Not to mention that WSM has a terrific app with multiple channels and the main channel streams on iHeart now as well.
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650 WSM's long term future
- Thread starter Murfradiojim
- Start date
XM, before its acquisition by Sirius, used to carry WSIX Nashville, but not of its own volition. Clear Channel (now iHeart) provided money XM needed to launch, but that money came with a quid pro quo: a chunk of bandwidth for Clear Channel to fill with some of its own commercial FMs. It was years before Clear Channel walked away from that deal.
WSM is much more a brand than a radio station. AM 650 nowadays is just one of many options and platforms for listening. It's the media arm of the Opry. Even if I lived in Nashville, I would never listen to the AM (lousy signal quality), just streaming.
WSM isn't going away, if anything it continues to grow, reaching more people than ever worldwide. The days of being just a Nashville radio station are long gone.
Where I live there is an Audacy owned Country station. But for Country music, I only listen to the WSM stream, if that tells you anything.
WSM isn't going away, if anything it continues to grow, reaching more people than ever worldwide. The days of being just a Nashville radio station are long gone.
Where I live there is an Audacy owned Country station. But for Country music, I only listen to the WSM stream, if that tells you anything.
It tells me you don't like current mainstream country music, and you either don't have a classic country station in your area, or the one you have doesn't play music that goes back far enough to suit your tastes.
Listening to WSM is SO much more interesting than KSON, the San Diego station. I enjoy the variety on WSM, the classics, the currents, Americana, up and coming artists that haven't made it big time yet, the interviews and drop by from Country artists, the Opry, great shows like the one at night that explores the history of Country music, and the overall sense of having a real love for the music I don't get elsewhere. There is no Classic Country here, even if there was, it would still be WSM.
Actually, CT, secondchoice has a REALLY good choice for WSM-AM, in my opinion. A smart partnership, even if you just do it for the 100th anniversary year is a pretty cool marketing idea for everyone involved. "It's where radio has gone." Also, for the record, Nashville (true Nashvillians) have generally be less thrilled with country music than all the billions of tourists., That fake, good ole hayseed image always was a put down. The working relationship between Nashville and
country music is probably closer and better than it has ever been.
BigA - how would "they" make money by being downtown? I think they would have to create a series of entertainment venues that draw younger, middle age and older audiences in to seperate venues in the same spot. Have quality restaurants and some smart and articulate shops. They have the names too perform. They would increase their name by ten times, because only old people go to the GOO and currently no one from Nashville gives a damn to go to"Opryland." It's a mortuary. The Nu Grand Ole Opry might be just the thing. The hotel draws tourists and some locals, but they really have been pretty dismal "neighbors" for decades. Have you seen that area surrounding the hotel? They need to come along for the ride and up their game downtown. "They" are not substantial players downtown. Wildhorse could have been an international brand. Botched. Ole Red? Blake who? There will be fifty more stars open fifty more bars in the next three to five years. They had some brands that have more staying power than the star of the week That's a tough category to win. Certainly, they have not maximized the potential. It won't be easy. They need to go for it.
The WSM/Acuff move is indeed interesting. I spent time in that building way back when Roy Acuff was actually in that building. II am that damn old. I dunno how I feel about turning it into a studio. I know it's snazzy. State-of-the-Art. But, it's not a draw.
Popcorn is still expensive. I hope it's better than I recall. Among the worst in my experiences over the years. Expensive mediocrity is unacceptable in 2025. They need to get with it.
country music is probably closer and better than it has ever been.
BigA - how would "they" make money by being downtown? I think they would have to create a series of entertainment venues that draw younger, middle age and older audiences in to seperate venues in the same spot. Have quality restaurants and some smart and articulate shops. They have the names too perform. They would increase their name by ten times, because only old people go to the GOO and currently no one from Nashville gives a damn to go to"Opryland." It's a mortuary. The Nu Grand Ole Opry might be just the thing. The hotel draws tourists and some locals, but they really have been pretty dismal "neighbors" for decades. Have you seen that area surrounding the hotel? They need to come along for the ride and up their game downtown. "They" are not substantial players downtown. Wildhorse could have been an international brand. Botched. Ole Red? Blake who? There will be fifty more stars open fifty more bars in the next three to five years. They had some brands that have more staying power than the star of the week That's a tough category to win. Certainly, they have not maximized the potential. It won't be easy. They need to go for it.
The WSM/Acuff move is indeed interesting. I spent time in that building way back when Roy Acuff was actually in that building. II am that damn old. I dunno how I feel about turning it into a studio. I know it's snazzy. State-of-the-Art. But, it's not a draw.
Popcorn is still expensive. I hope it's better than I recall. Among the worst in my experiences over the years. Expensive mediocrity is unacceptable in 2025. They need to get with it.
KilowattKat (kool monikat by the way) - can you tell us how old you are? That helps us see where you are coming from. Message me your info, I think you may qualify for a 100th Anniversary shirt. If I owned WSM-AM, you wouldn't be able to get downtown without seeing it. It's REAL Nashville. Not that stupid ass Nash Icon or whatever it wasn't. You are a rare breed listener, in a good way, for sure.
As I said, they've already done that. Luke Combs is a big star, and they own a Luke Combs branded restaurant/theater. You want it to last 100 years? It won't. That's not the world we live in now. Everything is temporary. Get it while you can. The future won't be like the past. They're replacing Nissan Stadium because after just 25 years, it's toast. So's the team that plays there. Ha!
The team was toast when they were in the land of oil rigged, and have fallen beyond help.
(Note thew new entertainment venue opening downtown in 2025 in Nashville Yards. Pretty awesome. Little Las Vegassville)
YOU said radio would be around forever and that was why YOU approved of the crazy multiples/prices, too. Haha! Take that. You aren't a Jets fan, are ya?
(Note thew new entertainment venue opening downtown in 2025 in Nashville Yards. Pretty awesome. Little Las Vegassville)
YOU said radio would be around forever and that was why YOU approved of the crazy multiples/prices, too. Haha! Take that. You aren't a Jets fan, are ya?
Winnipeg? No.
You tourists are all the same. See you next trip down. I know a good Waffle House. Not so good at music venues.
There is no such thing. But I like Jack's BBQ.
What do you think about RCA Studios?
Thank you for the compliment! I'm at the midway point between leaving the desired demographic age for advertisers, and retirement age ( 65).
Do I still qualify for that 100th anniversary shirt? Would love to have one.
You are exactly the age that the "WSM-AM style venue" project would work for. I will get on the shirt asap. I generally don't keep my word, according to my last eight wives. (Kidding on the number of ex-wives.)
BigA - I gotcha covered on true bbq. Have not had Jack's in ages. There are some seriously hidden gems in the radius.
Guess you forgot about 50kw KTNN AM 660 in Window Rock, AZ. Almost always hear country music when I pick them up at night, but sometimes they air Native-American pow wow chants.
It's still FCC licensed and subject to all regulations.
And 50kw Oldies 940 KYNO Fresno, CA.