WSM

[Journeyman]

.
Tell that to all the out-of-towners who flooded our local message boards six years ago when rumors of a pending format change were running rampant!

Out-of-towners provide very little ad revenue for a radio station

 

[grandoleopry]

FOR AN AM STATION IN 2008 WSM IN MY OPINION HAS A RESPECTABLE
SHOWING IN THE NASHVILLE MARKET.
I DO NOT SEE THE NEWS OR SPORTS TALK STATIONS SETTING THE
WORLD ON FIRE.
RATINGS HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH WHAT ONE IS ABLE TO SELL IN
THE LOCAL MARKET...SURE IT MAY BE TOUGH TO GET AGENCY AND
NATIONAL BUSINESS...BUT LOCAL DIRECT BUSINESS IS BUILT ON RELATIONSHIPS
PURE & SIMPLE IF YOU HAVE A GOOD SALES STAFF WITH RELATIONSHIPS
IN YOUR MARKET YOU CAN SELL AND BE PROSPEROUS...MY 5KW AM IN PENNSYLVANIA
THAT PROGRAMS "TRADITIONAL COUNTRY" NOT A RATINGS LEADER BUT WE
ARE BILLING & MORE IMPORTANTLY CASHFLOWING MORE MONEY
THAN THE STATION DID IN THE YEARS WHEN AM WAS A FORCE.
WHY? BECAUSE MY SALES STAFF & I HAVE DEVELOPED SOLID
CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS AND FOLKS...I REINTERATE AGAIN THE 50PLUS
AUDIENCE HAS SIGNIFCANT $$$ TO SPEND. & WHETHER OR NOT YOU
WANT TO BELIEVE IT THE TOURS I BRING TO NASHVILLE WHICH
ARE TRADITIONALLY 60+ DO SPEND MONEY IN YOUR TOWN.
MANY HERE DO LISTEN TO WSM AT NIGHT AND NOW ON XM.
SUCCESSFUL RADIO STATIONS ARE CONSISTENT....CHANGING FORMATS
DOES NOTHING FOR ADVERTISER CONFIDENCE...DO WHAT YOU DO AND
DO IT WELL...AND I THINK FROM A BROADCASTERS POINT OF VIEW
WSM AND ITS STAFF DOES A VERY GOOD JOB.

 

[romer979fm]

RATINGS HAVE LITTLE TO DO WITH WHAT ONE IS ABLE TO SELL IN
THE LOCAL MARKET...

???

 

[imnottelling]

WSM is a very unique entity. I believe out-of-town folks value and appreciate the nostalgia of WSM much more than locals. I worked there during the rumor mill of WSM changing to sports, and the majority of calls we got against that move were from non-locals. The majority of locals that did call were over 50+ for sure. From a sales standpoint, that's difficult. National Brands like Cracker Barrell and Tennessee Pride advertise on the Opry because it pays off for them. But for many local business, it doesn't pay off because the majority of listeners are online, XM or out-of town. So from a sales standpoint, WSM is difficult to sell. But that doesn't mean it should die off.

From a format standpoint, it's also difficult. While Nashville is the home of country music, it's hard to believe they need so many country stations. And, if WSM is 4th, any normal radio owner would change formats. However, Gaylord has never invested in WSM the way that it should. That's not their focus, and they seem perfectly happy to break even at the end of each fiscal year as far as WSM is concerned. I believe the only reason they hold onto it is because they know that their dirty name would become even dirtier in the eye of most Nashvillians (even if they don't listen to WSM). And, they can't sell the AM without selling the Opry, and vice versa. The two MUST coincide together, otherwise the symbiotic relationship would cause both ventures to die off. The Opry cannot survive without WSM, and WSM cannot survive without the Opry.

As far as staff go, Gaylord ruined WSM by firing off so many good employees (and I don't even consider myself worthy of being lumped in with that group). Hairl Hensley, Cindy Wood, Ron Jordan, Jennifer Herron, Buddy Sadler, Jennifer Perry et.all, were a great crew of people who really cared about and invested in the station. Gaylord has trimmed WSM down to a bare bones budget and staff. They are doing well with what they have, but if Gaylord really wanted to invest in the station, they would build it back up a bit, and get rid of some of the folks that are currently there, who have no vested interest in the WSM brand and merely want their paycheck. (Keith and Eddy obviously not included).

I consider myself to be lucky that I had the priveledge of working there when I did, for as long as I did. But I definitely wouldn't want to go back. It's hard to work for a company that doesn't care. I certainly hope someone comes along and buys up both the Opry and WSM. I believe there's a market for it, and it belongs with someone who will treasure WSM as the national historic treasure that it is. Ratings or not, WSM deserves to stick around. But it deserves more than Gaylord is willing to give.

 

[firepoint525]

.Tell that to all the out-of-towners who flooded our local message boards six years ago when rumors of a pending format change were running rampant!

Out-of-towners provide very little ad revenue for a radio station

Wasn't that my point all along? :

 

[Journeyman]

.Tell that to all the out-of-towners who flooded our local message boards six years ago when rumors of a pending format change were running rampant!

Out-of-towners provide very little ad revenue for a radio station
[/quote]Wasn't that my point all along? :
[/quote]

Listenership, sure. Proably in faxt more out of towners thatn in- towners. But they don't buy spots and they can't keep a station on the air

 

[firepoint525]

.Tell that to all the out-of-towners who flooded our local message boards six years ago when rumors of a pending format change were running rampant!

Out-of-towners provide very little ad revenue for a radio station

Wasn't that my point all along? :

Listenership, sure. Proably in faxt more out of towners thatn in- towners. But they don't buy spots and they can't keep a station on the air

Again, I've said the same thing here three times now, and somehow manage to get misquoted, misunderstood, or taken out of context every time I've said it. So I'll come right out and say it here one final time: out of town listeners cannot deliver $$$$ to a radio station!

: Sheesh!! :

I fixed the quote tags, so maybe we'll get it right this time. One of my previous comments has now been attributed to Tenn Radio Boy. No big deal, but it is adding to the confusion. ???

 

[smashedcd]

Who under the age of 65 listens to WSM or AM for that matter.
Probably, it's just a promotion tool to get geriatrics to come to the opry; sort of like the circus barker in front of the ten.

I do I am 39.

 

[imnottelling]

Sure there are listeners under the age of 65....but they're a minority, and therefore not an accurate representation of the majority of WSM listeners. I worked there. When we got complaints about music being too "new country", it wasn't the young ones calling to complain. When Hairl left, complaints poured in from all over the place.....but few were from locals. When winners would come to pick up prizes, it was the same 10 listeners over and over again, over the age of 50, and from Kentucky usually. So, tell me how you would program and sell a radio station with such an unusual demographic? Younger listeners are great, but WSM will never have enough to change its status in the rankings. And, even with more young listeners, the problem of non-locals is really the central issue.

 

[scottwmro]

Sure there are listeners under the age of 65....but they're a minority, and therefore not an accurate representation of the majority of WSM listeners. I worked there. When we got complaints about music being too "new country", it wasn't the young ones calling to complain. When Hairl left, complaints poured in from all over the place.....but few were from locals. When winners would come to pick up prizes, it was the same 10 listeners over and over again, over the age of 50, and from Kentucky usually. So, tell me how you would program and sell a radio station with such an unusual demographic? Younger listeners are great, but WSM will never have enough to change its status in the rankings. And, even with more young listeners, the problem of non-locals is really the central issue.

In time, WSM will have to update it's programming with the ever changing world of country music. That's what will keep WSM afloat. Right now, as a Classic Country Station, it's just a novelty, but a damn good one, and we should be proud of it. The Opry needs a face lift, in my opinion, in a bad way! It can be done, and be sucessful. As the older stars die off, making way for the newer ones, the Opry will have to become more "trendy" and gear to the younger generation and so will WSM, to get the ad business it needs to stay afloat and maybe draw a profit.

Yes, I realize that WSM has to compete with these FMs in the market, but just maybe, XM will hold on to it, and take it to the next level. If I was a betting man, WSM will be around and so will the Opry long after we here on this board are dead and gone. By that time, WSM might have it's on satellite channel, and the AM will go away. IMHO, AM is almost dead anyway, and WSM will have a piece of satellite spectrum that will hold in history for generations to come, just like its 650 frequency WSM has had since 1932.

 

[olebud]

The Opry needs a face lift, in my opinion, in a bad way! It can be done, and be sucessful. As the older stars die off, making way for the newer ones, the Opry will have to become more "trendy" and gear to the younger generation and so will WSM, to get the ad business it needs to stay afloat and maybe draw a profit.

The Opry has been having a 'face lift' for decades. When I was young, Saturday nights was a young Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Jamup and Honey, Lonzo and Oscar and on and on. There was a period of time from the late 60s through the early 80's when the Opry wasn't very important to the country stars. The demands on how often they had to perform to be a member was costing them too much in lost concert revenues and a number of Opry stars choose not to be a part.

I think....and I emphasize 'think' that's how they were able to later start adding some new names when they relaxed the standards. Some of the bigger stars didn't mind and appreciated being a part of the WSM Grand Ole Opry. I've interviewed stars from Garth to Vince many others who love the Opry because it is THE OPRY. And it's something I'm not sure you can really understand until you've been around it and walked around back stage. They realize they have to update and keep people coming back. Check the Saturday night line ups....and especially the Live T-V part.

Having said all that, I still think if Gaylord could find someone to buy the station, the Opry House and maybe the Ryman, they'd take it in a minute. A fellow with money and a love of the Orpy once told me he and a group of investors made the offer, but Gaylord asked them to wait until the sale of the two FMs was completed. This fellow passed away and I've not heard anymore about it.
These are my own feelings and Keith or Eddie can probably pick it apart, but those were things I saw happen while I was there.Tha's my story and I'm sticking to it.
The updating was accelerated later

 

[Evangelist]

As far as staff go, Gaylord ruined WSM by firing off so many good employees (and I don't even consider myself worthy of being lumped in with that group). Hairl Hensley, Cindy Wood, Ron Jordan, Jennifer Herron, Buddy Sadler, Jennifer Perry et.all, were a great crew of people who really cared about and invested in the station. Gaylord has trimmed WSM down to a bare bones budget and staff. They are doing well with what they have, but if Gaylord really wanted to invest in the station, they would build it back up a bit, and get rid of some of the folks that are currently there, who have no vested interest in the WSM brand and merely want their paycheck. (Keith and Eddy obviously not included).

Several good people have been fired but Jennifer Perry was not among them. She left to join WLAC and did an awesome job as co-anchor of the last incarnation of its morning news block. She's now at WGST in Atlanta and still doing great work.

WSM has had many talented people on its airwaves over the years, including the people mentioned in the above post and also Paul Randall Dickerson, Ted Johnson, et al. I'm biased about several of these because I've had the privilege of working with them elsewhere.

 

[scottwmro]

As far as staff go, Gaylord ruined WSM by firing off so many good employees (and I don't even consider myself worthy of being lumped in with that group). Hairl Hensley, Cindy Wood, Ron Jordan, Jennifer Herron, Buddy Sadler, Jennifer Perry et.all, were a great crew of people who really cared about and invested in the station. Gaylord has trimmed WSM down to a bare bones budget and staff. They are doing well with what they have, but if Gaylord really wanted to invest in the station, they would build it back up a bit, and get rid of some of the folks that are currently there, who have no vested interest in the WSM brand and merely want their paycheck. (Keith and Eddy obviously not included).

Several good people have been fired but Jennifer Perry was not among them. She left to join WLAC and did an awesome job as co-anchor of the last incarnation of its morning news block. She's now at WGST in Atlanta and still doing great work.

WSM has had many talented people on its airwaves over the years, including the people mentioned in the above post and also Paul Randall Dickerson, Ted Johnson, et al. I'm biased about several of these because I've had the privilege of working with them elsewhere.

It seems Gaylord doesn't really want to be in the radio business anymore, but they are afraid of giving up WSM, due to if that was to happen, their business named would be trashed all over this country, and the end of thier group would come. The Opry would be saved (no doubt) due to the country stars won't let that die.

Things are not like they were in 1932, but some traditions must remain intact due to they are a part of vital histroy to America. At one time, I heard rumors of WSM going sports or all radio disney. Now that would be the end of real era, but my gut feeling says this won't happen in our lifetime. Watt has the hand on the switch, he can cut them off from the studio at anytime the trash comes on! (HA!)

Scott

 

[ShadowB]

I was with Gaylord when they shut down Opryland ( now over 10 years ago) and I recall people saying that they would never close it...but they did. I also remember people saying that they would never sell CMT and TNN..But well you know what happened with them. It will only be a matter of time till the Opry and WSM-AM will be sold. The company does not care what local people think of them. Just my 2 cents.

 

[jetfli]

Best case scenario for WSM AM in today's world: That the country music industry, the stars made famous by the station, and assorted Nashville philanthropists put the money together to buy 650, the Opry, and the Ryman from Gaylord and turn them over to the Hall of Fame board to operate. This would preserve the heritage of these entities for country music, Nashville, and the public at large.

 

[ShadowB]

I know that has been brought up in the past but don't know where it is....One would think it would be a good idea.

 

[136kgb]

Didn't the Hall of Fame own RCA Studio B for a while? They let the roof leak and rot out the building then left it abandoned for several years. Boy just think what they would do with The tower site and the Ryman itself. They don't seem to understand business in general or how to preserve history.

 

[Evangelist]

The Hall of Fame Board is not a good choice to operate a radio station. If Gaylord is going to sell the station, find some people who actually know something about broadcasting and sell to them.

I was at the news conference where the end of Opryland and coming of Shopryland was announced. Terry London, then the President of Gaylord, said a new park would be built on the Opryland grounds. It never happened and I think he knew it wouldn't when he said it.

 

[136kgb]

The Aircastle of the South has not been the same since they let go of Kyle Cantrell and Johnny K. Those guys actually know country. The ratings 12+ back then for 650 were in the 4's. Nice job Gaylord run off people that help your station. They should have hired more sales people that could sell 650 WSM instead of bonusing spots on 650 when you bought 95.5

 

[Evangelist]

The Aircastle of the South has not been the same since they let go of Kyle Cantrell and Johnny K. Those guys actually know country.

Good guys who do good work, but it would be hard to find anyone more knowledgeable of country music than Keith Bilbrey and Eddie Stubbs. If I were playing Trivial Pursuit (the country music edition), I would want them on my team.