Opryland USA attracted millions of visitors each year and gave many celebrities their first taste of show business. As the "Home of American Music," Opryland USA still lives on in the hearts and minds of those who visited this show that made country music famous. By the late 1960s, the Ryman Auditorium - the fifth home of the Grand Ole Opry - was a deteriorating firetrap in a seedy part of Nashville, yet it still attracted thousands of people each weekend to the "show that made country music famous." In an effort to develop an attraction that could sustain a larger Opry all week long, Opryland was born. Opryland USA operated from May 27, 1972, until December 31, 1997, attracting millions of visitors each year and giving many celebrities their first taste of show business. The park consisted of nine areas, dozens of rides, and Broadway-caliber shows featuring live bands and orchestras. As the "Home of American Music," Opryland USA still lives on in the hearts and minds of those who visited its wooded trails, lazy streams, exciting attractions, and toe-tapping performances.

Opryland USA attracted millions of visitors each year and gave many celebrities their first taste of show business. As the "Home of American Music," Opryland USA still lives on in the hearts and minds of those who visited this show that made country music famous. By the late 1960s, the Ryman Auditorium - the fifth home of the Grand Ole Opry - was a deteriorating firetrap in a seedy part of Nashville, yet it still attracted thousands of people each weekend to the "show that made country music famous." In an effort to develop an attraction that could sustain a larger Opry all week long, Opryland was born. Opryland USA operated from May 27, 1972, until December 31, 1997, attracting millions of visitors each year and giving many celebrities their first taste of show business. The park consisted of nine areas, dozens of rides, and Broadway-caliber shows featuring live bands and orchestras. As the "Home of American Music," Opryland USA still lives on in the hearts and minds of those who visited its wooded trails, lazy streams, exciting attractions, and toe-tapping performances.

Studded with anecdotes about the stars, music trivia questions, and other interesting sidelights, the first guide to Opryland USA, Nashville's booming entertainment complex that attracts over 2 million each year, features photos of stars, maps of the park, and a special introduction by Barbara Mandrell.

Alan Mayor has spent the last 25 years photographing the stars of Nashville for record albums, music events, and in personal and candid settings. Now, he gives country music fans some of the greatest photographs ever taken of Nashville and the stars - along with her personal observations. Chapters will include: *The Old Homestead - The Grand Old Opry Then and Now *The Rebel Sons -- Willie, Waylon and Me *The Ladies -- A Force to be Reckoned With *On The Road Again -- Country on the Bus *Gone But Not Forgotten -- Remembering Country Greats The Nashville Family Album will contain sidebars on a whole host of topics and will have personal observations from many, many country greats about Nashville and Alan's photos of them. From Minnie Pearl to Garth Brooks, The Nashville Family Album will be the perfect Christmas present for fans of country music everywhere.