Moments in Black History at the Ryman

By Lane Vaughn

Although the Ryman is perhaps best known as the “Mother Church of Country Music,” its stage has welcomed a rich diversity of artists, activists, speakers, and entertainers. From groundbreaking music to powerful moments of activism, the Ryman has been a space where history is made. As we celebrate Black History Month, we’re looking back at the contributions of the Black trailblazers who have left their mark on this iconic stage, helping to shape the cultural landscape in ways that still resonate today.

Learn more about these historical moments on a Ryman Tour.

 

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS BEGIN THEIR LONG LEGACY OF RYMAN PERFORMANCES

In 1871, the Fisk Jubilee Singers embarked on a world tour whose profits saved the Nashville HBCU Fisk University from financial ruin. In 1892, Ryman Auditorium, then the Union Gospel Tabernacle, opened its doors to the public and began hosting notable performers—and the Fisk Jubilee Singers were among the first. For 132 years and counting, the renowned a cappella ensemble has returned to music’s most iconic stage, continuing a proud legacy and maintaining an unbreakable bond between this legendary troupe and venue.

 

BOOKER T. WASHINGTON SPEAKS AT THE NATIONAL BAPTIST CONVENTION

What is still the largest African American religious organization in the country, the National Baptist Convention held their 33^rd annual session at the Ryman from September 17–22, 1913. It was reported that 10,000 delegates were expected to be in attendance and that many prominent Black figures would be making addresses throughout the six days. The most notable of the speakers was Booker T. Washington—a formerly enslaved person who gained freedom under the Emancipation Proclamation when he was nine years old. Washington was a powerhouse for civil rights, publicly speaking against segregation, lynching, and voting discrimination. It was said that the large white and black audience met Washington’s remarks with “hardy applause.”

 

MAMIE SMITH AND HER JAZZ HOUNDS DELIVER THE FIRST BLUES PERFORMANCE AT THE RYMAN

Trailblazing singer Mamie Smith made history as the first Black artist to ever record blues vocals. In 1921, she and her band, the Jazz Hounds, achieved another “first” as they gave the first documented blues performance at the Ryman. This performance was one of several that marked the beginning of a new era for the Ryman under formidable manager Lula C. Naff—an era whose artists, entertainers, educators, and activists shaped the Ryman into the iconic stage it is today.

 

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. SPEAKS AT FREEDOM RIDERS BENEFIT CONCERT

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke at "A Tribute to the Freedom Riders," a benefit concert held at the Ryman in 1961. The concert celebrated the college students who took part in the Freedom Rides and entertained attendees of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Headliner Harry Belafonte fell ill and couldn't make it to the show, but the supporting acts went on to perform. At intermission, Dr. King awarded scholarships to college students who decided to complete the Freedom Rides. One of the students was John Lewis, who went on to become an activist alongside King during the civil rights movement.

 

JACKIE ROBINSON SPEAKS ON CIVIL RIGHTS

In 1962, Jackie Robinson addressed a crowd at Ryman Auditorium for a public meeting of the newly formed Davidson County Independent Political Council. Robinson broke barriers as the first African American player in Major League Baseball, signaling the end of racial segregation in professional baseball. In addition to his baseball career, Robinson contributed significantly to the civil rights movement, often appearing at rallies, fundraising events, and demonstrations. At the Ryman, Robinson discussed voting rights and urged President John F. Kennedy to make good on his campaign promises to end housing segregation.

 

LINDA MARTELL MAKES HER HISTORIC OPRY DEBUT

In 1969, Linda Martell became the first Black woman to perform on the Grand Ole Opry—twenty-six years after the country music show moved into Ryman Auditorium. She received two standing ovations and went on to perform on around a dozen additional Opry shows. Recognized as a country music pioneer, she sang alongside artists like Waylon Jennings and Hank Snow, and appeared on the long-running TV show Hee Haw.

Martell has recently been reintroduced to the world as a feature on Beyoncé’s GRAMMY award-winning crossover album Cowboy Carter. Martell’s 1969 single “Color Him Father” charted at #22 on Billboard’s Hot Country Singles Chart and held the title of highest peaking single until Beyoncé’s “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at #1 in 2024. Beyoncé dedicated her 2025 Album of the Year GRAMMY Award to Martell.

 

WU-TANG CLAN BECOMES THE FIRST HIP-HOP ACT TO EVER HEADLINE THE RYMAN

Five years after the Opry held its final show at the Ryman in 1974, The Sugar Hill Gang released “Rapper’s Delight,” which is credited with popularizing rap as a musical genre. Forty years after the songs release, legendary rap group Wu-Tang Clan made history as the first hip-hop act to ever headline the Ryman, continuing the venue’s legacy of hosting a wide variety of musical genres. “A lot of songwriters come from this great city of music, and what makes a songwriter are their lyrics,” group member RZA told the crowd. “There’s a lot of great lyricists that have come from here. We are actually really proud to be performing here, because we are lyricists.”

 

Throughout its storied past, the Ryman’s stage has been a central site of progress. In its present, it remains a place where all are welcome—both on stage and in the pews.

Many important figures in Black History have left their mark on this historic venue. From The Temptations’ signed Hatch Show Print to Michelle Obama’s signature in our guest book, their contributions continue to resonate here. Discover their stories and more on a Ryman tour.

BOOK A TOUR