NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Many rural residents are steeped in the tradition of country music. For those who love the fiddles, guitars and banjos, the heart of this music is housed in a building in Nashville.

The history of the Ryman Auditorium, one of Music City’s more famous landmarks – the “Mother Church of Country Music” – began in a most un-churchlike manner. The story begins with a rough-and-tumble riverboat captain who was not happy with a certain reverend preaching against liquor and gambling – all of which made Captain Thomas Ryman a lot of money on his boats.

As a young boy, Ryman grew up between Nashville and Chattanooga. Living along the Tennessee River, he learned from his father to farm the river for a living by fishing. Returning to Nashville with his family in 1841, after his father died, the 19-year-old used his fishing skills to support his family during the Civil War years.

Ryman became successful and by 1885 had a fleet of 35 riverboats. Around this time, the gospel preacher Rev. Samuel P. Jones was sermonizing on the evils of the bottle and gaming.

Since these sermons were cutting into the captain’s profits, history recounts Ryman, then 44, and a few of his friends went to Jones’ revival tent originally with plans to “raise a ruckus.”

Although the descendents of Methodist ministers, Jones’ father, a lawyer, did not follow their practices and is said to have had a severe drinking problem which ruined his law career. The history of this fiery minister showed it was at his father’s deathbed in 1872 that Jones promised his father he would quit drinking. He went on to claim Christ and became a minister.

An article from the Cartersville American, in April 1885 offers a story of a witness recounting the change in Reverend Jones. “Shouts went up from the grandfather, grandmother, stepmother, uncles, aunts and many kindred and friends. Many were the prayers that went up to God for Sam.

“The spirit led him at once to the ministry, making application for license to preach, which was granted and he was recommended to and received by the next annual conference at Atlanta, Ga., in 1872.”

The writer stated this was a decision that “was wondered at by many, criticized by some, opposed bitterly by his wife, but God overruled all difficulties in his way.”

The transformation of Jones was like the later transformation of Ryman. When Ryman actually heard Jones preach, he was so inspired by his words that it reportedly turned his life around. The captain pledged to construct a building for Jones and other preachers so they would not have to preach in tents again.

Ryman focused his efforts on building the Union Gospel Tabernacle, which would later be renamed the Ryman Auditorium. As time went on this was often the only facility large enough to encompass large presentations, and the auditorium was used in a variety of ways.

Eventually it would encompass the Grand Ole Opry and go down in history. Today, concerts and a weekly radio show still originate at the Grand Ole Opry. For details about the Ryman and show information, log onto www.ryman.com