The Ryman Auditorium. Photo Courtesy of Ryman Auditorium.

Nashville, Tenn. — The 2009 Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman series commenced with a pair of concerts from two of bluegrass music’s most lauded and loved artists, Doyle Lawson and Ricky Skaggs. A bluegrass-gospel superstar and well-recognized mandolin player of over 50 years, Lawson and his band Quicksilver took the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium to an overwhelmingly enthusiastic crowd on June 25. One week later, the legendary Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder played to a sold-out crowd just two days before Independence Day for the annual Red, White and Bluegrass Night of the series.

The 16-year old critically acclaimed Bluegrass series will run Thursday nights through July 30. Next up on July 9 is seven-time International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) female vocalist of the year, Rhonda Vincent and the Rage. Joining Vincent for the date is the legendary Bobby Osborne and Rocky Top X-Press and Next Big Thing.

On July 16, it’s Ralph Stanley and the Clinch Mountain Boys and 2008 Bluegrass Album of the Year Grammy winner, Jim Lauderdale. July 23 brings the voice of the O’ Brother Where Art Thou smash, “Man of Constant Sorrow” and 2001 Grammy winner for best country collaboration, Dan Tyminski with the Steep Canyon Rangers. The series will conclude on July 30 with 2009 IBMA Entertainer of the Year winner Dailey & Vincent and The SteelDrivers.

In 2006, the State of Tennessee presented the Ryman Auditorium with a historical marker designating it as the Birthplace of Bluegrass. The marker commemorates a seminal moment in music history on the Ryman stage on a Saturday Night in 1945 when a young man named Earl Scruggs joined Bill Monroe and his band, including Lester Flatt, on the Ryman stage. When Scruggs stepped up to the WSM microphone and played his 5-string banjo with his innovative three-finger roll, Bluegrass music as we know it today was born.

The series concerts remain at the affordable price of $25.50 per ticket. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster outlets, at the Ryman Box Office, online at www.ryman.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

About the Ryman Auditorium

A National Historic Landmark, the Ryman Auditorium was built as a church in 1892, served as the home of the Grand Ole Opry from 1943-74, and was completely renovated in 1994. The Ryman is open as a museum during the day and at night continues its more-than-100-year music tradition by offering the best in live entertainment. The Ryman Auditorium is owned by Gaylord Entertainment, a Nashville-based hospitality and entertainment company that owns and operates Gaylord Hotels and the Grand Ole Opry. For more information, visit www.ryman.com