The show debuted during the 1968-69 school year, i.e., late '68 or early '69. I was in college in northern Indiana at the time, and some friends proposed a road trip to Nashville to attend the first taping of an episode of this new TV show. (We had read that Bob Dylan was to appear on the debut telecast.)

Six of us crammed into a single car and drove down overnight. Shortly after we arrived, we learned that the shows were not being taped in the same order in which they would be broadcast, meaning that we would not be there for Bob's appearance; someone else, an actual C&W artist, was scheduled as the featured guest.

I would have very gladly attended regardless of who would be joining the great Johnny Cash onstage, but the owner of the car was interested only in Bob Dylan and was quite scornful of country music in general and the "Nashville sound" in particular. We turned around and drove back north without further delay.

Before we left Nashville, I had just enough time to enjoy my first taste of blackeye peas and collard greens, at a very "atmospheric" (i.e., dingy) cafeteria somewhere on Music Row.

I have since come to understand that I missed my only opportunity to witness a show at the "old" Grand Ole Opry, the fabled Ryman Auditorium (which I have visted since, now that it has become nothing more than a historic site). So, I regret more than ever my companions' reluctance to stay for that show.