Today on tuning in the U.S.A., Richard Stewart and his friend Andreas Pappas are in Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is the center of the country-music industry. Outside a famous country-music theater, they meet a musician. Jim Conaway is his name, and he gives them a very interesting invitation.
Andreas: I think you turn here, Richard. Yeah, there it is.
Richard: Yes. That’s it. The Grand Ole Opry. It’s a very famous theater in Nashville. Almost all great country-and-western musicians play concerts here sometime.
Andreas: I think there’s a recording studio here, too.
Richard: Really? They record songs here? I didn’t know that. I thought it was just for live concerts. Shall we take a look?
Andreas: Do they give tours to the public?
Richard: I think so.
Andreas: What time do you think the tours start?
Richard: I’m not sure, it’s ten o’clock now. We can ask this fellow sitting with the guitar here. Excuse me. Can we ask you something?
Jim: Go right ahead.
Richard: Do they let people tour The Grand Ole Opry?
Jim: They sure do. But the building is still closed. It’ll be open in just a few minutes. And the tours start around eleven o’clock, I think.
Andreas: Do you work here?
Jim: Sometime.
Andreas: Maybe you can answer a question, then.
Jim: I’ll try.
Andreas: We know about the theater inside. But is there a recording studio here, too?
Jim: there sure is. I make a lot of my records here.
Richard: Really? You’re a professional musician?
Jim: Yep. I’m Jim Conaway. I don’t believe I got your name.
Richard: Richard Stewart, from New York.
Andreas: Andreas Pappas, from Greece.
Jim: Greece! You are a long way from home. What brings you to The Grand Ole Opry?
Andreas: I’m just traveling, to learn about the U.S.A.
Richard: And I’m taking photographs all around the country. For a book about Americans.
Jim: Well, this is a good place to learn about Americans.
Andreas: Why is that?
Jim: Well… how should I say this? A good country song can give you a clear picture of an American’s heart. Country music is all about showing feelings, simply and honestly.
Richard: Andreas is very interested in American music. He has a radio show back home in Greece. It’s called….
Andreas: Music from Around the World.
Jim: Maybe you’ll play one of my records sometime.
Andreas: I’d like to.
Jim: I’ll tell you what. I’ve got a record to make in a few minutes. You seem interested. Why don’t you come in and watch us work?
Andreas: Really?
Richard: We’d love to, Mr. Conaway.
Jim: Call me Jim.