Phrase "Grand Ole Opry" Heard First Time On-Air
Milestones | Dec 10, 1927
The phrase “Grand Ole Opry” is used for the first time on-air.
At the time, the NBC Red Network’s Music Appreciation Hour, a program with classical music and selections from grand opera, was followed by George D. Hay’s Barn Dance. That evening, as he was introducing the show and DeFord Bailey, his first guest, George Hay said the following words:
For the past hour, we have been listening to music largely from Grand Opera, but from now on, we will present “The Grand Ole Opry.”