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650 WSM's long term future

I haven't punched that AM button when in Nashville in a long time. WSM-FM plays more of what I want to hear and fewer museum pieces from 1963.

I used to DX Eddie Stubbs, and even learned a few songs that I really enjoyed from him. But he retired a while ago and I've not gone out of my way to listen to his replacement.

We can safely assume that WSM isn't making immense profits. The question is whether Ryman Hospitality thinks it enhances their business at all.
Loved Eddie Stubbs.
 
WSM's big 100th birthday is on October 5. The website is all gussied up for the celebration with a new look honoring the history. There is also a new 2 hour show on Monday nights called 'WSM Remembers', that takes listeners on a journey through the 100 year history of WSM. Tonight, the show airs earlier from 5-7pm due to a special Monday night Opry show featuring Jelly Roll.

BTW, how does everyone feel about Sabrina Carpenter being welcomed into the Opry circle? This move has definitely stirred up controversy.

 
WSM's big 100th birthday is on October 5. The website is all gussied up for the celebration with a new look honoring the history. There is also a new 2 hour show on Monday nights called 'WSM Remembers', that takes listeners on a journey through the 100 year history of WSM. Tonight, the show airs earlier from 5-7pm due to a special Monday night Opry show featuring Jelly Roll.

BTW, how does everyone feel about Sabrina Carpenter being welcomed into the Opry circle? This move has definitely stirred up controversy.

That is just for a single appearance, right? That has been done before with other pop stars, it is not like they are inviting her to be a full-time Opry member, so I think that is just an opportunity for people who don't normally listen to come see what the Opry is about.
 
One of the famous moments was when The Byrds, who were promoting their Sweetheart of the Rodeo album, appeared and got boo'd off the stage. They later appeared on WSM with Ralph Emery, and he refused to play their music. Looking back, it was countrier than most of the other music they played.

 
BTW, how does everyone feel about Sabrina Carpenter being welcomed into the Opry circle? This move has definitely stirred up controversy.

I think it's an astute decision to schedule her here. I view it as 'look at our storied past, but the Opry is also poised for the future' type of messaging.

WSMs heritage and tight ties to the Opry will keep it going for now and, I think, for at least several more years. Much depends on what happens with the AM band.
 
I believe Ralph later had a show "Pop Goes The Country" which wasn't traditional Country.
Any thing for a dollar đź’µ.
"Pop Goes the Country," "That Nashville Music" and "Nashville on the Road" were staples of weekend daytime TV in the '70s and early '80s. All featured mainstream Nashville country artists, some more traditional and "twangy" than others, but certainly not folk-rock acts like the Byrds or flat-out pop singers that country radio ignored. The same names would circulate among the shows, IIRC. Charley Pride was just as likely to show up on any of them as Sylvia was.

Here's a 1974 episode of "Pop" featuring Connie Smith and Merle Haggard. Can't get much more country (and non-pop) than that!
 
The Sabrina Carpenter thing is interesting. What a world we live in where I can grab a transistor radio and DX Sabrina Carpenter live on WSM on the Opry. Wow!

I, too, think it's a smart move. I gotta say - some of the songs on her Short 'n Sweet album have more of a country twang than some of the stuff on the country airplay chart. Plus, she's got the Dolly Parton collab on that album, too.

I'm also kinda confused what the big surprise is about - didn't the Opry announce late last year that they were expanding into different genres and have some pretty heavy rockers on? I can't find much press now about that but I could swear it happened. Seemed like it kinda got swept under the rug.

Bruce Springsteen played the Opry in '76. If he can play it...
 
The Beach Boys made their Opry debut in 2022:


Aerosmith's Steven Tyler made his Opry debut in 2016


Motley Crue's Vince Neil made his Opry debut in 2022:

 
If only they'd at least bring just the Cup Series back to 650....and if there's Saturday night races, move those to 95.5 so the Opry stays on 650.
 
One has to wonder how much more time they'll let WSM just kind of linger on while also hemorrhaging money keeping it on. Sure, you'll say they don't care but they will eventually have to do something with it. I believe the time for it to have some relevance in the market has passed since just about any other kind of format that could go on a AM is done by other stations, some of which are on FM. Okay, it isn't meant to be revelant now, but what other choice is there? It's not all that long ago that a lot of money was spent on the plant to fix the damage caused by a lightning strike.
 
One has to wonder how much more time they'll let WSM just kind of linger on while also hemorrhaging money keeping it on.

As we've said, they're not in the radio business. The radio supports the hospitality business. If you pay $50 for the Opry backstage tour, you can also tour the WSM studio.


They're really not "hemorrhaging money." All those Opry sponsorships you hear during the live show also pay for WSM. The whole thing is available online worldwide.
 
As we've said, they're not in the radio business. The radio supports the hospitality business. If you pay $50 for the Opry backstage tour, you can also tour the WSM studio.


They're really not "hemorrhaging money." All those Opry sponsorships you hear during the live show also pay for WSM. The whole thing is available online worldwide.
Looking at the corporate ownership structure, it seems they can easily afford it. They still have all of those resorts. I was under the impression they sold them all to another hotel chain.
 
Looking at the corporate ownership structure, it seems they can easily afford it. They still have all of those resorts. I was under the impression they sold them all to another hotel chain.
Oh yeah, there is A LOT of money behind WSM-AM! I wouldn't worry if they can afford to operate WSM as is....

WSM-AM in Nashville, TN is owned by Opry Entertainment Group, which is a joint venture of Ryman Hospitality Properties, NBCUniversal, and Atairos. WSM-AM, the radio home of the Grand Ole Opry, operates under WSM-AM, LLC.
 
I am also sure that Gaylord knows the streaming numbers and, more importantly, WHERE they are coming from. Other than music industry listeners, WSM-AM is NOT aimed at Nashville in the slightest.
 
Didn't they use to get a better rate for music clearance by being a radio station than just a streaming service? I know everything has changed since I had to deal with the music copyright services.
 


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