The Grand Ole Opry is 100 years old. Here's everything you may, or may not, know about it

Not many things can survive 100 years, but the Grand Ole Opry is one of them.

The history and tradition behind the century-old institution spread far beyond the borders of Nashville and even Tennessee. Even if you aren't a country music fan, you probably know of it or at least some of the names that are counted as its members.

But even die-hard Opry lovers might not know everything there is to know about the home of country legends.

Here's a look at the rich history, fun facts and just general knowledge surrounding the Grand Ole Opry as it celebrates 100 years.

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How did the Grand Ole Opry start?

In 1925, a radio program went out over the airwaves that has become known as the first-ever Grand Ole Opry show, even if that wasn't the name it went by.

An employee of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company convinced the company to launch a radio station 100 years ago called WSM ― named after the company's slogan "We Shield Millions" ― in its Nashville office. On Nov. 28, 1925, a month after the first air date of WSM, George D. Hay launched the WSM Barn Dance with Uncle Jimmy Thompson, a 77-year-old fiddle player, according to the Grand Ole Opry website.

Why is it called the Opry?

The name WSM Barn Dance stuck around for two years until Hay made a declaration on air after an NBC broadcast of Walter Damrosch's Music Appreciation Hour.

"For the past hour we have been listening to the music taken largely from the Grand Opera, but from now on we will present the Grand Ole Opry," Hay said.

The name stuck and has been part of country music culture since.

Is the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium?

As the Opry grew, so did the need for a location bigger than a room in the National Life and Accident Insurance Company building. It eventually went to the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. The last show at the Ryman was on March 15, 1974, according to the Opry website.

Where is the Grand Ole Opry located?

The physical location of the Opry isn't in downtown Nashville anymore but across the Cumberland River east of the honky tonks owned by some of the same people who are members of the Grand Ole Opry. Its address is 600 Opry Mills Drive.

Does the Grand Ole Opry have shows every night?

Not anymore.

The Grand Ole Opry still has shows two to five times a week, and even more frequently now while it's celebrating 100 years.

You can find tickets for shows at opry.com/events.

If you want to listen, you can still hear the Grand Ole Opry on WSM Friday and Saturday nights 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. at wsmradio.com .

Who are members of the Grand Ole Opry?

From Dolly Parton to Willie Nelson and from Blake Shelton to Kelsea Ballerini, the names of Grand Ole Opry members is a who's who of the country music scene of today, but stretches back to names like Earl Scruggs, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn and so many more.

You can find a full list of members since the beginning at opry.com/artist .

How do people become members of the Grand Ole Opry?

The decision of who becomes an Opry member is, and always has been, made by the show's management.

When making the decision to initiate a membership several things are taken into account, according to The Opry's website, including:

• radio airplay

• recorded music sales

• touring success

• industry recognition

• longevity

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Why do they call it the Opry? What to know as Grand Ole Opry turns 100