NEWS
Charley Crockett is coming to the Mother Church of Country Music on November 14 and we want to put you in the audience! Listen to WSM for your chance to win tickets!
Chances to win:
Get tickets on ryman.com
GRAND OLE OPRY HOUSE TO HOST EXCLUSIVE DOLLY PARTON EXHIBIT “Dolly: My Opry Memories”
Exhibit To Run September 3 – October 31
in Celebration of Dolly Parton’s 50th Opry Anniversary
Parton Will Perform on Two Sold-Out Opry Shows Oct. 12
To Cap Off An Event-Filled DOLLY WEEK
August 20, 2019 – NASHVILLE, TN – In celebration of Dolly Parton’s 50th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member, the Opry House will host “Dolly: My Opry Memories”- an exclusive exhibit featuring 24 wardrobe pieces the internationally-known country music icon has worn on the Opry stage and at events held at the Ryman Auditorium over the last 50 years.
Among Parton’s fashions to be featured:
Also included in the exhibit in the Opry House’s historic Studio A are exclusive videos of Parton recounting some of her favorite Opry memories along with rarely seen performance clips spanning her five decades of Opry membership. The limited-time-only exhibit was curated and designed to celebrate Parton’s milestone anniversary and will tell the storied career of one of the Opry’s greatest global ambassadors.
Tickets for the “Dolly: My Opry Memories” exhibit are $12 when guests add it on to the purchase of an Opry backstage tour. Exhibit-only tickets are $17. Packages and tickets will go on sale August 21 at 10 am at www.opry.com. Please check opry.com for available tour times.
As part of Parton’s 50th Opry anniversary celebration, flagship station WSM will flip its Opry Nashville streaming channel to “Dolly Radio” to coincide with the exhibit. The 24/7 “all things Dolly stream” will feature the music legend’s many hits from her catalog of over 3000 songs, past Opry performances, archived interviews, special features from fellow artists, and much more. Fans will be able to access “Dolly Radio” 24/7 via WSMonline.com and the station’s free mobile app.
In celebration of Parton’s 50th Anniversary as an Opry member, The Opry Shop—also located at the Opry House– will feature a unique collection of eleven custom-designed items for women, men and children celebrating the milestone anniversary. A special Dolly Parton Queen of Country 50th Anniversary graphic was created by Opry Entertainment Product Development Manager Molly Brooks, who was inspired by a Parton photograph captured by longtime Opry photographer Les Leverett.
In June, the Opry premiered a new immersive film experience featuring video hosts Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood and showcasing more than 100 Opry artists, Parton included. The film shown in the Opry House’s new Circle Room opens the Opry’s daytime backstage tour.
On January 4, 1969, Dolly Parton was fresh off the release of her first solo album released on RCA Records Nashville, the now-seminal Just Because I’m A Woman, and on that date the singer-songwriter received the biggest accomplishment of her then-young career: being inducted as a Grand Ole Opry member. Fifty years later, Parton has achieved nearly every honor and accolade an entertainer can receive, and she is cemented as the female Country artist with the most Billboard Top 20 hits according to Guinness World Records.
The global superstar will perform on two sold-out shows on Saturday, October 12, 2019, capping a week-long celebration of Parton’s impact on music and the Opry, dubbed Dolly Week 2019. Additional participating artists for Dolly WeekOpry shows will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are on sale now at www.opry.com, with every ticket purchaser having the option to buy Parton’s Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack.
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WSM RADIO TO OFFER EXCLUSIVE RADIO SPECIAL FOR LABOR DAY
Opry Labor Day Radio Special Features Luke Combs, Kelsea Ballerini, and More!
Available now for download, Nashville’s iconic WSM Radio has produced an Opry Labor Day Radio Special hosted by WSM personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer, Bill Cody. The end of summer themed holiday program features a runtime of two hours and will be available to stations for free to air throughout Labor Day Weekend 2019.
The Opry Labor Day Radio Special features six minutes per hour of national inventory and twelve minutes per hour of affiliate inventory (all inventory is inside the show). To receive direct download information for the free program and promotional assets, contact J. Patrick via email at jpatrick@wsmradio.com.
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CHUCK MEAD RELEASES NEW ALBUM, CLOSE TO HOME, ON JUNE 21,
AND LAUNCHES NEW WSM RADIO PROGRAM, FACE THE MUSIC
Carlene Carter appearance inaugurates new show
on country music’s most famous radio station, June 14
Mead celebrates Close to Home with unconventional tour of Nashville honky-tonks.
NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Iconic Nashville-based station WSM Radio, heard on 650 AM and around the world at wsmradio.com, today announced that recording artist Chuck Mead will launch a new monthly radio program called Face the Music.
Mead and his studio guests — country legends, Americana stalwarts, cosmic cowboys, music business impresarios and hillbilly hellraisers — will spin records and swap intimate behind-the-scenes stories that only seem to come out when it’s artist to artist.
Face the Music will debut on both WSM AND wsmradio.com on Friday, June 14, with special guest Carlene Carter. The show is sponsored by legendary Nashville honky-tonk Robert’s Western World and will air the second Friday of every month from 6-7 PM|CT.
The WSM debut comes a week prior to the release of Close to Home, due for release on June 21, 2019. The 11-track collection, on Nashville independent label Plowboy Records, is the follow-up to Mead’s first Plowboy release, 2015’s Free State Serenade. Recorded at the historic Sam Phillips Recording Studios in Memphis, Tenn., the album was produced by acclaimed Memphis recording engineer and producer Matt Ross-Spang.
The album will be celebrated with not with a single “album release show” but rather a multi-date “Honky-Tonk Tour of Nashville.” The week will kick off on Honky-Tonk Tuesday at the American Legion Hall on June 18, The 5 Spot on June 19, Dee’s Country Cocktail Lounge June 20, The Nashville Palace June 21, and Robert’s Western World June 22. (Mead has a long history with Robert’s: the first BR-549 release was a live EP recorded there, which not only helped to launch the band’s career, it also brought droves of artists, fans and industry types down to the gritty side of town. Nashville’s lower Broadway has exploded in the last decade.) Also on June 22, prior to the Robert’s show, Mead will make a guest appearance on the Grand Ole Opry — his 139th!
According to Mead, “It’s extremely exciting to me to delve into radio and I’m honored to be a part of the long WSM history. With Face the Music, I get talk to people artist-to-artist about the records that influenced them and shaped their own work. Of course we have a little fun along the way. The fact that the show premieres the week I have a record coming out and I’m playing all my favorite honky-tonks in Nashville makes it all that much sweeter.”
“We’re constantly looking for new ways to stay engaged in an ever-changing listening environment, and we believe adding Chuck Mead’s Face the Music to our programming line-up on both 650 AM and WSMonline.com feels like a natural fit. Chuck and his guests will provide audiences both near and far with engaging conversation, industry insight, and those much sought-after artist stories from the road. We can’t wait to hear Chuck’s voice and style on WSM,” said J. Patrick Tinnell, WSM Program Director.
*Face the Music with Chuck Mead airs the second Friday of every month from 6-7 PM|CT!
GRAND OLE OPRY, WSMONLINE.COM TO SALUTE RANDY TRAVIS IN HONOR OF THE LEGENDARY ENTERTAINER’S 60th BIRTHDAY
New Memoir ‘Forever and Ever, Amen’ to be Released on May 14
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 25, 2019) — Legendary country superstar Randy Travis will make a special appearance on the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday, May 4 to celebrate his 60th birthday. The Opry’s flagship radio station 650 AM WSM and its digital counterpart have named Travis their Artist of the Month and will mark the Opry and Country Music Hall of Fame member’s 60th with a week of special promotions and programming, including Travis’ Opry birthday appearance, beginning Monday, April 29. Forever and Ever, Amen: A Memoir of Music, Faith and Braving the Storms of Life will be released on May 14 and is available for preorder now at foreverandeveramenbook.com.
Randy Travis fans Charles Esten, Josh Turner and Charlie Worsham are all scheduled to appear on the Opry on Travis’ birthday, as is his fellow Country Music Hall of Famer Don Schlitz, who wrote or co-wrote a number of Travis’ biggest hits, including “Deeper Than The Holler,” “Forever And Ever, Amen,” “Heroes And Friends,” “On the Other Hand” and “Point Of Light.”
Travis signed a Nashville record deal in 1985, became a country music sensation with the release of his landmark album Storms Of Life, and joined the Opry in 1986. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
Opry ticket information for the special May 4 show found HERE!
On-air listening accessible HERE!
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“WE ALL COME TOGETHER”
FOR JOHN BERRY AND MUSIC HEALTH ALLIANCE
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 26, 2019) — The Country Music community is rallying in support of fellow Grammy winning artist, John Berry, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatments for throat cancer discovered in January. A concert, silent auction, sponsor opportunities and more will be included as ways to donate.
The concert will be held on April 23rd at City Winery at 7 pm. Tickets on sale now and are available here.
The benefit, “We All Come Together” for John Berry and Music Health Alliance, will raise money to offset the medical expenses not covered by insurance for Berry and a portion of the donations will go towards Music Health Alliance to fund financial assistance to others in the music community.
Flagship artists announced this morning by media partner WSM Radio and live-streamed on The Heartland Network on the Cody, Coffee and Country show include Trace Adkins, Tracy Lawrence and Exile with many more to be announced soon. Over 20 Artists have been confirmed along with special guests and surprises!
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650 AM WSM ANNOUNCES
INAUGURAL MUSIC CITY MENTORS EVENT
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — 650 AM WSM will host Music City Mentors on Saturday, March 23. Pairing entertainment professionals with individuals who dream of a career in the music industry, Music City Mentors will take place at the Factory in Franklin. This inaugural event will provide music education and professional development opportunities to aspiring music professionals ages 15 and over. The day will feature 45-minute sessions focusing on songwriting, artist management, tour life, publicity and everything in between. SVP Artists Relations and Grand Ole Opry GM, Sally Williams, will give the keynote address. Attendees will conclude the day of unique professional development with “speed networking” opportunities from best-in-the-business professionals.
“It’s extremely important for us to invest in the next generation of industry professionals,” shared Chris Kulick, General Manager of 650 AM WSM. “We hope this is just the beginning of this chapter and finding new ways to mentor and engage young professionals.”
Tickets for the event are on sale HERE for $20.00 through February 15. After February 15, ticket prices will rise to $40.00. Lunch tickets will be available for purchase when registering.
“WSM has been a staple of the music community here in Franklin and there’s no better organization to connect music professionals with those aspiring to get into business,” said Ellie Westman Chin, President & CEO of Visit Franklin.
650 AM WSM’s Music City Mentors is sponsored by Durango Boots, Zaxby’s, Beacon Capital Management, Les Paul Foundation, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism, Lyft, Silent Events, Songwriting University, and Green Iris Records/Still Working Music. Throughout the day participants will also have the opportunity to take part in a job fair featuring local venues, companies, and entertainment employers.
Attendees should plan to dress in business casual attire. Parking is provided at the Factory at Franklin.
About 650 AM WSM:
650 AM WSM’s first official broadcast day was October 5, 1925. The station is the radio home of the Grand Ole Opry, which has been broadcast live over the WSM airwaves since its inception, as well as the 24/7 Americana streaming channel, ROUTE 650. 650 AM WSM is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP). A weekly listing of all 650 AM WSM programming and online directory for all streaming channels can be found at wsmradio.com.
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Media Contact:
Nicole Judd | WSM Radio | 615-458-9429 | nicole@wsmradio.com
650 AM WSM TO HOST MUSIC FOR KIDS NOVEMBER 3
Event Will Provide 1000 Free Music Lessons to Children Ages 5-16
NASHVILLE, TN (October 2, 2018) – 650 AM WSM will host its first Music for Kids event on Saturday, November 3, at Studio A in the Grand Ole Opry House from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Presented by Springer Mountain Farms, Music for Kids is a day-long family event packed with activities designed to make music accessible and fun for youth from all over Nashville. The event centers around providing children ages 5-16 with free, age-appropriate music lessons from local professionals and opportunities to engage, learn, and get inspired in fun new ways.
Music for Kids puts real instruments into kids’ hands, encouraging them to explore and experiment with creativity and sound. Children will choose the instrument they would most like to explore– voice, violin, guitar, bass, piano, drums, mandolin, banjo and more – when they sign up online. Registration for these free lessons are open now and must be reserved in advance via http://wsmradio.com. Lesson slots are expected to fill up fast, so early registrations are advised. A guardian is required to attend with the child receiving lessons.
Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor will be on hand to read from his new children’s book “Lorraine”, Illustrated by renowned artist and Tennessee resident, Higgins Bond. With this story, Secor has created a sweeping, epic Americana story about the power of music and family, story and song. Secor is a parent and Grand Ole Opry member who cares deeply about education and actively supports many related causes in and around Music City, notably helping to launch the Episcopal School of Nashville in 2016.
650 AM WSM expects 500-600 children and teens to attend the free event sponsored by Zaxby’s, Nashville Parent, Guitar Center, Durango Boots, and songgame.com. Over the course of the day, the historic radio station is expected to donate 1000 lessons to young budding musicians with an overall value of $25,000.
“Our goal with Music for Kids is to spark the musical creativity in the children of Nashville,” said Chris Kulick, 650 AM WSM general manager. “We can’t wait to get instruments in these kids’ hands and watch them get inspired. Music is such a vital part of our whole community, our local economy, and our culture as a city. Inspiring people to make and appreciate music is part of our mission and our rich history as a station.”
About 650 AM WSM:
650 AM WSM’s first official broadcast day was October 5, 1925. The station is the radio home of the Grand Ole Opry, which has been broadcast live over the WSM airwaves since its inception, as well as the 24/7 Americana streaming channel, ROUTE 650. 650 AM WSM is owned by Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP). A weekly listing of all 650 AM WSM programming and online directory for all streaming channels can be found at wsmradio.com.
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Media Contact:
Nicole Judd | WSM Radio | 615-458-9429 | nicole@wsmradio.com
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