WSM/AM Bitterness?

[scottwmro]

At one time it was said that the parking lot at Opryland made more money than the Radio station! Not sure if it was true but it does make you think.

Well, if the parking lot makes more than the radio station, lets just move Bonnaroo outside the Opry House and Hotel. I'm sure all the tourist that come to fanfiar would just love that, and "The Old Solemn Old Judge, George D. Hay, would roll over in his grave if he saw Bonnaroo on the Opry Grounds and on WSM (HA!)

 

[briancraig]

I'm sure George Hay, Edwin Craig, Uncle Dave Macon, Roy Acuff, Grant Turner, Minnie Pearl etc. are already rolling over in their graves over some of the changes in the Opry, Nashville and country music in general.

I was backstage at the Opry one night a couple of years ago and AAA artist Mary Gauthier was making a guest appearance on the Opry and one of the Opry members was complaining to another member about some of the recent guests on the show.

 

[olebud]

At one time it was said that the parking lot at Opryland made more money than the Radio station! Not sure if it was true but it does make you think.
Come on -- Yes the radio stations were the 'little' brothers in terms of making money --- when compared to TNN - CMN and the Hotel. THe Networks, as I recall, began pulling their own weight about two years earlier than had been forcast. And then they were cash hogs I imagine the t-v networks were doing better than the hotel.
BUT --- the Gaylords were already letting someone else run their radio station (50k watts) in Oklahoma City and started selling the T-V station that were owned. With the people they brought in, it appeared the focus was going to be the hotels. Back when American General had taken over National Life, WSM TV had already gone to George Gillette and the two radio stations were put in a special fund until someone came along to buy them. Here comes Ed Gaylord on his white horse to save the day. And times were good until he aged and quit coming around as much. Then it was Eddie Gaylord. You can make up your own ending from this point....as a couple already do,--- constantly.

And for that other killer, time, in 1980, folks were saying the Opry's listeners were dying off. They were and they did...and they still are. But hey, if I understand things, listeners to all formats are dying off...unless they've discovered the fountain of youth. but that is for another day.
Or I could be mistaken ;D

 

[Don78]

One question, the guy who does traffic reports on all the cumulus stations in town, Comander Chuck, they bill him as "Nashville's only airborne traffic". I thought Richard Thomas was also airborne. Am I wrong?

 

[scottwmro]

At one time it was said that the parking lot at Opryland made more money than the Radio station! Not sure if it was true but it does make you think.
Come on -- Yes the radio stations were the 'little' brothers in terms of making money --- when compared to TNN - CMN and the Hotel. THe Networks, as I recall, began pulling their own weight about two years earlier than had been forcast. And then they were cash hogs I imagine the t-v networks were doing better than the hotel.
BUT --- the Gaylords were already letting someone else run their radio station (50k watts) in Oklahoma City and started selling the T-V station that were owned. With the people they brought in, it appeared the focus was going to be the hotels. Back when American General had taken over National Life, WSM TV had already gone to George Gillette and the two radio stations were put in a special fund until someone came along to buy them. Here comes Ed Gaylord on his white horse to save the day. And times were good until he aged and quit coming around as much. Then it was Eddie Gaylord. You can make up your own ending from this point....as a couple already do,--- constantly.

And for that other killer, time, in 1980, folks were saying the Opry's listeners were dying off. They were and they did...and they still are. But hey, if I understand things, listeners to all formats are dying off...unless they've discovered the fountain of youth. but that is for another day.
Or I could be mistaken ;D

Buddy's right, all of the format's on today's radio are dying. Everybody (artist wise) is going in different directions and nobody can put labels on what some of these newer artist are. The artist, thier promoters, don't even know themselves.

Now when they have decided to put AAA artist Mary Gauthier on the Opry, we all know Edwin Craig and the Old Solemn Judge wouldn't like that at all! Oh, don't worry, one of these days somebody will come up with a dumb idea to combine the Opry, Fanfair, and Bonnaroo all together. That's when AAA and this new Country will come together as one. I can just see Peral Jam and Sheryl Crow on the Opryroo!

There is already some nuts over there at the Hall of Fame, that are trying to ruin it, and in the future, after we are dead and gone, it will be the Hall of Shame!

 

[skippertthomas]

..On the park.. When I was in CCM in Nashville, the park started losing money and fast.. Drop off was heavy within the five year period I was in town.. Even when we had promotions with several stations for music events held throughout the park, rides were light and and most came to see their favorite group and leave.. No new rides and others were off to the 'superparks' in Atlanta, St. Louis, Cincy, etc... They should have hired the Koch Family up in southern Indiana, only 2.5 hours north.. Their "Holiday World" has maintaned a growth pattern without going off the end.. Year after year, voted America's Most Family Friendly Park and they invest in new attractions every year or two...Waterpark, Theme, Rides and it's in Santa Claus, IN... They even have two of the top ten wooden rollercoasters in the world... And for a family price... Most of the shows at Opryland were starting to age with the audience and thus, the aging of The Opry artists and audience....

 

[K4WRF]

One question, the guy who does traffic reports on all the cumulus stations in town, Comander Chuck, they bill him as "Nashville's only airborne traffic". I thought Richard Thomas was also airborne. Am I wrong?

Well as of this afternoon, Richard Thomas was still flying and giving those traffic reports and I susspect he will continue doing that. False advertizing I guess or misunderstanding.

As it was once said, "Communications is our business, not our practice".

Best,
w/

 

[Evangelist]

One question, the guy who does traffic reports on all the cumulus stations in town, Comander Chuck, they bill him as "Nashville's only airborne traffic". I thought Richard Thomas was also airborne. Am I wrong?

Well as of this afternoon, Richard Thomas was still flying and giving those traffic reports and I susspect he will continue doing that. False advertizing I guess or misunderstanding.

As it was once said, "Communications is our business, not our practice".

Best,
w/

Well said, sir.

 

[scottwmro]

One question, the guy who does traffic reports on all the cumulus stations in town, Comander Chuck, they bill him as "Nashville's only airborne traffic". I thought Richard Thomas was also airborne. Am I wrong?

Well as of this afternoon, Richard Thomas was still flying and giving those traffic reports and I susspect he will continue doing that. False advertizing I guess or misunderstanding.

As it was once said, "Communications is our business, not our practice".

Best,
w/

Well said, sir.

Watt knows the Gospel Truth. He is the King of that Blaw-Knox!

 

[firepoint525]

So is Phil Jones not going up in "Sky 5" anymore? ??? Or are we just referring to radio traffic reporters? ???

 

[oldies5161]

Where is Hairl Hensley these days?

 

[Don78]

Good Question Sir. The biggest most boneheaded mistake WSM ever did was to get rid of Hairl. Cutting back on their News Dept. was awful but getting rid of double H was just stupid. I rarely listen to 650 now that he and the old news team are gone (that includes ole Bud, one of the best I have ever heard). IMHO all they have left of their former greatness is Richard Thomas.

 

[Evangelist]

Richard is still doing WSM's traffic and is also part of the team of reporters with Metro Networks and doing a fine job.

 

[kyscott]

It's hard not to be bitter with what Gaylord did. Especally not being able to understand the reasoning behind it. I lost my job with TNN after the sale. I loved Nashville and the folks at TNN "were gold, Jerry" and I miss them all. It really broke my heart seeing the pictures of all our gear sitting on pallets in studio B getting ready to be shipped to New York. That was a top notch facility.

However I could not make the money I wanted with any of the television stations there and had to leave. I think of my time there and my former co-workers every time I drive through Nashville heading to Georgia to see my family.

Gaylord blew it, now they have to live with their mistakes.

 

[ShadowB]

I worked for CMT International when the sale went down. CBS didn't want us and Gaylord kept us on the air with the idea that when the non compete was up they would come back on in the states with another network. Something like TNN and CMT. I got word that that plan wasn't going to happen and got out. They shut our network down in 2002 ( 0r 2003 I think) TNN and CMT were great for Nashville and it's sad to think of all the folks that had to move on when they were sold.

 

[jetfli]

I remember the many friends who lost their jobs in those days, and how much Nashville lost at the hands of the short sighted ("nothing personal, just business", of course).

For 2008 the question is, can RFD rise from the ashes of TNN?

 

[Mike Sheridan]

Jason if you're reading this WSM is an amazing radio station. There are zero radio stations that are as good as they once were. Radio is suffing in the hands of investors rather than people who want to own and operate a radio station.

That said WSM is special. I remember the first time I heard LIVE music on the radio, it was WSM on Saturday night. WSM over the years has done so much not only for Country Music but music in general. I hope WSM goes on forever just like it is.

 

[radionekkid]

many of the decisions over the years over there have been based on a very narrow perspective and not on the big picture. alway been that way and looks like that is what goes on these days as well. if this were 5k watt station, it would have gone out of business long ago. power and reach is only selling point and salvation right now. hope they keep tower maintained in good shape.

 

[kyscott]

many of the decisions over the years over there have been based on a very narrow perspective and not on the big picture.

Major market radio today is run one quarter at a time.

 

[radionekkid]

many of the decisions over the years over there have been based on a very narrow perspective and not on the big picture.

Major market radio today is run one quarter at a time.

that statement is correct and i hear that they have now parted ways with their last only fulltime engineer and will replace with part time help to further cut out expenses. i think jack dewitt is now rolling over in his grave, sad decline.