A North Myrtle Beach venue in the running for a Country Music Association award came up short against a notable Nashville hotspot.

The Ryman Auditorium took the CMA Standing Room Only award for Venue of the Year, edging out the Alabama Theatre in Barefoot Landing in North Myrtle Beach and the Bridgestone Arena, also in Nashville. The awards were given Thursday night.

The Alabama Theatre -- where country music legends such as Alabama, George Jones, Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Faith Hill, Kenny Chesney, Charley Pride and Loretta Lynn have performed during its 19-year history -- wasn’t banking on taking home the trophy, surprised simply to be nominated and grouped with such prominent Nashville venues, said Bob Wood, Alabama Theatre’s president.

“We were a little surprised but felt very honored being in that company,” Wood said Friday morning as the venue was putting the finishing touches on its holiday show debuting tonight. “We were just very honored to be a part of it.”

The Ryman Auditorium, with roots dating to the 1890s, once was home of the Grand Ole Opry and is known in Nashville as “The Mother Church of Country Music.”

Contact DAWN BRYANT at 626-0296 or at dbryant@thesunnews.com or follow her at Twitter.com/TSN_dawnbryant.