January 14, 2013 @ 5:30-6:30pm
with special guest Steve Buchanan, interviewed by Dan Keen.
Beaman A&B
Steve Buchanan is the president of the Grand Ole Opry Group. The Nashville-based entertainment group is comprised of the iconic Grand Ole Opry, the Ryman Auditorium, one of the nation’s most awarded performance venues, legendary WSM-AM radio station and Gaylord Program Services, Inc.
Buchanan has led the Group since 1998 and throughout his career has been responsible for the development and production of musical productions, albums and television specials and series. He currently serves as an executive producer of both ABC’s prime-time scripted drama series “Nashville” and GAC-TV’s “Noteworthy at the Opry.”
Buchanan was named general manager of the Ryman Auditorium in 1993. During his time at the Ryman, he directed an $8.5 million renovation of the historic structure, executive-produced such noted musical productions as “Always by Patsy Cline” and “Lost Highway – The Music and Legend of Hank Williams,” and he was the co-creator and executive producer of “Sam’s Place – Music for the Spirit.” He also executive produced and developed the musicals, “Bye Bye Love – The Everly Brothers Musical” and “Stand By Your Man – The Tammy Wynette Story.”
Buchanan produced the Grammy-nominated Bill Monroe album “Live at the Opry” (1990) and Monroe’s “Cryin’ Holy Unto the Lord” (1991). He also produced numerous television specials, including CBS’ “Grand Ole Opry’s 75th: A Celebration” and the A&E special “Grand Ole Opry: 75 Years in the Making.” During the Opry’s 80th Anniversary celebration, Buchanan was responsible for the show’s monumental return to Carnegie Hall in November 2005 as well as the associated GAC-TV special and the Sony Music DVD release. In 2009, Buchanan helped organize, and served as executive producer of, another GAC-TV Special “Country at the White House”. He also executive produced “Grand Ole Opry Live” for CMT-TV and GAC-TV from 1999 until 2011.
Buchanan earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from Vanderbilt University. Buchanan received the 2012 Outstanding Service Award from Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management. He serves as president of the Opry Trust Fund and is on the board of W.O. Smith Community Music School and is the immediate past chairman of the Country Music Association Board. He is an alumnus of both Leadership Nashville and Leadership Music. Buchanan is a member of the Academy of Country Music and the Recording Academy.
A native of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Buchanan is married to Ree Guyer Buchanan, a music publisher.