A Day in the Life

April 11-17, 2016

An evening at the Ryman

By Becca Bona

Wait, what?!

Do I go left or right?

These intersections don’t really match up!

Why am I the one driving in the 5 o’clock traffic right now?!

These words, along with a few other choice phrases, were all I could fling at MC as we recently made the journey to Music City to catch a show. Sure, we got stuck in the quitting-time rush, but I somehow managed to drive us to our cute little B & B without too many mishaps.

I’m sure MC thinks otherwise.

Anywho, we were excited about this particular trip – as it marked the release of a new album by one of MC’s favorite musicians – Andrew Bird with his album, Are You Serious?. If you don’t know Andrew Bird, you have to stop reading right now and go listen to a few of my favorite songs – “Imitosis” and “Armchairs.”

While I was excited to see the performance, I was more excited to check out the interior of the Ryman Auditorium, the historic theater that was once a church, and has housed so many lectures, performances, and more.

It was actually completed in 1892 and first known as the Union Gospel Tabernacle. It wasn’t until 1904 that it was renamed to the Ryman Auditorium, after Captain Tom Ryman, a shrewd Nashvillian who pledged to build it  so that Nashville’s citizens wouldn’t have to attend revivals under a tent.

Now, the beginning of the Ryman has much to do with the church, but as soon as 1907, lectures were being held there, notably by President Teddy Roosevelt. Plays and so on were also regulars, and in 1943 the Grand Ole Opry moved to the Ryman.

This is where my knowledge comes in, as I have listened to my Granddad tell me about the Grand Ole Opry numerous times. It was one of his favorite pastimes, listening to the radio show as a boy.

When he heard that MC and I were making the trip, I knew I had to take some pictures and possibly go on one of the backstage tours, if we had time.

Of course, we didn’t make the tour, and I missed the opportunity to buy granddad a hat – he has a rather extensive collection.

But I did take a few pictures for him and remembered enough to paint him a fairly good picture with words, once we returned.

As for the show … Andrew Bird is pretty great live. I had no idea what to expect and neither did MC, because of the new album, but he really brought down the house.

Are You Serious? is a fun album, with Bird poking fun at himself as to how the music critic’s view him. His use of the violin and pedals to play over his own funky riffs is entertaining in and of itself, plus you can tell that he really feels his music.

We were about 10 rows back and the sound was great. At one point, I almost felt like I should jump up and start dancing in the aisle … to MC’s happiness, I didn’t.

For yesterday’s tune of “A Day in the Life”, visit www.dailyrecord.us.

Becca Bona is the managing editor of the Daily Record and an award winning columnist and photographer. Contact her at Becca@dailydata.com.