Format Change Worries Many Listeners

All Sports, No Country For WSM Radio?
Format Change Worries Many Listeners

By: Sharon Puckett

Loyal listeners of WSM Radio have taken a campaign to save the station all the way to Congress. Senators, congressmen, even the Governor is being asked to stop what insiders say will be a change in format from country music to sports. An official announcement has not been made, but listeners and artists don't like what they're hearing.

A billboard promoting WSM Radio says, Too Country and Proud of It. But will it last? Reports the past couple of weeks indicate the new year may bring a dramatic change in what listeners will hear.

WSM Radio went on the air October 5, 1925. It wasn't long before WSM, country music and Nashville became synonymous. The station known as the Air Castle of the South soon became important to Nashville in more than one way. Little more than a year ago when there was a 75th birthday party for the WSM, radio executives were eager to sing the praises of its accomplishments and its future. Station employees are not talking publicly now about what may or may not happen. But, veteran country music star Porter Waggoner believes any change would be a big mistake.

"It would make it seem like country music is a loser and it's not. Country music is the greatest it's ever been," said Waggoner. "Country music is alive and well and so is the tradition of it. The Grand Ole Opry, WSM Radio, that's where tradition is. That's where it lives. That's where I live because I am tradition."

Air personalities are still playing country music with no hint of a possible change. In the meantime, Waggoner cautions management to remember what happened when The Nashville Network went after another audience. "That's when it went down the tubes," he said.

While country music still fills the airwaves, there is speculation in Music Industry trades that sports may take its place. With no official announcement from Gaylord, executives are getting e-mail and phone calls from listeners begging them to reconsider.

I spoke to Gaylord's chief executive officer Colin Reed the day after employees were told about the company exploring changes. He told me Gaylord wants to expand the Opry's audience, but he said there was no definitive game plan for the radio stations.

Originally Published By Radio & Records In January 2002