The show must go on: The Grand Ole Opry hits the road after home venue inundated by floodwater

Despite floods, Grand Ole Opry held across town

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The venue is different, the tickets are handwritten and the gear is cobbled together. But the floodwaters that deluged Nashville couldn’t stop The Grand Ole Opry.

Marty Stuart kicked off Tuesday night’s show, which was moved to the city’s War Memorial Auditorium after 4 to 6 feet of water from weekend storms flooded the Grand Ole Opry House east of downtown.

Stuart, an Opry veteran, says it’s not surprising the show went on: “That’s what we do at the Opry.”

Hundreds of fans waited patiently outside for the show to start, then clapped along as Stuart played an acoustic set.

The historic stage and dressing rooms were flooded at the Opry House. Officials say it’s not clear if the Opry’s archives, museum or collection of instruments survived.

On the Net:

The Grand Ole Opry: www.opry.com