Lunch and Learn: 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry features today’s country music stars, superstars, and rising stars all on one stage, every week in Nashville, Tennessee—Music City, USA. Their world-famous show is where aspiring stars dream of playing and music lovers connect with their favorite artists up close at the Opry House. From the radio show that made it famous in 1925 to the cultural landmark and global phenomenon it is today, the Opry is the country's biggest stage.

​Craig Shelburne grew up in rural Nebraska watching the Grand Ole Opry on TNN. He moved to Nashville in 1994 and earned a journalism degree from Belmont University. He has written for the Bluegrass Situation, CMT.com, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Folk Alliance International, International Bluegrass Music Association, MusicRow magazine, and many other outlets. In addition, he has produced three AMERICANAFEST music festivals for the Americana Music Association. This is his first book.

Ryan Dooley is a music historian living in Nashville. He studied bluegrass, old time, and country music at East Tennessee State University and received his MA in History from Middle Tennessee State University. Dooley’s area of focus is on Atlantic history and the music of enslaved peoples in the Americas. Ryan is the Senior Curator of Music at the Tennessee State Museum

This Lunch and Learn event is in-person in the Museum’s Digital Learning Center at 12:00. No RSVPs are required to attend this free event. It will also be livestreamed on the Museum’s website at TNMuseum.org/Videos. If you have any questions, please email UHVibGljICEgUHJvZ3JhbXMgfCB0biAhIGdvdiAhIEJveGVk lunches made by Apple Spice Nashville are available for purchase for $12.24 to enjoy during the event. The lunches will include a sandwich, chips, and a cookie. Lunch orders must be placed by noon on Tuesday August 19, 2025. Please order your boxed lunch on the ticket registration page.

Also check out other Festivals in Nashville.