Contact Information
Joe Pagetta
Media Relations Manager
161 Rains Ave.
Nashville, TN 37203
615-259-9325 ext. 211
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It’s a Thrill-Ride of Great Memories in NPT’s Nostalgic Visit to Opryland, USA |
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Tuesday, 18 November 2008 |
Popular “Memories” series Revisits Famous Tennessee Theme Park
NASHVILLE, Tennessee – November 18, 2008 -- For more than 26 years, a 212-acre area of eastern Davidson County in Tennessee was “The Home of American Music” and so much more to millions of music and thrill-ride fans. Opryland, USA, which opened in 1972, was the first major theme park dedicated to live performances, and as any kid who rode the Grizzly River Rampage or the Wabash Cannonball can attest to, howls of laughter and screams of joy were an important part of the experience.
Nashville Public Television gives fans of the park, and viewers throughout Middle Tennessee, a chance to journey back to the park with MEMORIES OF OPRYLAND, the latest installment in the Memories of Nashville series, premiering on Sunday, November 30 at 7:00 p.m. on NPT-Channel 8. It’s “a thrill-ride of great memories” as writer and producer Justin Harvey (Nashville WWII Stories, Memories of Sulphur Dell) offers viewers an opportunity to relive the rides, shows and fun that made the park a favorite until its closing at the end of 1997.
 “We put a call out into the community for memories, photos and video, and I was overwhelmed by the response we received,” said Harvey. “So many people called me or wrote to me to share their fond memories of summers spent at the park. For many, Opryland was their childhood. For many of the performers, it was their first big gig and entrance into the entertainment industry. Everybody, it seems, loved Opryland.”
It was Irving Waugh, then president of WSM, and his associate Elmer Alley, that first conceived of the park. Waugh wanted a new home for The Grand Ole Opry, which at the time was at the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, and as his successor E.W. Bud Wendell explains, Waugh “became fascinated with the idea of not just a new Opry House, but because of the draw that the Opry had, the idea evolved to build an attraction and give these people that came distances something more than just coming to a country music show.” |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 18 November 2008 )
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Nashville Public Library and NPT Bring Groundbreaking ITVS Community Cinema to Nashville |
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Wednesday, 08 October 2008 |
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New Nashville Independent Film Series Kicks Off With “Lioness” Oct. 22 For downloadable images, visit http://itvs.org/pressroom/photos/
For the program companion website, visit http://pbs.org/independentlens/lioness (NASHVILLE, Tennessee) – October 8, 2008 - LIONESS, a new film by Meg McLaren and Daria Sommers that tells the story of a group of female Army support soldiers who became the first women in American history to be sent in direct ground combat, will kick off ITVS Community Cinema in Nashville on Wednesday, October 22 at 6:00 p.m. (reception at 5:15) at the Downtown Nashville Public Library.
Presented in partnership with Nashville Public Television (NPT), the entire ITVS Community Cinema in Nashville series will include free screenings, receptions and panel discussions at the Library for six films through May 2009, all in advance of the films' broadcasts on NPT and PBS stations nationwide as part of the Independent Lens series. All screenings are free and open to the public, and those wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP at
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"We are thrilled to partner with Nashville Public Library, an organization that shares our education and public service mission, to bring ITVS Community Cinema to Nashville," said Beth Curley, president and CEO of Nashville Public Television. "Just like public television, these screenings attract people from all backgrounds to learn together and share ideas about a variety of issues that affect Americans."
"Community Cinema is an excellent opportunity to meet with neighbors while learning about current events," said Donna Nicely, director of Nashville Public Library. "As Nashville's civic living room, these films will entertain but also get people talking and thinking." |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 30 October 2008 )
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