WSM/AM Bitterness?

[oldies5161]

Someone who posts on this board(I cant say who) told me 2 weeks ago Hairl Hensley had had a heart attack, and this person said he thought Hairl had a stroke as well.

I've known Hairl since 1965(a janitor at the Exchange Building let me in the back door at WMAK). ;D He was always a gentleman when I would go by and see him and one of the best announers in the business. He never had the big ego so many have in big city radio.

Here's hoping Hairl makes a full recovery!

 

[RadioWarrior]

I saw Hairl 2 weeks ago and he was doing great. He's lost quite a bit of weight and he is walking with a cane, but looked and sounded wonderful. He was all smiles. He said he was not sure if he would ever get back on the air (he was at Sirius prior to his stroke) but did not rule out the possibility.

 

[Evangelist]

Hairl is a class act. God bless him and may he make a full recovery.

 

[oldies5161]

Yes indeed, Hairl IS a class act!! I wish him well!

 

[136kgb]

I listen via the internet to WSM, and when I am traveling across the country I listen to WSM. My Great Grandmother listened when the station was first licensed, my grandfather listened during World War 2, and my mother grew up in the Ozarks listening to WSM. There is no radio station in the country that can match the legend of WSM. 650 is the greatest station in the country. It is the only Class 1A that still plays music, and that is live 24/7. When I listen to WSM I know that it is the last bastian of broadcasting in the world. She is a quality full service radio station. I work for one of the largest AM stations on the west coast, and wish that my station could be 1/8th as good as "The Aircastle of The South". Jason is right that Gaylord made mistakes in the past, but give them credit Clear Channel 650 is still music! look at all of the other Class 1A's news talk or even worse sports CRAP!
KFI, WFAN/WNBC, WGN,WBBM, WSB, WSCR/WMAQ, KMOX, KOA, KSL, WBAP, WOAI, KDKA, WCBS, WABC, WLAC, WBZ. I know that I am forgetting a few Class 1As but the rest of them are garbage News Talk or Crap sports.

WSM is a lone beacon of broadcasting in a world where radio is terrible. WSM still shields millions with quality!

Long Live the Aircastle of the South!

 

[olebud]

The best station I ever had the honor of working or. but as Ralph Emery said, "it's gone from the Air Castle of the South to the Little House on the Prarie.

Bud

 

[Journeyman]

The best station I ever had the honor of working or. but as Ralph Emery said, "it's gone from the Air Castle of the South to the Little House on the Prarie.

Bud

From even the final days when you and I were there more like the House out behind the house

 

[olebud]

From even the final days when you and I were there more like the House out behind the house
So sad...but true. I just finished the book, 'WSM, Air Castle of the South.' Good book, well written. I'd recommend it to anyone in radio. A must read for those who think radio is for entertainment. It's true WSM was to help sell insurance, but the folks at the insurance company were more interested in the good it could do in Nashville and elsewhere. The year of a big flood in Louisville, Ky, WSM was there to help them out. I could tell you all about the book...but I'll just say to see where it went from its beginnings, it's a good, but sad story.
buddy

(by the way --- on another subject. Is there a spell check on this board? I can't figure out how if there is and I'm a bad speller.)

 

[Evangelist]

I listen via the internet to WSM, and when I am traveling across the country I listen to WSM. My Great Grandmother listened when the station was first licensed, my grandfather listened during World War 2, and my mother grew up in the Ozarks listening to WSM. There is no radio station in the country that can match the legend of WSM. 650 is the greatest station in the country. It is the only Class 1A that still plays music, and that is live 24/7. When I listen to WSM I know that it is the last bastian of broadcasting in the world. She is a quality full service radio station. I work for one of the largest AM stations on the west coast, and wish that my station could be 1/8th as good as "The Aircastle of The South". Jason is right that Gaylord made mistakes in the past, but give them credit Clear Channel 650 is still music! look at all of the other Class 1A's news talk or even worse sports CRAP!
KFI, WFAN/WNBC, WGN,WBBM, WSB, WSCR/WMAQ, KMOX, KOA, KSL, WBAP, WOAI, KDKA, WCBS, WABC, WLAC, WBZ. I know that I am forgetting a few Class 1As but the rest of them are garbage News Talk or Crap sports.

WSM is a lone beacon of broadcasting in a world where radio is terrible. WSM still shields millions with quality!

Long Live the Aircastle of the South!

I like WSM. But as a proud alumnus of WLAC, I am glad I had the privilege of working there with some good newspeople. Both are great AM stations. BTW, WCBS and WBBM are all-news, not news/talk, as is the legendary KYW. There's some talk I enjoy and some I don't. I do, however, enjoy the all-news format.

 

[136kgb]

The CBS news stations now are terrible compared to what they were 10 years ago. They took our great station KNX, which was the legendary home of Jack Benny, Burns and Allen, Amos and Andy, Bob Crane, etc. and threw out George Nicholoff that had built KNX into a news giant, and hired some hot shot punk from KFI. The ratings on KNX went from over a 3 share to about a 1 share. CBS is not a good broadcasting company in fact they are destroying their stations. I promise you that if you listen to WBBM or WCBS from 10 years ago it was far better. And I lump News/Talk stations together, because there is no such thing as a news only station. They will during the weekend or at somepoint run something other than just pure news.

CBS sucks!

WSM is still the King of AM Radio!

 

[Evangelist]

I won't speak for KNX but KYW is still all-news, all the time. For a season or two in the 80s, they ran some Phillies games but that was it. It's an all-news format and they're doing a fine job with it. WINS was Group W's first all-newser followed by KYW--although I think KYW does a better job of it now. I frequently listen online, especially in the mornings as there is not really much of a local news or talk presence in the AM in Nashville. KYW consistently ranks in the top five in the Philadelphia market.

WSM is very good at what it does--playing classic country. I still enjoy hearing Bill Cody, Eddie Stubbs, et al. on the air. It has also had some really good newspeople there--namely Paul Randall Dickerson, Buddy Sadler, Liz White, Marilyn Work (sp?), Deb Fehr and others. They can and should be very proud of their accomplishments. We also had our share of talented newspeople at WLAC--Ted Werbin, Sharon Kay, Jennifer Perry, Steve Sullivan and Rick Sanborn. (Deb and PRD also spent time at 'LAC.)

 

[Bat Fastard]

"WSM is the King of AM radio" was the quote. I suppose we all tend to wax nostalgic about that which was once great. However, to apply that statement to today's product probably comes as a slap in the face of all the pros who really DID make the station the "King of AM"...as it once was and now clearly isn't.

So what are the differences? The Evangelist answers part of the question by recalling some of the market's best news people. By no means is the list complete and I'll not try to complete it here. Still, what passes for news today at the "big box" outlets sucks. Frequently some of the people who deliver it suck, too. It must all be bittersweet to the true professionals like Buddy Sadler and others who once made WSM-AM the market's clear leader for news and information. I am curious to know about the rocket scientist who decided it should all be dismantled.

This is by no means the only problem the station faces. The old saying goes that "the fish always stinks from the head down". That works here, too. I once caught their General Manager red-handed lying about a particular situation. Like most liars, he didn't even seem to care. Try to get through to the G. M. Have your friends call and leave a message. Leave LOTS of messages. See if any of you EVER gets a reply. You can't produce big time radio with bush-league management.

...and remember. someone in a position up above hired him. Is anybody watching the store?

Sorry, but the best WSM-AM can produce today in the way of true broadcast management professionals is in the Chief Engineer's position. I am truly surprised they haven't messed that up, too.

 

[radionekkid]

Sorry, but the best WSM-AM can produce today in the way of true broadcast management professionals is in the Chief Engineer's position. I am truly surprised they haven't messed that up, too.

he too was let go last month i understand.

 

[olebud]

It must all be bittersweet to the true professionals who once made WSM-AM the market's clear leader for news and information. "

Thanks for the kind words, but there are were so many really good folks who came through there I hate to attempt to name them. However I worked with these and anyone is welcome to add to those I may leave out. Bob Randall, Mike Donegan, Al Voecks, Jim Hammond, Fay Esters, Don Aaron, Marilyn (Work)Smith, PRD, Scott Couch, Melissa Penry, Annette Nole, Dave Anthony (now morning anchor on Fox Radio News) Rob Smotherman, Dick Layman, Ron Jordon (only guy who ever made the farm report interesting and funny....mostlly funny) the permanent weekender, Kevin Batts, who in addition to a full time job also got his law degree and passed the bar while racking up more than 20 years on the weekends. George Plaster, Joe Fisher, Wes Durham, Kevin Ingram, Walt Adams, John Megley, Deb Fehr, Mitch Allen, Bill Conger, Dorenda Carter (you wouldn't believe some of the stuff I used to hear when dorenda, Annette and Deb went outside to smoke) Allen Dennis also came through the news room working over-nights, Harvey McGee, Andy Pearson, Jennifer Perry, Scott Shelton, Ernie Sykes, Richard Thomas (who was always ready to fly somewhere and do a live report on burning buildings in Hartsville or where ever we needed him to go), Jimmy Carter --he of t-v entertainment news. Jimmy was near a plane crash and a couple of other crime scenes when they happened and called me so we could get it on quickly (does a heck of a news report too) Also, I can't leave out Jerry Dahmen, who although news director for most of those years and responsible for most of the awards, trusted me to take care of most of the day to day running of the news room. And Tom Bryant, the production wiz who made our series and specials so so good. And Haril Hensley, who produced most of the All That's News hours while I was there, one of a kind. All the jocs who were so ready and willing to turn it over to the news room whether in ice storms, tornadoes or Antioch jet crashes and then answer phones and help out. When news broke out, each person knew they would play a part...started getting their equipment ready and went where directed.
There were more people, and I'll probably think of them as soon as I click on the 'post' button. If you think of anyone, please add their names. And to those I missed.....heck I'm getting old, and the memory goes early. I aplolgize.

TO B F...it wasn't a rocket scientist who dismatled the news room and station, it was the 'Bean Counters' who had to answer to the guys at the top. When stations get stock holders as partners, everything else goes out the window, except...keep the share holders happy and don't spend money. At least that's my take.
I just want to thank all those named and those I missed for making the news so much fun and so good during my nearly 22 years there. No one person did it, but as a group, we worked like a well-oiled machine. I think the midstate was better for it. BS

 

[136kgb]

Just so you guys know Watt Hairston (chief engineer) was not let go he wanted to retire, and they decided to make the position a part time position instead of full time. Just wait until WSM goes off the air during the Opry, and the part timer is working at his other jobs. For the first time since 1925 there will be no Grand Ole Opry that night, because they decided to save 25 or 30K a year. Hey they learn from CBS and Cumulus.

 

[redneckriviera]

Not to rain on Jason's parade, or--to flip the metaphor--pour gas on the flames... but I'm (unfortunately) old enough to remember many of WSM's first 54 years when they buried Country music--playing "hillbilly music" only at night. During the day, when they made their money, WSM was an AC--or more accurately--an MOR station. A damn good one--as was 980/WSIX-AM during the sixties and seventies--but much more reflective of Nashville's "Athens of The South" image of that time than the city's current national image as the "Capital of Country Music." Before the genre became Big Business, Nashville went out of its way to distance itself from Country music.

Further back in the fifties and forties, WSM was a big NBC network station, carrying the kind of network fare (soaps, comedies, dramas, variety shows) we now think of as TV entertainment. Yes, the "Opry" ran on Saturday nights. But then--as now--Saturday night was/is throw-away time in radio. Don't get me wrong--I'm sure the "Opry" was a good little money-maker for WSM all through its history. But it wasn't the core of WSM's programming. It was a "specialty show."

The last 30 years? WSM-AM has always been an also-ran in Nashville. They have squandered some great opportunities to re-group at different times and emerge as a market leader. But 650 is certainly not the only terrific AM property to be mis-managed as the industry has become dominated by Wall Street ROI demands.

Today? Hey, it's kinda cool. There's definitely a market for Country Oldies, and I suppose there will always be a tiny group of people who want to hear the occasional obscure cut with some historic significance. And, yes, the "Opry" will likely continue to be a good little money-maker for WSM well beyond my own funeral.

Jason, there are hundreds (thousands) of us on this board and elsewhere in the industry who would love to be doing what you are doing. You're one lucky (and talented) SOB, and we envy you the opportunity you have to play great tunes on a great stick.

Keep up the good work!

 

[oldies5161]

Just so you guys know Watt Hairston (chief engineer) was not let go he wanted to retire, and they decided to make the position a part time position instead of full time. Just wait until WSM goes off the air during the Opry, and the part timer is working at his other jobs. For the first time since 1925 there will be no Grand Ole Opry that night, because they decided to save 25 or 30K a year. Hey they learn from CBS and Cumulus.

You're correct about Watt. He told me in emails a few weeks ago that he was going to retire and persue other interests. Cumulus screws up most of what it touches. What a shame. :'(

 

[Journeyman]

Just so you guys know Watt Hairston (chief engineer) was not let go he wanted to retire, and they decided to make the position a part time position instead of full time. Just wait until WSM goes off the air during the Opry, and the part timer is working at his other jobs. For the first time since 1925 there will be no Grand Ole Opry that night, because they decided to save 25 or 30K a year. Hey they learn from CBS and Cumulus.

You're correct about Watt. He told me in emails a few weeks ago that he was going to retire and persue other interests. Cumulus screws up most of what it touches. What a shame. :'(

Maybe, but none of this has anything to do with Cumukus. Watt worked for Gaylord. Cumulus never owned WSM-AM. Even the JSA expired.

 

[oldies5161]

Just so you guys know Watt Hairston (chief engineer) was not let go he wanted to retire, and they decided to make the position a part time position instead of full time. Just wait until WSM goes off the air during the Opry, and the part timer is working at his other jobs. For the first time since 1925 there will be no Grand Ole Opry that night, because they decided to save 25 or 30K a year. Hey they learn from CBS and Cumulus.

Please forgive my error. Of course its Gaylord and not Cumulus.

You're correct about Watt. He told me in emails a few weeks ago that he was going to retire and persue other interests. Cumulus screws up most of what it touches. What a shame. :'(

Maybe, but none of this has anything to do with Cumukus. Watt worked for Gaylord. Cumulus never owned WSM-AM. Even the JSA expired.

 

[oldies5161]

Just so you guys know Watt Hairston (chief engineer) was not let go he wanted to retire, and they decided to make the position a part time position instead of full time. Just wait until WSM goes off the air during the Opry, and the part timer is working at his other jobs. For the first time since 1925 there will be no Grand Ole Opry that night, because they decided to save 25 or 30K a year. Hey they learn from CBS and Cumulus.

You're correct about Watt. He told me in emails a few weeks ago that he was going to retire and persue other interests. Cumulus screws up most of what it touches. What a shame. :'(

Maybe, but none of this has anything to do with Cumukus. Watt worked for Gaylord. Cumulus never owned WSM-AM. Even the JSA expired.

You are correct. I know Gaylord owns WSM-AM. I plead old age.