Band Perry christens new Ryman Auditorium stage

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The young voices of The Band Perry soared in the space where pioneers of country music had been heard, but their boots were the first to tap time on the new stage.

The hot country music act was the first to perform on the new stage at Ryman Auditorium, which is often billed as the Mother Church of Country Music. The trio's concert Monday night was the first public performance since a 61-year-old oak floor was removed and replaced with teak laid over a reinforced structure.

Ryman officials said the new stage could last for a century or more.

The band called the night "historic," according to The Tennessean (http://bit.ly/yjrxlV ).

The trio unveiled new songs at the show, which was their first headliner concert in Nashville.