The world-famous Grand Ole Opry once again made history last night as it performed its first show since having been temporarily displaced from its permanent home, the Grand Ole Opry House, by flooding earlier this week that has affected much of Nashville and Middle Tennessee. The performance took place at downtown Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium, one of the Opry’s past homes (1939 – 1943.)

In addition to an array of Opry members and other country artists, the show included honored guests Tennessee Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker. Senator Alexander took to the piano for a performance of the classic “Tennessee Waltz.”

The show was bookended by stirring performances. Marty Stuart offered the first music of the night, an acoustic performance of “Let the Church Roll On,” popularized by past Opry duo Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs. The Opry member sang from behind one of several signature Opry microphone stands pulled earlier in the day from the Opry House. “Thank you for letting us come together,” Stuart said to the live audience at the top of the show. “Because that’s what we do at the Opry; we come together.”

The entire cast concluded the evening with a performance of the Opry standard “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” with the crowd on its feet singing and clapping along. “Our family, our songs, and our spirit live on,” Stuart said.

Senators Alexander and Corker both complimented the Opry’s resiliency and encouraged listeners to visit Nashville. “Everywhere I go around the world, people talk to me about our music,” Corker said. “Thank you for keeping it going.”

As with all Opry shows, performances ranged from country classics to current hits. Chris Young, at No. 2 on the country charts this week with his single “The Man I Want to Be,” thanked the audience for being a part of the night. “It doesn’t matter where you are,” he said. “It’s always the Opry when you let us put on a show. Thank you for letting us put on a show.”

“Tonight clearly proves that for both the Grand Ole Opry and for Nashville, the show truly does go on,” said Opry President Steve Buchanan. “This has been a historic night of great music. While we will not be back to our usual home for a little while, that by no means diminishes some special shows and memorable moments I am certain we’ll experience at Opry shows in the days ahead. As Senator Alexander said on stage, ‘The music’s still playing in Nashville!’ ”

Opry performances are scheduled for every weekend of the year and for every Tuesday through Dec. 14. This weekend’s shows as well as the May 11 Tuesday Night Opry will be staged at the historic Ryman Auditorium, the Opry’s most famous former home. Thursday night Opry Country Classics shows previously scheduled for the Ryman Auditorium remain at that venue. Updated show venues will be posted on opry.com. Among the artists coming this spring to the Opry include Charlie Daniels, Lady Antebellum, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Charley Pride, Ricky Skaggs, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, and Steve Wariner.