The Nashville Network (TNN) 1983 Premiere and Launch Night Celebration

The Nashville Network (TNN) was launched as a basic cable and satellite network on March 7, 1983. To the best of my knowledge, this is the only remaining copy of that premiere night 5+ hour celebration. This star-studded event hosted by Ralph Emery includes appearances from all across America, showcasing what Nashville culture was like at the time. I spent over a month restoring this footage; and while it's not perfect, I was diligent not to destroy the original footage. 0:09:00 - Roy Acuff & Patti Page (Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN) 0:10:17 - Roy Acuff's Fiddle Balancing Act 0:10:55 - The Gatlin Brothers' Band 0:21:50 - Chet Atkins 0:28:53 - Chet sending a message through time to the future 0:35:45 - Ray Stevens 0:55:00 - The Singin' Rage, Miss Patti Page 0:59:00 - The Tennessee Waltz with Patti Page, Ray Stevens, Roy Acuff, Gatlin Brothers, and original writers of the song Peewee King & Red Stewart 1:12:35 - Con Hunley (First 'Nashville Now' Interview!) 1:13:50 - Con Hunley Performance 1:17:40 - T.G. Shepard (Savoy Club, New York) 1:30:27 - Porter Wagoner 1:34:48 - Jacky Ward 1:43:50 - Waylon Jennings (Bumper) 1:44:22 - I-40 Paradise Teaser 1:51:00 - Rosanne Cash 2:03:27 - Archie Campbell / Yesteryear in Nashville 2:08:09 - Don Williams (Park West, Chicago) 2:23:38 - Bill Anderson 2:29:18 - David Brazell & Shelly West (Duo of the Year) 2:23:20 - Tammy Wynett 2:45:40 - Wayne Massey (Johnny Drummond from "One Life to Live") 2:51:34 - Teddy Bart 2:58:38 - Emmylou Harris (Austin City Limits Set, KLRU-TV, Austin Texas) 3:12:00 - Lisa Foster & Danny Gregg 3:16:40 - Tom T. Hall 3:25:24 - Bill Monroe (Austin City Limits Set, KLRU-TV, Austin Texas) 3:41:24 - Ed Bruce 3:45:54 - Bobby Lore 3:50:55 - George Lindsey & Lynn Anderson (Denver, Colorado) 4:07:50 - David Holt 4:15:31 - Bobby Bare 4:22:42 - Hoyt Axton (Palomino Club, Las Angeles) 4:36:32 - Riders in the Sky 4:39:58 - Sir Cecil Creep, Phantom of the Opry 4:46:16 - Tanya Tucker (Palomino Club, Las Angeles) 4:56:26 - Ray Stevens Closes the night out

Added 29 Jul 2026