The Ryman opened its doors first in 1892 as a church. In 1943 the Ryman became the home of the Grand Ole Opry till 1974. The Ryman was restored and in 1994 reopened as a concert venue. The Ryman has featured performances by a vast ecclectic many entertainers including Rufus Wainwright, Dolly Parton, Erykah Badu, Tallulah Bankhead, Patsy Cline, Bob Dylan, the Metropolitan Opera Company and many more.