Chuck Mead – “Face the Music” – WSM News

June 14, 2019 By Nicole Judd In Articles, Events /

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.

LISTEN HERE!

*Face the Music with Chuck Mead airs the second Friday of every month from 6-7 PM|CT!

Happy Birthday, Randy Travis! – WSM News

April 25, 2019 By Nicole Judd In Articles, Events /

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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WSM Presents Music City Mentors – WSM News

February 7, 2019 By Nicole Judd In Articles, Events /

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

WSM Presents Music for Kids – WSM News

October 2, 2018 By Nicole Judd In Articles, Events /

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:

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Media Contact:

Nicole Judd | WSM Radio | 615-458-9429 | nicole@wsmradio.com

Register your child/teen HERE!

Bobby Bare & Friends – New Podcast

August 1, 2018 By Nicole Judd In Live Interview / -1

Route 650 & WSM have teamed up with Country Music Hall of Famer Bobby Bare to bring you Bobby Bare & Friends.

From 1983 to 1988 Bobby Bare hosted the TV show “Bobby Bare and Friends” on TNN: The Nashville Network. Thanks to Bare’s easy-going manner, the series captured American musicians and songwriters in an intimate way that few televised programs had at the time. The show was based on what Bare called “guitar pulling”: “That’s where somebody plays and then someone can’t wait to pull the guitar away and sing his song.” Some of the artists featured included Toy Caldwell, Charlie Daniels, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, David Allan Coe and more.

Now, more than 30 years later, Bare is creating a new podcast of the same name featuring conversations with Jamey Johnson, Trace Adkins, Jessi Colter, Ray Stevens, Billy Joe Shaver, Joe Ely, Delbert McClinton, Bill Anderson and more. “Bobby Bare and Friends” launches today on podcast networks and on wsmradio.com. “Bobby Bare and Friends” is produced by 650 AM WSM in association with 117 Entertainment. New episodes will be released twice a month and will air on Route 650, 650 AM WSM’s Americana centric digital streaming station, at 3 p.m. CST on release days along with highlights being played throughout the week on the historic radio station itself

Subscribe to the podcast on Libsyn, Apple Podcast, Spotify and your favorite podcast outlet.

New episodes released every other Wednesday starting August 1!

More info and episodes found HERE!

Reba McEntire – Eddie Stubbs – WSM Interview

November 27, 2017 By Nicole Judd In Live Interview /

WSM’s Eddie Stubbs had the pleasure recently of sitting down for an exclusive interview with the one and only Reba McEntire! Eddie spoke with Reba about her latest Christmas and inspirational albums, her hosting “CMA Country Christmas” and so much more! Listen to the interview below!

51st CMA Awards – Backstage Interviews

November 9, 2017 By Nicole Judd In Live Interview /

WSM had the pleasure of hanging out backstage during the 51st CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN to chat with the artists fresh off their wins! Take a listen to the Soundcloud player below to hear special remarks on Country Music’s Biggest Night from Mac McAnally, Jon Pardi, Chris Stapleton, Little Big Town, the Family of Glen Campbell, and Garth Brooks!

Charlie Daniels – Ryman Memories – Interview

October 26, 2017 By Nicole Judd In Live Interview, Videos / 1

In honor of the 125th anniversary celebration of the Ryman Auditorium, 650 AM WSM has launched Ryman Memories – a series of interviews and videos surrounding the stories and memories that artists share about the historic Ryman Auditorium. Hosted by Eddie Stubbs and featuring various monthly guests, these special stories and memories are sure to warm your heart!

Check out Eddie’s interview with Charlie Daniels below!

Medallion Ceremony Red-Carpet – Live Stream

October 22, 2017 By Nicole Judd In Live Interview, Videos /

Our very own Bill Cody will be live on the red-carpet today, prior to the Country Music Hall of Fame Medallion Ceremony 2017.

Watch a live stream of the red-carpet arrivals starting at 3pm/ct.

Country Music Hall of Fame