EXHIBIT 99


(GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT LOGO)                             INFORMATION FOR RELEASE


                  GAYLORD ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY CLOSES SALE OF
                    WORD ENTERTAINMENT TO WARNER MUSIC GROUP


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jan. 7, 2002) - Gaylord Entertainment Company (NYSE:GET), the
hospitality and entertainment company whose holdings include the Gaylord Hotels
and the Grand Ole Opry, today announced that it has completed the sale of its
Word Entertainment division to Warner Music Group (WMG) for $84.1 million in
cash. The previously announced sale reinforces Gaylord's strategy to focus on
its core and profitable hospitality and entertainment businesses.

Word Entertainment is a leading player in the multi-faceted contemporary
Christian music industry. The company is home to more than 30 active artists on
several record labels and has approximately 45 Christian songwriters under
contract. Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown Inc., served as financial advisor to Gaylord
on this transaction.

Gaylord Entertainment Company is a diversified hospitality and entertainment
company headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., and its stock is traded on the New
York Stock Exchange (symbol: GET). Among its businesses are the Gaylord Hotels,
the Grand Ole Opry, Acuff-Rose Music Publishing, and WSM Radio.


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Media Contact: Beth Peden
E-mail: bpeden@gaylordentertainment.com
Telephone: 615-316-6552

Investor Contact: David Kloeppel
E-mail: dkloeppel@gaylordentertainment.com
Telephone: 615-316-6101