The performers for the Grand Ole Opry are usually posted at www.opry.com about a month in advance. Sometimes the shows are at the Opry house, sometimes at the Ryman Auditorium DT. If it's at the Opry house, I recommend booking the backstage tour in advance--it sells out.

October is a great time to visit Nashville!

You can definitely book ahead to see a show at the Opry and secure some great seats. Many times you won't know for sure though who exactly will be there until maybe a week or so before. We had good luck one time booking seats in advance and were in row 2 and Brad Paisley ended up being there (which we didn't know until the week before we went).

Definitely get tickets to the Bluebird Cafe! We had been to Nashville numerous times before we finally went and we couldn't believe why we hadn't gone sooner. Phenomenal! Just go...

http://www.bluebirdcafe.com/

And of course be sure to check out all the honkey tonks on Broadway - Tootie's, Legends, The Stage, etc.

Have fun!

Drive a bit out of town to The Loveless Cafe and have a meal there.

Try Las Pasaleto's (I think I spelled it right). $3 gourmet popsicles. Yes, they are that good. For a while it was the #1 rated place to eat on trip advisor. They have normal flavors and then stuff like avacado(taste similar to banana to me) and other exotic flavors.

and yes, get tickets asap.