Happy Birthday, WSM Radio!
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On October 5, 1925, radio station WSM Nashville was born. Little did anyone know what greatness this station was destined for.
First, it was assigned the 650 kHz position on the AM dial, becoming what we and the FCC call a "Class 1-A" AM station. This essentially refers to the most technically powerful radio station permitted under U.S. law: 50,000 watts day and night, with a perfect circle signal pattern, and with no other station licensed to operate on that frequency within a 750 mile radius of that station's transmitting tower. The 50,000 watt authorization became effective in 1932 and has been that way ever since. WSM's legendary tower and transmitter are located in Brentwood TN, just south of Nashville. The station has studios in various locations in the Nashville area.
Secondly, it has been the home of the longest running radio show in history, the Grand Ole Opry, that premiered November 25, 1925. Originally called "The WSM Barn Dance Show", the program has been broadcast from several locations in Nashville and today rotates from the Grand Ole Opry House (situated by the Opryland Hotel) and occasionally the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. So many talented and famous country music stars have performed over the years at the Opry. As of today, the Opry recognizes over 200 artists and groups who are or have been members.
The call letters WSM stand for "We Shield Millions," as it had been owned by the National Life & Accident Insurance Company. In 1981, Edward L. Gaylord, an Oklahoma media billionaire and a country music aficionado, acquired Opryland USA from American General Life Insurance, which included the Opry, Opryland USA (which consisted of the Opryland Hotel and Theme Park), and WSM-AM/FM. E.W. "Bud" Wendell, a former debit life insurance salesman for National Life & Accident and later General Manager of the Opry, became President and CEO of Opryland USA. These companies became a part of Gaylord Entertainment Company, the former owner of KTVT. WSM-FM was later sold to Cumulus Media. For a short time, Cumulus managed WSM-AM for Gaylord but today it has reverted back to Gaylord, which was later renamed Ryman Hospitality Properties in 2012.
One of WSM's biggest assets is evening personality Eddie Stubbs. Eddie has been with the station for many years and is the most knowledgeable person on Earth about country music………hands down! With a beautiful on air voice, Eddie can be heard when WSM's "skywave" signal takes effect. That's when it reaches close to 40 states at night, depending on atmospheric conditions. Depending where you are, you could pick it and it would sound like your local station in your town! So when the Opry airs at night, it too is covering close to 40 states at night too and a favorite of the truckers on the road!
Happy Birthday WSM!!
See you next time.
