.jpg)
Over the summer of 2022, the Ritchie Family took a long weekend trip to see one of our favorite performers play at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. The Ryman Auditorium was originally built in 1892 and was originally known as the "Union Gospel Tabernacle." It was built by the inspiration of a charismatic evangelist, Same Jones, and a wealthy Nashville Riverboat captain by the name of Thomas Ryman. Above is a picture of the Auditorium from the stage.
Here's a picture of the Ritchie Family posing in front of the Ryman Auditorium with a statue of "Little Jimmy Dickens," an iconic member of the Grand Ole Opry for 49 years.
The Ryman Auditorium was the home to the Grand Ole Opry from 1943 to1974. Because of its evangelist origins and history as the first venue for the Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman is commonly known as the "Mother Church of Country Music."
While visiting the "Mother Church of Country Music," we also stayed at a church turned into what many consider to be one of the most unique boutique hotels in Nashville - "The Russell."
The all-brick church building was built in 1904 and was known as the "Russell Street Church of Christ." Over the years, the church building's condition had fallen into disrepair. But, in 2019, it was renovated into a 23 unique-roomed Boutique Hotel.
We stayed in the "Bell Tower Suite." One of the bedrooms in the two-room suite is the inside of the church's bell tower!! See pictures above.
The Russell gives away a substantial portion of each night's stay to local homeless ministries. The average stay at The Russell provides 16 beds and warm meals at local homeless shelters.
We went to the Ryman Auditorium to see Kara and I's favorite performer - Robert Earl Keen. Robert Earl is a Texas Native that plays a mixture of folk, country, bluegrass and rock. He is an amazing storyteller from the stage and he really connects with his audience during live performances.
Kara and I have been going to Robert Earl Keen concerts whenever we can over the last 25 years. This is Robert Earl's Farewell Tour as he is retiring from touring... what better way to see him one last time than at the Ryman Auditorium!?
In addition to the Robert Earl Keen Concert, we also spent a couple hours walking Broadway in Downtown Nashville. It's always a lot to take in with music playing from all of the bars. We stopped at Kid Rock's Honky Tonk and listened to a Bon Jovi cover band for a while on the rooftop.
One last thing . . . the Russell Hotel had this huge Pink Mosaic of one of Country Music's Icon's - Dolly Parton (see above - with my daughter Addison posing). Maybe I could get one of these made of me for Ritchie Law Office, Ltd. - LOL!!!!
We had a great time on this long weekend trip. And between the Ryman and the Russell, we went to "church" twice!!!!
This article is a service of Attorney Chad A. Ritchie and the Ritchie Law Office, Ltd.
Click Here or call (309) 662-7000 to learn more about Ritchie Law Office, Ltd. and our Estate Planning process, which starts with an initial consultation called our “Ritchie Legacy Planning Session”.
To sign up for the Ritchie Law Office, Ltd. monthly newsletter, click here! Keep up with estate planning news, federal and state legislation affecting your estate plans, and the latest events and happenings at Ritchie Law Office, Ltd.