part of the Grand Ole Opry, choice (D) is incorrect. At the end of paragraph 7, the author states that the Ryman, as the host of the Grand Ole Opry, was the host for the best-known country acts of all time. He or she then lists a number of performers who played the Ryman as part of the Opry. The list includes Loretta Lynn. Since this question asks for the performer who did NOT perform at the Ryman as part of the Grand Ole Opry, choice (E) is incorrect. 8) D Core Standard: Key Ideas and Details The author s main argument about the Ryman is mentioned in the final paragraph. There, the author states that more than anything, the Ryman serves as a bridge between America s culture past, present, and future. Thus, the author considers the Ryman to be a link between past and present, and choice (D) is correct. The author states that the Ryman was originally built for religious purposes and that it still has elements that remind a visitor that it was once used as a church. However, he or she does not suggest that he or she primarily views the Ryman as a religious building, so choice (A) is incorrect. The author makes it clear in paragraph 8 that the Ryman is only a part-time home of the Grand Ole Opry today, so he or she does not primarily consider the building to be the radio show s main home. As such, choice (B) is incorrect. At no point in the passage does the author state that the Ryman needs or ever needed renovations. Choice (C) is incorrect, then, because it is not supported by the passage. The author does not ever state that the Ryman is the most important building in Nashville. Rather, he or she only refers to it as one of the most important buildings in Nashville. As such, choice (E) is incorrect because it is too extreme of an answer choice.