About WSM Radio
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100 Years of Bringing Country Music to the World
Home of the Longest Running Radio Program in History
650 AM WSM is the most famed country music station in the world. Each day, the station shares country, bluegrass, and Americana as well as the excitement of Music City with friends in Middle Tennessee and listeners around the world.
WSM debuted on Oct. 5, 1925, and less than two months later, the station would birth its most famous show (and the show that would make country music famous), the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry was the first of WSMâs shows to develop such an excited audience that fans would visit live studio broadcasts. That tradition continues today not only with the Opry, but with other signature programming including âCoffee, Country & Codyâ, and more.
In 1928, WSM was given the frequency of 650 kilohertz and admission to an elite group of maximum power, Class 1-A clear-channel broadcasters. In 1932, the stationâs new 50,000-watt transmitter made it a nation-spanning giant. At the heart of this expansion was a diamond-shaped vertical antenna located just South of Nashville, the tallest tower in the nation at the time. The station today still spans the nation with its AM signal, of course, while also circling the globe online.
WSM has gone on to become a broadcasting giant and a friend to hundreds of thousands of fans. The station has won hundreds of broadcasting awards and was named Country Radio Station of the Century by âRadio & Recordsâ in 2000. WSMâs personalities are nationally recognized figures in country music, and its listeners range from U.S. Presidents to Country Music Hall of Famers, to artists climbing the charts toward their first number one hit. You never know when a famous listener might drop in for a visit or to take the studioâs reigns for a while.
October 5th, 1925: 650 AM WSM was Founded
WSM first signed on the air when the National Life and Accident Insurance Company debuted WSM on October 5, 1925.
The call letters âWSMâ reflected National Lifeâs motto: âWe Shield Millions.â
November 28th, 1925: Grand Ole Opry was Founded
Less than two months later, WSM birthed itâs most famous show (and the show that would make country music famous), the Grand Ole Opry.
Originally titled the WSM Barn Dance and spearheaded by George D. Day and Uncle Jimmy Thompson, The Opry was the first WSM show to develop such an excited audience that fans would visit live studio broadcasts.
1928: 650 Kilohertz and Sky Castle
In 1928, WSM was given the frequency of 650 kilohertz and admission to an elite group of maximum power, Class 1-A clear-channel broadcasters. In 1932, the stationâs new 50,000-watt transmitter made it a nation-spanning giant.
At the heart of this expansion was a diamond-shaped vertical antenna located just South of Nashville, the tallest tower in the nation at the time, thus 650 AM WSM.
1939: Tower Reduction and WWII
When the 878-foot tower was built, it was the tallest antenna in North America. Its height was reduced in 1939 when it was discovered that the taller tower was causing self-cancellation in the âfringe areas.â
For a period during World War II, it was designated to provide transmissions to submarines in the event that ship-to-shore communications were lost. It is now one of the oldest operating broadcast towers in the United States.
1941: First Commercial FM License in the U.S.
National Life and Accident Insurance Company, owners of 650 AM WSM, became the first commercial broadcaster in the U.S, to receive a commercial FM license from the FCC.
1950: Nashville's First TV Station
WSM first signed on the air as WSM-TV September 30, 1950. It was Nashvilleâs first television station, and only the second in Tennessee.
The 1950's
The â50s had it all â honky-tonk, bluegrass, crooners, comedy, even a little rock ânâ roll. During this time, the Grand Ole Opry featured established acts like Flatt & Scruggs and Mother Maybelle Carter, and created stars like Stonewall Jackson.
Some of the acts that made the Opry one of the nationâs most popular music programs during this decade were Johnny Cash, Kitty Wells, George Jones, Faron Young, Porter Wagoner, Chet Atkins, Ray Price, Jean Shepard, Hank Snow, and many more.
The 1960's
The â60âs brought a bevy of young talent. In the first year alone, Patsy Cline, Hank Locklin, George Hamilton IV, and Billy Walker all became the Grand Ole Opry members.
Playing through the airwaves, among many others, were Ernie Ashworth, Stu Phillips, Dottie West, Patsy Cline, Bobby Bare, Loretta Lynn, Ray Pillow, The Osborne Brothers, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, The Browns, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Connie Smith, and Charlie Walker.
1969: Opryland, USA
In late September, 1969, WSM President Irving Waugh formally announces plans for Opryland, USA.
The 1970's
Pat Sajak, host of TVâs Wheel of Fortune, served as the afternoon air personality of 650 AM WSM during the mid-70âs.
During that time, he doubled as a voice-over announcer and weekend weathercaster on WSM-TV.
1974: Grand Ole Opry House
In 1974, the Grand Ole Opry found a new home, leaving the urban surroundings of the Ryman, for the brand-new Grand Ole Opry House and adjoining theme park.
In attendance on the first night, March 15, 1974 was none other than President Richard Nixon. That nightâs show began with Roy Acuffâs âWabash Cannonball,â which the Opry seamlessly paid tribute to in their recent celebration of the 40th Anniversary of the Opry Houseâs opening with Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show.
The 1980's
While 650 AM WSM is where country music was essentially launched into the American mainstream, it did not begin airing country music full-time until 1980.
The 1990's
Country Musicâs popularity exploded during the â90s, creating a new generation of country superstars, many of whom became official members of the Opry family in addition to delivering chart-topping hit after hit.
Among those include Opry members Clint Black, Alan Jackson, Emmylou Harris, Steve Wariner, Charley Pride, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Johnny Paycheck and many more.
Late 1990's: WSM Goes Online
In the late 90âs, 650 AM WSM launched a 24/7 live web stream of itâs signal accessible via wsmradio.com. Soon to come were upgraded online experiences, mobile apps, video content and much more.
2008: NAB Marcni Award
WSM has won hundreds of broadcasting awards and was named Country Radio Station of the Century by âRadio & Recordsâ in 2000.
In 2008, 650 AM WSMâs legendary status was recognized in the form of a NAB Marconi Award, the radio industryâs highest honor.
Today: 650 AM WSM
Today, 650 AM WSM has become a broadcasting giant and a friend to hundreds of thousands of fans. WSM personalities are nationally recognized figures in country music, and its listeners range from U.S. Presidents to Country Music Hall of Famers, to artists climbing the charts toward their first number one hit.