Since its reopening in 1994, the Ryman has played host to quite the variety of non-country artists.

The list includes Bruce Springsteen, James Brown, Mark Knopfler, Fiona Apple, Bob Dylan and even 'N Sync.

But the Ryman probably will see nothing more unique than Billy Bob Thornton's live Nashville music debut, happening October 22. The show is sure to draw an all-star crowd of, well, the curious. Another draw: Marty Stuart is part of the band.

Billy Bob, who releases an eclectic album, Private Radio, September 25, comes here as part of a tour of a dozen or so cities that takes him to small theaters in the largest U.S. cities.

But the Ryman will be a special stop, he said through a publicist.

''It's always such an honor just to go to the Ryman,'' he said. ''To be preparing to be actually playing there is like going to Saturn.''

Far out.

By Brad Schmitt