Grand Ole Opry Facts

Bill Anderson first walked onto the Grand Ole Opry stage in July 1961, 23 years old with one hit song. Fans call him Whisperin' Bill for his soft, near-spoken voice. He's 88 now. In July 2026 he passed 65 years as a member, the longest run in Opry history and the first ever to reach it. He retired from touring years ago. He still walks out onto that stage regularly.

The Grand Ole Opry played Nashville's Ryman Auditorium for over 30 years, until 1974, when the show moved to a new building. Workers cut a six-foot circle of oak from the old stage and inlaid it dead center in the new one. Every performer since has stood on that circle to sing. In 2010, a flood swamped the entire stage. The circle was dried out and put back in place. It's still there today.