Long-Time Radio Home For Grand Ole Opry To Remain

Long-Time Radio Home For Grand Ole Opry To Remain

By: Pat Harris
Reuters

Nashville's venerable Grand Ole Opry, where many country music stars got their start, will not be evicted from its longtime broadcast home, the radio station owner said on Monday.

Nor will station WSM-AM change its country music format in favor of sports talk despite posting a $150 million loss last year, said Colin Reed, Gaylord Entertainment Co. president and chief executive officer.

Reed ended weeks of speculation with the announcement at Nashville's Ryman Auditorium, the Opry's former venue, that WSM-AM will continue a 70-year tradition of broadcasting the show -- the longest running on radio.

"The Grand Ole Opry is an international institution, and WSM has been its home since it began. Our commitment today is to ensure both of these icons of country music realize their greatest potential," Reed said.

There had been rumors that the format change could shift the Opry to an FM station, or even push it off the air altogether. Performances take place at least once a week.

But Reed said Gaylord intended to expand the Opry's scope by pursuing syndication of the show.

'A GEM THAT NEEDS POLISHING'

"WSM-AM is not a conventional radio station," he said. "While we looked at alternatives that might have made sense for another AM station in another market, we concluded that WSM-AM is a gem that just needs some polishing. We want to keep the country format and build on its incredible heritage and the loyalty of its listeners."

During the past few months, hundreds of country music fans picketed outside Gaylord's offices, with some carrying signs reading, "Too country and proud of it!", and deluged the company with mailed protests. Country star George Jones showed up one day to offer support to the demonstrators.

Back in 1925 when Calvin Coolidge was president, WSM-AM 650 was one of about 40 stations granted full power, clear-channel status, meaning its signal can reach 38 states at night. Most of the other clear-channel stations have since converted to news or talk formats.

The Grand Ole Opry show was originated by George D. Hay, a former Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper reporter, who dubbed himself "The Solemn Old Judge" even though he was just 30 when he switched to radio. Every week Hay would blow his wooden steamboat whistle and open the Opry by shouting, "Let her go, boys!"

From that era of "The Gully Jumpers" and "The Fruit Jar Drinkers" and Uncle Jimmy Thompson who could "fiddle the taters off the vine" came such stars as Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Hank Snow and Bill Monroe.

The Opry was expanded and moved into the historic Ryman Auditorium for a lengthy run and then moved into its present location at the city's Opryland area where a crop of mostly younger new country music stars perform.

Originally Published By Reuters On January 14, 2002