Iconic Nashville Venue Stampedes into 2016 with New Look

NASHVILLE, TN (Feb. 3, 2016)-The Wildhorse Saloon today began a nearly $9 million renovation of its iconic 66,000-square-foot multi-floor entertainment enterprise on historic Second Avenue in downtown Nashville.

The new look will be complete by early summer with elevated finishes and new furniture throughout. The scope of the project includes enhanced stage lighting, sound and video capabilities, an expanded retail footprint and renovated private event space, bars and restrooms.

'The Wildhorse Saloon has been a beloved, family-friendly part of downtown Nashville's entertainment district for more than 20 years, and we believe this renovation will solidify its position as a premier attraction for locals, tourists and convention goers alike,' said Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Ryman Hospitality Properties, which owns the Wildhorse Saloon.

'Nashville has experienced record travel and tourism-related growth over the past several years, and this continued investment in our Nashville-area assets is part of our ongoing belief that this city is fast becoming a top international travel destination.'

Ryman Hospitality Properties' Nashville assets include Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, Gaylord Springs Golf Links, the Wildhorse Saloon, the General Jackson Showboat and The Inn at Opryland, which are all managed by Marriott International. Ryman Hospitality Properties also owns and operates the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and 650 AM WSM.

The Wildhorse Saloon's main focal point will remain its 3,300-square-foot dance floor overlooked by two horseshoe-shaped balconies with scenes of wild horses running across the ceiling and walls. Tuck-Hinton Architects is the designer, and Beech Construction Services is the general contractor.

'The new look at the Wildhorse balances a contemporary rustic revival style with the relaxed vibe that has made us a favorite destination for 1.5 million visitors annually,' said Pete Weien, senior vice president and general manager of Gaylord Opryland Resort and Attractions. 'It's humbling that the Wildhorse's opening in the early 1990s helped spark what has become one of the most vibrant entertainment districts in the world'

Since 1994, The Wildhorse Saloon has been an authentic Nashville venue that has it all-from live music, line-dancing instruction and five bars to its award-winning barbecue, famous fried pickles and more. With its capacity of 1,400, the venue hosts hundreds of private parties and events each year.

The saloon celebrated its opening by herding a stampede of live cattle through the streets of Music City. It capitalized on the dance craze of the 1990s with the Wildhorse Saloon Dance Show on The Nashville Network (TNN) and went on to be featured on thousands of TV shows and tapings, including CMT's Can You Duet and Gone Country, NBC's The Voice and ABC's NASHVILLE. For more information, visit www.WildhorseSaloon.com.

About Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) is a REIT for federal income tax purposes, specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets. The Company's owned assets include a network of four upscale, meetings-focused resorts totaling 7,795 rooms that are managed by lodging operator Marriott International, Inc. under the Gaylord Hotels brand. Other owned assets managed by Marriott International, Inc. include Gaylord Springs Golf Links, the Wildhorse Saloon, the General Jackson Showboat, The Inn at Opryland, a 303-room overflow hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland and AC Hotel Washington, DC at National Harbor, a 192-room hotel near Gaylord National. The Company also owns and operates media and entertainment assets, including the Grand Ole Opry (opry.com), the legendary weekly showcase of country music's finest performers for 90 years; the Ryman Auditorium, the storied former home of the Grand Ole Opry located in downtown Nashville; and 650 AM WSM, the Opry's radio home. For additional information about Ryman Hospitality Properties, visit www.rymanhp.com.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Brian Abrahamson, 615-316-6302, BAbrahamson@rymanhp.com
Jenny Barker, 615-415-3204, jbarker@gaylordhotels.com

Ryman Hospitality Properties Inc. issued this content on 03 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 03 February 2016 16:10:28 UTC

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