Tony Gonzalez

For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville.

Vanderbilt went out with a bang, scoring more points against Tennessee than it has against its in-state rival in more than a century.

Their season has been full of superlatives.

Vanderbilt had never won 10 games in a season or beaten as many highly ranked opponents.

The Commodores briefly reached the AP Top 10 for the first time in a generation.

It's unclear if that'll be enough to break through in a crowded playoff picture.

Either way, the university is committing to head coach Clark Lee.

He's a Nashville native and Vanderbilt grad who agreed to a six-year contract extension.

For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville.

There's no exact formula to becoming an Opry member, but in 1956, a so-called young country singer made the cut.

That singer, Johnny Cash.

Today, there are 77 living members, including stand-up comedians and some duos and groups.

Among the performers tonight are Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, and Connie Smith.

For NPR News, I'm Tony Gonzalez in Nashville.

And ever since then, his popularity's been growing and growing more than ever with all you folks and with all of us who have come to like him and pull for him so much.

I keep the ends out for the tie that binds.

Because you're mine, I walk the line.

I once was lost

The Grand Ole Opry hits the AM airwaves each week like clockwork.

That archival tape from 1958.