NASHVILLE. Good architecture and design make a building. We can all agree on that, being about our usual business at hand. But sometimes a single building can, in a sense, make a city. The Ryman has certainly been the brick and mortar testament of Nashville’s status as Music City, it’s high points and low points. In this delightful essay by Jennifer Justice in The Bitter Southerner we learn about how one building has stood as witness to an ever changing Nashville.
Ryman Auditorium stained glass windows
At Nashville Interiors, we love to take you inside places you might not otherwise get to see. And while many of us think we are already quite familiar with the landmark Ryman, this essay is particularly insightful. It’s likely you will get new information about the old place, like we did.

The Ryman Auditorium, like many older structures and even our Southern cities, go through many cycles of change; Yet, with high purpose and care they are allowed to adapt while holding on to what endures, to what inspires. Isn’t that the spirit behind all attempts at historic preservation?

This essay shows how one building in one city elevates the interior life, like few others. Here’s one of our favorite quotes:

Hallowed halls like “the mother church of country music” can’t merely be built like a skyscraper or condo complex after all. They must become — painted with layers of experience and mystery over time. Try to uncover the meaning in their spirit by peeling back the paint, and you’ll only find another color, deeper and richer, worn in.

We were particularly moved to share this story today, as people in Nashville and others across the country remember one of Music City’s most significant songwriters, Guy Clark. We join with The Bitter Southerner in paying respects at his passing today. I am reminded of his poignant song, “Step Into This House,” one of Clark’s earliest songs which was recorded by Lyle Lovett. It is a particular favorite of this editor who is often invited into homes and shown some of the most personal treasures.

Here’s Jennifer Justice’s essay, that we just had to share: “Where the Soul of Nashville Never Dies.” 

 

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