January 25, 2013 · 4:05 pm
In 1974, the Grand Ole Opry moved from the Ryman Auditorium to the brand-new Grand Ole Opry House. Country music is not something that lives without constant acknowledgment of its history, so they cut out a 6-foot circle from the Ryman stage and placed it into the new Opry House stage. That piece of oak has touched the feet and felt the rhythm of the music coming from the likes of Ernest Tubb, Patsy Cline, Brad Paisley, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Carrie Underwood, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban, Loretta Lynn, Blake Shelton, and so many others throughout the years. That piece of oak exudes music history and offers a true honor to stand where so many legends have stood before. In May of 2010, Nashville sustained serious flooding. The circle was submerged under nearly 4 feet of water. But they saved it! They took it out of the stage floor, gave it some incredible loving care and placed it back into the Opry stage on August 25, 2010, just in time for the Grand Ole Opry re-opening in September and 85th birthday in October of that year. It’s a true piece of music history. And no matter if you’re into the music of yesterday or today, it’s a shivering experience to stand on that 6-foot piece of oak on the Opry stage. Something everyone should do at least once in their life.
Source:
http://365nashville.com/2013/01/25/317-the-circle-on-the-opry-stage/