Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman

Nashville’s known as the country music capital of the world. When folks come to town, however, they don’t necessarily think about how diverse country music is when it comes to sound. Western swing, bluegrass, Americana, outlaw country and many others exist under the country music umbrella.

July is a great time to learn more about one of those subgenres: bluegrass. Born from the mountain music of the Appalachian region, bluegrass is one of country’s oldest types of music, combining instruments and sounds from a variety of those genres. Bluegrass bands may have more members playing a variety of instruments, including acoustic string instruments like the guitar, double bass, fiddle, five-string banjo, mandolin, steel guitar. and Dobro. Popular country may have a lead vocal or a duet; in bluegrass you’ll get many bandmembers singing along. And, as is the case with jazz, bluegrass is open to improvisation. You may never hear the same fiddlers harmonizing in the same way twice.

From June 13-July 25, Thursday Nights are Bluegrass Nights at the historic Ryman Auditorium. This year is the 30th year of this series, featuring performances by the biggest names in bluegrass. Performers lined up for Thursdays in July include Della Mae, Dailey & Vincent and Rick Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Shows start at 7:30 p.m., but you’ll want to get there early. All shows are preceded by WSM’s showcase, Pickin’ on PNC Plaza, featuring regional bluegrass bands starting at 5:30 p.m. outside the entrance to the Ryman. Pickin’ on PNC Plaza is free, so you can swing by on your way to a night on the town. Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman tickets can be purchased online.

If the night makes you want to hear more, check out the lineup for bluegrass at the Station Inn in the Gulch.