NEWS
Now there’s another way to hear WSM anytime, anywhere… with the iHeartRadio App! We’re proud to be able to include WSM on this industry-leading platform. WSM is streaming live 24/7 on iHeartRadio – including all LIVE Opry performances, as well as all of our specialty programming. And as always, you can still listen on 650 AM, WSMRadio.com, the WSM App, and on your home’s smart speaker.
We’re bringing you Luke Bryan’s Born Here Live Here Die Here Album Release Special on WSM Radio! Tune in this Tuesday, August 11 at 6pm/c or Saturday, August 15 at 3pm/c to hear the new music track-by-track with Luke Bryan. Listen on 650 AM, WSMonline.com, or the WSM app.
Jeff Hoag, who has been a regular fill-in and friend of legendary radio personality Eddie Stubbs, will officially take over the night show at WSM Radio following Stubbs’ retirement. Hoag will host WSM At Night with Jeff Hoag from 7 p.m. until midnight, beginning tonight (Monday, Aug. 3).
Hoag said, “My dream in life was to work for WSM Radio and keep the tradition of classic country music alive. The fact that I get to live my dream and carry out this mission is gratifying beyond words. Thank you for the opportunity to do what I love and to spread the glorious gospel of country music across the world.”
WSM Director of Content and Programming J. Patrick Tinnell said, “WSM at Night is exactly where Jeff belongs. I along with the rest of his radio family, can’t wait to see how he develops his own live nightly show, while keeping a long-standing tradition of classic country at night on WSM. I know our audience will be as proud of Jeff as I am.”
Hoag was born in upstate New York and made his way to Nashville in 2003. His mission has always been to share his love of traditional country music with those who already appreciate it, but especially those who may have never given it a chance. An avid collector and historian of music, Hoag is also a songwriter, musician, scriptwriter, food enthusiast and baseball fan.
Nothing gets a morning started better than “Coffee, Country and Cody.” The show’s namesake is Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer and affable television personality Bill Cody. Bill’s producer/sidekick/sports guy/fellow brilliant conversationalist is Charlie Mattos. Bill and Charlie are joined by Jo Smith who brings all things entertainment to the table. Together, Bill, Charlie, and Jo start every weekday off with great music—country, bluegrass, Americana, Opry cuts, and live studio guests—, the latest news, entertaining features, and lively talk about everything from A (award shows) to Z (zoology). A cup of joe has never been this much fun! Now you can watch all the fun on Circle Television! Visit CirclePlus.com to check your local listings.
Check back later for an updated guest list!
Bill Cody’s nationally & internationally known voice has been heard over the air waves for 45 years. A 2008 inductee into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame. Bill is in his 22nd year as morning show host of WSM’s “Coffee, Country & Cody” & is a Grand Ole Opry announcer/host.
He has multiple nominations for CMA, ACM & Billboard awards. Bill’s radio syndication, television, voice over & movie credits include: “American Saturday Night: Live from the Grand Ole Opry”, GAC TV’s “Master Series” & the network’s specials, “Tennessee’s Wildside” on PBS, Ray Stevens’ Nashville (RFD), The Nashville Network (TNN), Bill Cody’s Classic Country Weekend, Nashville Record Review, Country’s Most Wanted, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Music City Walk of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, Willie’s Roadhouse on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, United Airlines In-Flight country programming also heard aboard Air Force 1 & 2.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Rebecca, for 35 years. They have 3 children and live near Cross Plains, TN.
Born just outside Providence, RI in October of 1963, Charlie is not only the “Resident Yankee” on the WSM staff; shockingly he’s the only “Portuguese” staff member as well! A proud member of “Coffee, Country & Cody” since 2004, Charlie and his wife Renee’ live near Nolensville and are the proud parents of 2 year old Jackson and a 14 year old Pug named “Allie.”
Charlie’s a 30 year radio veteran with stints at WNWS radio in Miami and WLAC radio in Nashville and is a 1985 alum of the University of Miami. He’s also the longtime voice of Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball.
Charlie loves the Boston Red Sox, English Premier League Soccer, the music of Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Bill Clinton, the writing of John Steinbeck & Apple Computers.
Megan Alexander is an Emmy nominated national news correspondent. She wears a variety of hats, including host, reporter, author, actress and speaker. Megan works as a correspondent on the longest-running syndicated national news magazine television show Inside Edition, covering all the major awards shows, 9 Super Bowls, interviewing Presidents and breaking national news stories. For the 2015/2016 seasons, Megan was a Special Correspondent for CBS Television covering “Thursday Night Football”. As an actress, she has appeared in the ABC primetime drama “Nashville”, CMT’s “Still the King”, the BET network’s “Back to the Goode Life” and the feature films “God’s Not Dead 3”, “Redeemed” “Heartbeats” and “Space Warriors”. One of her first acting gigs was appearing in Josh Turner’s music video for “What it Ain’t”.
National News Correspondent Signs on to Famed Morning Show as Entertainment Reporter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – 650 AM WSM announced today Megan Alexander is coming on board as the newest cast member on its radio and television show “Coffee, Country & Cody” alongside Bill Cody and Charlie Mattos. Alexander is set to join the team as the show’s Entertainment Reporter beginning this morning from 7 to 10 a.m.
An Emmy-nominated national news correspondent, Alexander brings with her years of experience on the longest-running syndicated national news magazine television show Inside Edition, covering major award shows, 9 Super Bowls, interviewing presidents and breaking national news stories. She has taken on a variety of roles throughout her career including host, reporter, author, actress and speaker.
Alexander said, “I am beyond thrilled to join the legendary WSM’s ‘Coffee, Country & Cody’ and I look forward to waking up viewers everyday with the show and chat about all things country music! Don’t be surprised if you see my favorite Starbucks drink – an iced coconut milk latte – frequently by my side.”
WSM Director of Content and Programming J. Patrick Tinnell said, “What a win for WSM to add Megan Alexander to ‘Coffee, Country & Cody!’ Megan will be such a treat for our radio and Circle TV audience. Everyone will want to start their day with Bill, Charlie and Megan.”
As a popular keynote speaker on the topics of faith and work, Alexander hosts the Inspirational Country Music Awards each year. Fans may also recognize her from her previous role in the ABC primetime drama “NASHVILLE.” Alexander serves as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Hugh O’Brian Youth Foundation. She shares her favorite interviews of all time are Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton.
Alexander can be reached at meganalexander@wsmonline.com.
About WSM:
650 AM WSM is the most famed country music station in the world. Each day, the station shares country, bluegrass and Americana as well as the excitement of Music City with friends in Middle Tennessee and listeners around the world. WSM debuted on Oct. 5, 1925, and less than two months later, the station would birth its most famous show (and the show that would make country music famous), the Grand Ole Opry. WSM has gone on to become a broadcasting giant and a friend to hundreds of thousands of fans. The station has won hundreds of broadcasting awards and was named Country Radio Station of the Century by “Radio & Records” in 2000. WSM’s personalities are nationally recognized figures in country music, and its listeners range from U.S. Presidents to Country Music Hall of Famers, to artists climbing the charts toward their first number one hit. You never know when a famous listener might drop in for a visit or to take the studio’s reigns for a while. For more information, visit wsmonline.com.
About Ryman Hospitality Properties:
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) is a leading lodging and hospitality real estate investment trust that specializes in upscale convention center resorts and country music entertainment experiences. The Company’s core holdings* include a network of five of the top 10 largest non-gaming convention center hotels in the United States based on total indoor meeting space. These convention center resorts operate under the Gaylord Hotels brand and are managed by Marriott International. The Company also owns two adjacent ancillary hotels and a small number of attractions managed by Marriott International for a combined total of 10,110 rooms and more than 2.7 million square feet of total indoor and outdoor meeting space in top convention and leisure destinations across the country. The Company’s Entertainment segment includes a growing collection of iconic and emerging country music brands, including the Grand Ole Opry; Ryman Auditorium; WSM 650 AM; Ole Red and Circle, a country lifestyle media network the Company owns in a joint venture with Gray Television. The Company operates its Entertainment segment as part of a taxable REIT subsidiary.
*The Company is the sole owner of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center; and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. It is the majority owner and managing member of the joint venture that owns Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.
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Media Contacts:
Shannon Sullivan | Alyson Stokes
Ryman Hospitality Properties
Ssullivan@rymanhp.com | Astokes@rymanhp.com
615-316-6727
Nothing gets a morning started better than “Coffee, Country and Cody.” The show’s namesake is Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer and affable television personality Bill Cody. Bill’s producer/sidekick/sports guy/fellow brilliant conversationalist is Charlie Mattos. Bill and Charlie are joined by Jo Smith who brings all things entertainment to the table. Together, Bill, Charlie, and Jo start every weekday off with great music—country, bluegrass, Americana, Opry cuts, and live studio guests—, the latest news, entertaining features, and lively talk about everything from A (award shows) to Z (zoology). A cup of joe has never been this much fun! Now you can watch all the fun on Circle Television! Visit CirclePlus.com to check your local listings.
Check back later for an updated guest list!
Bill Cody’s nationally & internationally known voice has been heard over the air waves for 45 years. A 2008 inductee into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame. Bill is in his 22nd year as morning show host of WSM’s “Coffee, Country & Cody” & is a Grand Ole Opry announcer/host.
He has multiple nominations for CMA, ACM & Billboard awards. Bill’s radio syndication, television, voice over & movie credits include: “American Saturday Night: Live from the Grand Ole Opry”, GAC TV’s “Master Series” & the network’s specials, “Tennessee’s Wildside” on PBS, Ray Stevens’ Nashville (RFD), The Nashville Network (TNN), Bill Cody’s Classic Country Weekend, Nashville Record Review, Country’s Most Wanted, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Music City Walk of Fame, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Ryman Auditorium, Willie’s Roadhouse on Sirius/XM Satellite Radio, United Airlines In-Flight country programming also heard aboard Air Force 1 & 2.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Rebecca, for 35 years. They have 3 children and live near Cross Plains, TN.
Born just outside Providence, RI in October of 1963, Charlie is not only the “Resident Yankee” on the WSM staff; shockingly he’s the only “Portuguese” staff member as well! A proud member of “Coffee, Country & Cody” since 2004, Charlie and his wife Renee’ live near Nolensville and are the proud parents of 2 year old Jackson and a 14 year old Pug named “Allie.”
Charlie’s a 30 year radio veteran with stints at WNWS radio in Miami and WLAC radio in Nashville and is a 1985 alum of the University of Miami. He’s also the longtime voice of Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball.
Charlie loves the Boston Red Sox, English Premier League Soccer, the music of Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Bill Clinton, the writing of John Steinbeck & Apple Computers.
Megan Alexander is an Emmy nominated national news correspondent. She wears a variety of hats, including host, reporter, author, actress and speaker. Megan works as a correspondent on the longest-running syndicated national news magazine television show Inside Edition, covering all the major awards shows, 9 Super Bowls, interviewing Presidents and breaking national news stories. For the 2015/2016 seasons, Megan was a Special Correspondent for CBS Television covering “Thursday Night Football”. As an actress, she has appeared in the ABC primetime drama “Nashville”, CMT’s “Still the King”, the BET network’s “Back to the Goode Life” and the feature films “God’s Not Dead 3”, “Redeemed” “Heartbeats” and “Space Warriors”. One of her first acting gigs was appearing in Josh Turner’s music video for “What it Ain’t”.
Check out what we have coming up for Route 650 Week on WSM!
Route 650 Week Schedule
Tuesday, August 4 at 6pm/c – Air Castle Community Hour with Charlie Worsham
Tuesday, August 4 at 7pm/c – Opry Replay featuring Billy Strings
Wednesday, August 5 at 6pm/c – Whiskey Wednesday
Thursday, August 6 at 6pm/c – I Played The Ryman with Ketch Secor
Thursday, August 6 at 7pm/c – Opry Country Classics Replay
Friday, August 7 at 12pm/c – I Played The Ryman Marathon on Route 650
Friday, August 7 at 7pm/c – Opry Replay featuring Old Crow Medicine Show
Saturday, August 8 at 4pm/c – Route 650 Opry Warmup Show
Saturday, August 6 at 7pm/c – Grand Ole Opry Live featuring Old Crow Medicine Show, Dom Flemons, Billy Strings, and Molly Tuttle
Celebrating 25 Years of Service
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (July 22, 2020) – After nearly a life-long career in country music and more than two decades with the most famed country station in the world 650 AM WSM, iconic radio personality Eddie Stubbs has announced his retirement, effective July 29, 2020.
On July 8, 1996, Stubbs began hosting the evening shift on WSM and now holds the distinction of being the longest-serving broadcaster in the 7 p.m. to midnight slot in WSM’s 95 years of operation. With a different theme each night, ‘Hall Of Fame Monday,’ ‘Two For Tuesday,’ Way Back Wednesday,’ ‘Classic Opry Thursday’ and ‘WSM By Request’ on Fridays, Stubbs’ unique insight into the stories and the people behind the music always gave listeners a reason to tune in.
Stubbs said, “I have had an extremely blessed 25 years at WSM, and as the third-longest tenured announcer in the Grand Ole Opry’s history. The experiences and friendships have allowed me to live a lot of dreams. Needless to say, I will be forever grateful.”
WSM Director of Content and Programming J. Patrick Tinnell said, “Eddie’s talent, service, and dedication are the stuff of legends and are forever part of WSM and Grand Ole Opry history.”
Stubbs came to Nashville on March 21, 1995, to play fiddle with the Queen of Country Music Kitty Wells and her husband Johnnie Wright. A week later he was hired part-time at WSM. Just seventeen days after his arrival in Music City, Eddie auditioned for the announcer’s position on the Grand Ole Opry show.
Dan Rogers, Grand Ole Opry Vice President and Executive Producer, said, “Eddie has been a great friend to the Opry, to the Opry’s artists, and to listeners around the world. I have no doubt that students of the Opry and of country music will for years turn to his recorded conversations with legends including Merle Haggard, Ray Price, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart and so many more to learn about their careers and the era in which Eddie has made such an impact at the Opry and on WSM.”
In addition to his roles at WSM and Opry, Stubbs served six seasons as the on-camera announcer for The Marty Stuart Show on RFD-TV. He has served on committees with the Country Music Association, the International Bluegrass Music Association, as well as The Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
Stubbs earned the Country Music Association’s Large Market Broadcast Personality of the Year award in 2002. In 2012, he received country radio’s highest honor by becoming one of the youngest living inductees into the Country Radio Hall of Fame.
WSM will soon announce plans for the 7 p.m. – midnight shift. In the meantime, Jeff Hoag, who has worked with Eddie over the years, will serve as host.
About WSM:
650 AM WSM is the most famed country music station in the world. Each day, the station shares country, bluegrass and Americana as well as the excitement of Music City with friends in Middle Tennessee and listeners around the world. WSM debuted on Oct. 5, 1925, and less than two months later, the station would birth its most famous show (and the show that would make country music famous), the Grand Ole Opry. WSM has gone on to become a broadcasting giant and a friend to hundreds of thousands of fans. The station has won hundreds of broadcasting awards and was named Country Radio Station of the Century by “Radio & Records” in 2000. WSM’s personalities are nationally recognized figures in country music, and its listeners range from U.S. Presidents to Country Music Hall of Famers, to artists climbing the charts toward their first number one hit. You never know when a famous listener might drop in for a visit or to take the studio’s reigns for a while. For more information, visit wsmonline.com.
About Ryman Hospitality Properties:
Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE: RHP) is a leading lodging and hospitality real estate investment trust that specializes in upscale convention center resorts and country music entertainment experiences. The Company’s core holdings* include a network of five of the top 10 largest non-gaming convention center hotels in the United States based on total indoor meeting space. These convention center resorts operate under the Gaylord Hotels brand and are managed by Marriott International. The Company also owns two adjacent ancillary hotels and a small number of attractions managed by Marriott International for a combined total of 10,110 rooms and more than 2.7 million square feet of total indoor and outdoor meeting space in top convention and leisure destinations across the country. The Company’s Entertainment segment includes a growing collection of iconic and emerging country music brands, including the Grand Ole Opry; Ryman Auditorium; WSM 650 AM; Ole Red and Circle, a country lifestyle media network the Company owns in a joint venture with Gray Television. The Company operates its Entertainment segment as part of a taxable REIT subsidiary.
*The Company is the sole owner of Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center; Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center; and Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center. It is the majority owner and managing member of the joint venture that owns Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center.
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Media Contacts
Shannon Sullivan | Alyson Stokes
Ryman Hospitality Properties
ssullivan@rymanhp.com | AStokes@rymanhp.com
615-316-6727
Join us this Saturday, July 18 at 6pm/c on WSM Radio for a special Opry Radio Block Party to celebrate Oklahoma Swing Week on WSM brought to you by the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Will Rogers Memorial Museum! We’ll be spinning our favorite songs from Oklahomans, Vince Gill and Reba McEntire, before they step inside the historic Opry circle at 7pm/c. Like always stick around with us after the Opry to keep the party going until 9pm/c!
Tune in to the Opry Radio Block Party on 650 AM, WSMonline.com, or the WSM app!
What’s your favorite song from Reba and Vince?
Request it below and you just might hear it during the Opry Radio Block Party on Saturday, July 18!
650 AM WSM LAUNCHES NEW LIFESTYLE SHOW HOSTED BY NAN KELLEY AND DEVON O’DAY
NASHVILLE, TN — Country radio icon 650 AM WSM today announced the March 1 premiere of Nashville Today, an all-new afternoon drive show hosted by industry veterans Nan Kelley and Devon O’Day. Nashville Today will air Monday – Friday from 3-6 p.m. CT. The show can also be heard online at www.wsmradio.com and via the station’s mobile app.
A lifestyle and entertainment show, Nashville Today will provide listeners with an appealing and informative look at all things Nashville, connecting them with the great vibe and energetic lifestyle that is Music City.
The nation’s attention has turned to Nashville as one of the most promising places to live and work. Among the city’s most recent accolades have been a top ranking by CNN as a “City Where Startups Thrive” as well as recognition from Travel+Leisure as one of “America’s Best Cities.” The city’s friendly locals, growing food scene, job potential, great music, and strong Southern sensibilities are some of the things that both make Nashville so unique and will make Nashville Today entertaining.
“I moved to Nashville to sing and dance at Opryland. My television career began in studio A at the Opry House, and I’ve hosted many Opry Live episodes from both the Opry House and the Ryman, so I’ve always felt like family in this circle,” said Kelley. “To now become an official family member at WSM as part of an innovative, fun, informative concept like Nashville Today is full circle destiny for me and that’s so exciting! Nashville and the area have so much to offer, and Devon and I plus our guests are going to dive in daily to the rich pool that is our town, our community, and our lifestyle.”
O’Day adds, “We want Nashville Today to be appointment listening that embraces all the richness of Nashville. We want compelling stories that keep you hanging on until the last word, live music that you won’t hear anywhere else, and a truly organic listening experience that simply exists nowhere else in the world except WSM.”
“Nashville Today will fill a void in the radio landscape,” said Chris Kulick, WSM General Manager. “This show will celebrate the growth of Nashville while paying homage to the legacy of WSM. With the advent of digital technology and our 50,000-watt Clear Channel signal, we are poised to deliver a taste of the Nashville Lifestyle to the entire country.”
For more information on WSM or Nashville Today, visit www.wsmradio.com or https://www.facebook.com/wsmradio/.
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. 650 AM WSM is owned by Ryman Hospitalities (NYSE: RHP). A weekly listing of all 650 AM WSM programming is available at wsmradio.com.
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HEARTLAND ANNOUNCES THE ADDITION OF 650 AM WSM’S COFFEE, COUNTRY & CODY
Chattanooga, Tenn. (January 14, 2016) – Luken Communications, LLC and The Heartland Network, LLC, in cooperation with 650 AM WSM and Grand Ole Opry, LLC, are proud to announce the addition of WSM’s long-running morning show, Coffee, Country & Cody to Heartland’s programming lineup. Coffee, Country & Cody will launch on Monday, February 1, 2016, and is scheduled to air weekdays from 7:00 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.
Currently in its 22nd year, Coffee, Country & Cody is a staple in Nashville, hosted by Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Famer and affable television personality Bill Cody along with his producer and sidekick, Charlie Mattos. Together, Bill, Charlie and their team start every weekday off with great music (country, bluegrass, Americana, Opry cuts and live studio guests), the latest news, entertaining features and lively talk. Grand Ole Opry members and other entertainment personalities are often featured as guests on the show, which broadcasts from the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.
“We are honored to join the Heartland Network. I believe that consumers are yearning for genuine and authentic entertainment,” said Chris Kulick, WSM General Manager. “I know that 650 AM WSM listeners and Heartland viewers will embrace the warmth of one of the most sincere personalities in the world, Bill Cody.”
Matthew Golden, Luken’s Vice President of Programming, said, “WSM and Heartland are dedicated to preserving the legacy of the legends of country music, both classic and contemporary. I can’t think of any show that would speak more directly to the core of the Heartland audience.”
WSM debuted on October 5, 1925, and less than two months later, the station would birth its most famous show (and the show that would make country music famous), the Grand Ole Opry. The Opry was the first of WSM’s shows to develop such an excited audience that fans would visit live studio broadcasts. That tradition continues today not only with the Opry, but with other signature programming as well.
Heartland officially debuted in 2013 with programming comprised of syndicated and first run shows along with digitally restored content pulled from the vaults of Music Row, creating a country music and lifestyle experience that brings delight to lovers of every generation and genre. The program lineup includes Reflections with host Keith Bilbrey, Bluegrass Ridge, Country Fix, Country Standard Time, Music City Tonight, Texas Music Scene, Gaither Gospel Hour, classic episodes of Crook & Chase and several popular music video blocks including Country Music Today and Country Music Rewind.
For more information about Heartland, visit www.watchheartlandtv.com or www.facebook.com/WatchHeartlandTV. For more information on WSM, visit www.wsmradio.com or https://www.facebook.com/wsmradio/.
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 airwaves since its inception. 650 AM WSM is owned by Ryman Hospitalities (NYSE: RHP). A weekly listing of all 650 AM WSM programming is available at wsmradio.com.
About Luken Communications:
Luken Communications offers diverse, family-friendly programming on its networks reaching approximately 80 percent of all U.S. households via a blend of over-the-air, cable and satellite television. The current network offerings include Rev’n, Retro TV, The Heartland Network, TUFF TV, PBJ, The Family Channel and Frost Great Outdoors (FGO). Luken Communications’ flagship Retro TV was one of the first digital broadcast networks launched in 2005.
