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WSM
- Thread starter radiorob2.0
- Start date
scottwmro said:
I don't see that happening, or want it to happen. As far as I'm concerned satellite radio is meant to be an alternative venue to local radio. The Opry is one thing but I don't see what the rest of WSM Nashville has to offer to the rest of the country. Even when it was on Sirius. Besides, once we get mobile internet, wsmonline.com can serve those who wish to listen.
One thing about the history of WSM that most people don't seem to know is they did not go 100% country until October of 1979. They always had a full service/MOR format until 6 pm.
I have some WSM music surveys from the 1970s. They list some pop records that are almost hard to believe were ever played on 650.
I have some WSM music surveys from the 1970s. They list some pop records that are almost hard to believe were ever played on 650.
I thought FM was going to be the end of AM? Now it's mobile internet? LOL - AM serves a great purpose and it is here to stay as long as the FCC doesn't regulate everyone to death. Someone will figure out IBOC one day and improve the quality if we're all ready to plunk down the $$ for the new radios - I'm not. Don't forget C-QUAM was going to change the way we listened to radio! A well engineered station still sounds good enough for me.
And remember, mobile internet is going to seriously harm the AM and SW bands if approved - I don't see that chunk of spectrum being given up for internet service that is not going to come cheap no matter what they say.
When I had a commute in and out of Nashville everyday, I listened to WSM because the traffic was the best in town. The news is also superior to WLAC - you'd think they would be better considering they are news/talk. I enjoy the music also but I listen to just about every format when I'm in the mood. I even have my autographed Keith Bilbrey picture from the Wilson County Fair! That one stirred up a lot of conversations when it was hanging in my office.
I have XM and I chose it over Sirius for WSIX. I love the fact I can listen to WSIX as I go across the state or across the country. But, when I'm home, I still find myself turning off the XM and listening locally - to FM and AM.
And remember, mobile internet is going to seriously harm the AM and SW bands if approved - I don't see that chunk of spectrum being given up for internet service that is not going to come cheap no matter what they say.
When I had a commute in and out of Nashville everyday, I listened to WSM because the traffic was the best in town. The news is also superior to WLAC - you'd think they would be better considering they are news/talk. I enjoy the music also but I listen to just about every format when I'm in the mood. I even have my autographed Keith Bilbrey picture from the Wilson County Fair! That one stirred up a lot of conversations when it was hanging in my office.
I have XM and I chose it over Sirius for WSIX. I love the fact I can listen to WSIX as I go across the state or across the country. But, when I'm home, I still find myself turning off the XM and listening locally - to FM and AM.
Yeah but the nice thing about listening to XM, you miss all the snow blizzard hype!! Last couple of weeks was not even aware there was a chance. Refreshing to not get hopes up that it may actually happen. As far as traffic goes, TDOT took care of that with their little am station and signs. Last week avoided a major jam when I saw the little (strobbie things) taking a line from Tibbs lit up on the sign. Tuned in and their was all I needed to know. Back to Watercolors!
Nock
Nock
E
Evangelist
Guest
WSM had a good news department for a long time but then they blew out some good people. Likewise, WLAC has had some good newspeople over the years; I'll admit to being biased because I worked there. We had some good news directors in Paul Randall Dickerson, Ted Werbin, Jennifer Perry and Steve Sullivan.
I wish someone around here did all-news in the mornings again. When mobile internet radio is available, I'll have to get that so I can listen to KYW or WSB in the car.
I wish someone around here did all-news in the mornings again. When mobile internet radio is available, I'll have to get that so I can listen to KYW or WSB in the car.
WSM had a great news department when it was part of WSMV TV. WSM has a history but to say they are helping Nashville tourism is a stretch. I don't think Gaylord's hotel occupancy is credited to WSM AM. BTW you can't even pick the station up in a room at the hotel. Gaylord sold their tv networks, dumped the park and make it an outlet mall, took the name off the arena but some think they do more for the city than Beverly Briley or Dick Fulton did.
If it's tourism you want, take I 40 to Dollywood. Opry attendance is as off as the record sales.
But to cut to the chase, simple fact is, most of us have heard great country radio stations. WSM could be so much more and sound so much better. I don't really blame the current staff. Truth be told this is gaylord's only radio station, it's been for sale for a long time but what comes with the sale has run off any buyers, and Gaylord is big enough to not be necessarily preoccupied with whether WSM does well, just ok, and not very good at all. I bet Eddie Gaylord III has never read an Arbitron. Heck I bet Eddie hasn't even been on the General Jackson in a long time or been to the Opry himself.
It's called "absentee owner." Anybody want to buy WSM AM. You can.
If it's tourism you want, take I 40 to Dollywood. Opry attendance is as off as the record sales.
But to cut to the chase, simple fact is, most of us have heard great country radio stations. WSM could be so much more and sound so much better. I don't really blame the current staff. Truth be told this is gaylord's only radio station, it's been for sale for a long time but what comes with the sale has run off any buyers, and Gaylord is big enough to not be necessarily preoccupied with whether WSM does well, just ok, and not very good at all. I bet Eddie Gaylord III has never read an Arbitron. Heck I bet Eddie hasn't even been on the General Jackson in a long time or been to the Opry himself.
It's called "absentee owner." Anybody want to buy WSM AM. You can.
I've always thought the failure of the WSM format change attempt was what led to the sports talkers taking over our FM stations. Granted, they probably would have eventually moved over to FM anyway, but I think NOT getting WSM-AM sped up the process. Of course, we must consider that "losing" 104.5 and 106.7 wasn't much of a loss, given that they each had a different format every year from 1998-2003. And they both seem to have settled into sports formats for the time being.jetfli said:
T
Tenn Radio Boy
Guest
WSM-AM is fourth in the market in terms of ratings.
"America's Music City" listeners obviously don't think too much of them.
They have a Joint Sales Agreement with Cumulus (Clueless) Broadcasting.
So there is no pressure to sell anything. Just program the station.
You would think they could do that reasonably well.
"America's Music City" listeners obviously don't think too much of them.
They have a Joint Sales Agreement with Cumulus (Clueless) Broadcasting.
So there is no pressure to sell anything. Just program the station.
You would think they could do that reasonably well.
WSM is for sale but buyer must purchase Grand OLD Opry and that is indeed OLD and getting older.
I would have thought gaylord would have have tried to sell the land in brentwood off to developer by now
WSM is 4th country station not 4th overall or in demo i think.
I would have thought gaylord would have have tried to sell the land in brentwood off to developer by now
WSM is 4th country station not 4th overall or in demo i think.
E
Evangelist
Guest
Ready for air said:
Channel 4 and WSM haven't been co-owned since the early 80s. 'SM had a good news department in the 80s and 90s until a bunch of the staff was blown out. Metro Networks had proposed providing all their news after that but the deal they made ended up being a limited-service thing.
Gaylord seemed to be a good company until their former CEO, Terry London, became a fixture in town. He seemed more obsessed with getting himself in the society/party pages of the newspaper than with running a company. Not the easiest guy to interview, in my experience.
S
scottwmro
Guest
My message to the corporate "suit, shirt & tie" Geeks:
LEAVE WSM-AM ALONE! IT'S FINE THE WAY IT IS!
It's the ONLY tradition in this market that has NEVER left it's roots and means many things to many folks like me!
In other words don't (blank) with it! Leave WSM-AM alone, PERIOD!
I'll shut up now Romer, Tibbs, Yorkie, olebud, firepoint, etc. I just had to get it out of me! Now, I'm going to get me some a bottle of Saturday Night Arbor Mist and listen to WSM-AM (HA!) They will have a good line up on the Opry tonight!
Scott
LEAVE WSM-AM ALONE! IT'S FINE THE WAY IT IS!
It's the ONLY tradition in this market that has NEVER left it's roots and means many things to many folks like me!
In other words don't (blank) with it! Leave WSM-AM alone, PERIOD!
I'll shut up now Romer, Tibbs, Yorkie, olebud, firepoint, etc. I just had to get it out of me! Now, I'm going to get me some a bottle of Saturday Night Arbor Mist and listen to WSM-AM (HA!) They will have a good line up on the Opry tonight!
Scott
radionekkid said:
It would be nice to see the Hall of Fame purchase the station and the Opry.
But figuring that's an impossibility, in a perfect corporate world, CC with its concert business should buy them, and then sell 1510 to Citadel, which of course has ABC's talk assets. But then, all the big Cs are dealing with their own problems right now.
WSM is a wonderful tradition and an excellent radio station, the shortcoming is the delivery system. AM 650 has a monster daytime signal and an impressive skywave covering much of the country at night. However, the coverage is moot against all of the part 15 monsters that kill AM radio reception. There is nothing you can do to overcome this besides improving the method of the product's delivery.
As many variations of country that has been on 95.5 FM it just seems like a no-brainier to move the AM programming to FM. You start with a simulcast, "The Country Legend AM 650 and FM 95.5 WSM". Then at some point it becomes "The Country Legend 95.5 WSM" and AM 650 eventually moves on to something else. You're not killing any traditions, it's just improving the delivery of a great product. The move to FM can only be positive in competing with other Nashville signals. Plus you supplement the distribution with the net and satellite radio, which they are already doing, so the product is available to a national audience.
Traditions continue only if you ensure the masses are expose to it. WSM and its association with the Grand Ole Opry is an amazing tradition. I just hate to see a great station like WSM slowly fade away because effort is focused on the tradition of the delivery system instead of the product itself.
As many variations of country that has been on 95.5 FM it just seems like a no-brainier to move the AM programming to FM. You start with a simulcast, "The Country Legend AM 650 and FM 95.5 WSM". Then at some point it becomes "The Country Legend 95.5 WSM" and AM 650 eventually moves on to something else. You're not killing any traditions, it's just improving the delivery of a great product. The move to FM can only be positive in competing with other Nashville signals. Plus you supplement the distribution with the net and satellite radio, which they are already doing, so the product is available to a national audience.
Traditions continue only if you ensure the masses are expose to it. WSM and its association with the Grand Ole Opry is an amazing tradition. I just hate to see a great station like WSM slowly fade away because effort is focused on the tradition of the delivery system instead of the product itself.
scottwmro said:
don't stop on my account...I wasn't participating on this thread, anyway... ;D
but...
anyone else remember how good Sajak was in afternoon drive on WSM...guessing 1974-75 (?)
S
scottwmro
Guest
romer979fm said:
Yes, I do. That's when I think Ted Johnson was doing mornings and I forget know what slot Sajak was doing. That's when WSM-AM was AC./Top 40 during the day, and country at night.
And for those of you who never have heard the classic Sajak aircheck that has been floating around for years...
Click the link below and enjoy!
Shell
http://rapidshare.com/files/88877458/Sajak-WSM_6-23-1975.mp3.html
Click the link below and enjoy!
Shell
http://rapidshare.com/files/88877458/Sajak-WSM_6-23-1975.mp3.html
Good aircheck Jack. Sajak's shift ran 3-5 because of the 5pm news hour then and he was listed as a part time AM employee with TV carrying most of his salary but he still gave a great effort.
I hate to rag on WSM AM because not only did I grow up listening to it but also worked there years ago.
With that comes memories of what it was and perhaps an argument for what it could still be but I don't know the current people running it, their restrictions or company limitations so I don't say this to take anyway their effort.
All that interests me or sets standards really is the top 10 markets so let me quickly show you something from the very latest trends 12+ numbers
The top AM station in NYC is ranked #7, WINS
in LA the top Am station is #3, KFI
in Chicago 3 AM stations are in the top 10 WGN is #1 WBBM #3 and WLS #7
in San Fran, market 4, 4 AMs are top 10 KGO #1 KEBS #2 KSFO #7 and KNBR #10
in Philly KYW is the #3 station in town and the top AM
in Boston 3 AMs are in the top 10 WBZ #2 WEEI #3 WRKO #7
in Dallas only 1 am is top 10 and that's WBAP #8
in Houston KTRH is #5 overall and the top AM
in Atlanta market #8 WSB is #2 overall
in Washington WMAL is #8
I could go on but when we get to Nashville, WLAC AM is #12 overall and WSM AM is #13 overall and both stations were up on the latest monthlies.
Nashville has some exceptional TV stations in my opinion with strong viewing levels. It's struck me raw since the early 90s that those same TV viewers in cars for their brief journey to work haven't seemed to embrace news on WLAC or WSM am, and yes I know wsm am doesn't do the amount of news they used to. I recall when they had access to sound and copy from WSM TV giving them a real edge, as someone referred to earlier.
I won't comment as to whether these two stations are excellent, great, average, mediocre or a colossial waste of time. But I would say, based on numbers alone, not on emotion of memories of defense of the present, a lot of markets have a better ride to work with AM radio, and it's not just signal.
When I'm in LA to see my kids and do some work, I love sitting in LA traffic. From KFI you also have KFWB, KNX and KABC for talk/news and a 5th station Michael Jackson is now on. I'm sure if the owners gave the station the opportunities to serve that my generation had, they wouldn't have to be defending themselves so much.
I hear the Opry argument as a negative for selling WSM AM and understand it but don't buy it per se. Nighttime radio doesn't matter, not really. WSM never got local business after 6pm. Time buyers at every agency see radio as a 6am-7pm medium because after 7 the bulk is on TV. WSM AM could play polka music on Sat night and it wouldn't matter. Sure signal, image, are all conversation but even when the Opry was sold out months in advance the radio broadcast had long term contracts that never maximized their value.
You just don't go to Martha While Flour or Goo Goo or whatever and say "we have local rates weekdays that bring us more revenue than this..." The long relationship and loyalty from those clients, many of whom don't buy anyother radio than the Opry Broadcast, would shock you to know the true revenue flow. Gaylord is about selling tickets to the room and a shower in the next morning in the hotel, not running a radio station.
If they were really smitten with radio, they'd own more than one station, I think.
I hate to rag on WSM AM because not only did I grow up listening to it but also worked there years ago.
With that comes memories of what it was and perhaps an argument for what it could still be but I don't know the current people running it, their restrictions or company limitations so I don't say this to take anyway their effort.
All that interests me or sets standards really is the top 10 markets so let me quickly show you something from the very latest trends 12+ numbers
The top AM station in NYC is ranked #7, WINS
in LA the top Am station is #3, KFI
in Chicago 3 AM stations are in the top 10 WGN is #1 WBBM #3 and WLS #7
in San Fran, market 4, 4 AMs are top 10 KGO #1 KEBS #2 KSFO #7 and KNBR #10
in Philly KYW is the #3 station in town and the top AM
in Boston 3 AMs are in the top 10 WBZ #2 WEEI #3 WRKO #7
in Dallas only 1 am is top 10 and that's WBAP #8
in Houston KTRH is #5 overall and the top AM
in Atlanta market #8 WSB is #2 overall
in Washington WMAL is #8
I could go on but when we get to Nashville, WLAC AM is #12 overall and WSM AM is #13 overall and both stations were up on the latest monthlies.
Nashville has some exceptional TV stations in my opinion with strong viewing levels. It's struck me raw since the early 90s that those same TV viewers in cars for their brief journey to work haven't seemed to embrace news on WLAC or WSM am, and yes I know wsm am doesn't do the amount of news they used to. I recall when they had access to sound and copy from WSM TV giving them a real edge, as someone referred to earlier.
I won't comment as to whether these two stations are excellent, great, average, mediocre or a colossial waste of time. But I would say, based on numbers alone, not on emotion of memories of defense of the present, a lot of markets have a better ride to work with AM radio, and it's not just signal.
When I'm in LA to see my kids and do some work, I love sitting in LA traffic. From KFI you also have KFWB, KNX and KABC for talk/news and a 5th station Michael Jackson is now on. I'm sure if the owners gave the station the opportunities to serve that my generation had, they wouldn't have to be defending themselves so much.
I hear the Opry argument as a negative for selling WSM AM and understand it but don't buy it per se. Nighttime radio doesn't matter, not really. WSM never got local business after 6pm. Time buyers at every agency see radio as a 6am-7pm medium because after 7 the bulk is on TV. WSM AM could play polka music on Sat night and it wouldn't matter. Sure signal, image, are all conversation but even when the Opry was sold out months in advance the radio broadcast had long term contracts that never maximized their value.
You just don't go to Martha While Flour or Goo Goo or whatever and say "we have local rates weekdays that bring us more revenue than this..." The long relationship and loyalty from those clients, many of whom don't buy anyother radio than the Opry Broadcast, would shock you to know the true revenue flow. Gaylord is about selling tickets to the room and a shower in the next morning in the hotel, not running a radio station.
If they were really smitten with radio, they'd own more than one station, I think.
jackshell said:
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