Hay launched the WSM Barn Dance with 77-year-old fiddler Uncle Jimmy Thompson on November 28, 1925, and that date is celebrated as the birth date of the Grand Ole Opry. (2005) and Woody Guthrie: Hard Travelin' (1984). Carter, convinced his wife Sara and Maybelle (pregnant at the time) to make the journey from Virginia to Tennessee to audition for record producer Ralph Peer, who was seeking talent for the new Johnny Cash was born February 26, 1932, in Kingsland, Arkansas, to Carrie Cash (Rivers) and Raymond Cash. Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about. About a year after the channel was eliminated, then-rival XM Satellite Radio announced the carriage of the Grand Ole Opry on Nashville! [7] She was an actress, known for The Gold Guitar (1966), Cottonpickin' Chickenpickers (1967) and The Jimmy Dean Show (1963). Charlie Louvin was born on July 7, 1927 in Section, Alabama, USA. Tickets on Sale. She was previously married to Paul Kennerley, Brian Ahern and Tom Slocum. He is an actor, known for Days of Heaven (1978), Night of the Comet (1984) and Survive the Game (2021). She was an actress, known for Opry Video Classics: Duets (2007), Country Music Caravan (1964) and Grand Ole Opry (1953). He was an actor, known for The Devil All the Time (2020), Kleptomania (1995) and Young Ones (2014). Among them was the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center, the Opryland Theme park, WSM radio station, and the Ryman Auditorium. Since its establishment on January 1, 2020, the country music oriented TV network Circle has simulcast WSM's morning show Coffee, Country, and Cody.[20]. The Everly Brothers were an American rock duo, known for steel-string acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. WebThe First Grand Ole Opry. Gaylord vowed to continue operations of the Grand Ole Opry House and the "Grand Ole Opry" radio program. Hank Locklin was born on February 15, 1918 in McLellan, Florida, USA. In 2012, Gaylord Entertainment Company was renamed Ryman Hospitality Properties. WSM is credited with helping shape Nashville into a recording industry capital. A month after WSMs first show, National Life hired George D. Hay, a prominent announcer and program director known for his National Barn Dance program He died on August 29, 1987 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Lena could not leave them on the side of the road so they scooped the babies up and put them in the car. When the 878-foot tower was built in 1932, it was the tallest antenna in North America. "[18] The station's broadcast studios were first located in the company's building on Seventh Avenue and Union Street in downtown Nashville; this was the original home of the Opry, until 1934. Upon completion of the new headquarters, National Life and Accident Insurance Company chose to relocate WSM radio to their new TV studios, and WSM radio, joined in 1968 by its new FM sister, broadcast from that location from 1966 to 1983. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google. Hale and Jim Brogdon. 8:15 p.m.: Its time for intermission and after the heavy velvet curtain draws to a close, Shatner and Cook pose on the famed center circle on the stage with the Grand Ole Opry Band and staff. Click HERE for Tickets! Earlier in the evening, Shatner had been told about the legendary circle, which was taken from the center of the Ryman Auditorium stage where Hank Williams Sr., Patsy Cline and other country legends had stood when the Opry was housed full time at the Ryman and moved to the new Opry House when it opened in 1974. The reigning queen of country music has pursued a musical career since she was 5. They'll also find options for booking a backstage tour, special packages with accommodations and meet-and-greets, as well as travel tips for visiting the Music City in general. One day in December 1927, the final music piece on the Music Appreciation Hour depicted the sound of a rushing locomotive. At night, it can be heard in much of the eastern and central United States. We'll show you to the best plans and pricing for you. That statement struck the right chord with country music audience, with the name taking hold not long after. Those who just want to drop by to pay homage to this special place will find it located 2804 Opryland Drive, not far from Nashville's trendy East Side. As the new name took center stage, the size of the crowds showing up for the weekly radio broadcast continued to increase as well. [6] After television became popular (thus largely eliminating the audience for full-length radio programs), WSM adopted a middle of the road (MOR) music format during the daytime hours, and continued to play country music at night. In 1932, WSM boosted its power to 50,000 watts,[2][6] becoming Tennessee's first clear-channel station. It is now one of the oldest operating broadcast towers in the United States. Dallas Wayne is a well-traveled singer/songwriter/actor who has released albums under his own name and as a member of the Twangbangers. McDaniel grew up in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Its height was reduced to 808 feet (246 m) in 1939 when it was discovered that the taller tower was causing self-cancellation in the "fringe" areas of reception of the station (it is now known that 195 electrical degrees, about 810 feet, is the optimum height for a Class A station on that frequency). WSM broadcast in the C-QUAM format of AM stereo, which could be heard over several states at night, from 1982 until 2000. The longest-running radio show in broadcasting history, the Grand Ole Opry has long been the symbolic center of country music. The space is known as the Companys Comin dressing room, which is reserved for distinguished visitors and guest announcers. Shatner encourages the boys to get some food, and soon the polite youngsters are nibbling and visiting with other guests. That said, the location suffered severe damage during a massive flood that occurred back in 2010, but master craftsmen spent five months, working round the clock, to restore the place not only to its former status, but to improve the setting too. He is a music artist and actor, known for Maverick (1994), Anger Management (2003) and Nowhere to Run (1993). [2], Hay moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he died in 1968. WebGrand Ole Opry (1953 ) Full Cast & Crew See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro Series Directed by Series Writing Credits Noel Digby (written by) (1 episode, 1956) Series Cast Click HERE for Tickets! Much of that history begins and ends with the Grand Ole Opry, a one-hour radio show that had humble beginnings starting in the 1920s. Major country female vocalist of the 1960s and 1970s, a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1971. Throughout his career, Bilbrey worked every single time slot at WSM and became an iconic voice in the modern history of the station and fan favorite. WebWith a different theme each night, Hall Of Fame Monday, Two For Tuesday, Way Back Wednesday, Classic Opry Thursday and WSM By Request on Fridays, theres always a He was an actor, known for The Marty Stuart Show (2008), Grand Ole Opry (1940) and All You Need Is Love (1977). Your , Buy TICKETS MORE Opry Shows See the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Friday, February 10, 2023 with performances by Lady A, Mark O'Connor - plus more artists to be announced. Buy TRUSTED Tickets on Nashville.com backed by a 100% Money-Back Guarantee > , Buy TICKETS MORE Opry Shows See the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Friday, February 17, 2023 with performances by Ella Langley, The Isaacs - plus more artists to be announced. He was previously married to Hazel Juanita Alexander. [3] Hay was impressed, and that planted the seed for his later efforts. He has been married to Jean Sterling since 1964. Station personality Bill Cody will serve as show announcer. Itll be a short night ahead as Shatner has another early morning ahead of him, planning to rise around 4 a.m. to make a 6:30 flight, but its been a good day. It led to all of the other breaks in my career. Trace Adkins He was later discovered by a talent scout at Kentucky's Georgetown College. Doctor Damrosch [host of the program] told us that there is no place in the classics for realism. He says his friend Neal McCoy has headlined it twice and is always a hit. Would you like some of it back? Cook quipped. Mel was inspired to play music after he saw Elvis Presley on television. He has been married to Pam since June 21, 1975. At this point, I offer to show him the way. Shatner has recorded six spoken-word albums, and when Curl encouraged him to record a country record, Shatner enthusiastically threw himself into the project, traveling to Fort Payne, Ala.to record at Cooks studio last May. David Houston was born on December 9, 1938 in Bossier City, Louisiana, USA. Do you have a question? Shatner asked. He was previously married to Doris Shrode. Don Gibson was born on April 3, 1928 in Shelby, North Carolina, USA. His father took an old guitar as part payment on an account and gave it Curly Fox was born on November 10, 1910 in Graysville, Tennessee, USA. He was previously married to Pearl Butler. Tickets on Sale. He died on August 24, 1998 in Jackson, Mississippi, USA. The early origins of the show can be traced back to 1925 and another radio program called the "WSM Barn Dance," which took place in a radio studio located on the fifth floor of the National Life & Accident Insurance Company in downtown Nashville. Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. She has been married to John McBride since May 15, 1988. Hes all smiles as he waves to the crowd and they launch into the song, a poignant plea for making the world a better place that has Shatner serving up such lyrics as: So much pain and trouble in the world/So many broken and confused/My heart keeps saying, Reach out to someone/Dont just try, but do.. In 2018, WSM launched Opry Nashville Radio, a full-time streaming station billed as being "based on the Grand Ole Opry and Nashville lifestyle" and focusing mainly on contemporary country music. [1] He was featured in Hoosier Holiday, a 1945 film from Republic Pictures, in a cast that also included Dale Evans. [12], As a tribute to the station's centrality in country music history, the diamond antenna design was incorporated into the new Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's design in 2001. 3:12 PM Disc jockey and former Grand Ole Opry announcer Hairl Hensley died Sunday (Dec. 31) in Mt. Uncle Dave Macon was born on October 7, 1870 in Smartt, Tennessee, USA. Shatner and Cook good-naturedly answer questions about their album and a wide variety of other topics. To be able to join an announcing staff with a lot of my broadcast idols was a big thrill. George Dewey Hay (November 9, 1895 May 8, 1968) was an American radio personality, announcer and newspaper reporter. He died on September 4, 1992 in Franklin, Tennessee, USA. [10] Hay is quoted: "For the past hour we have been listening to music largely from Grand Opera, but from now on we will present 'The Grand Ole Opry.'"[8]. The current WSM-FM is no longer affiliated with WSM, while the owners of WSMV and WSM jointly operate the television network Circle, which airs on a subchannel of WSMV and simulcasts portions of the Opry with WSM. Opry 4:30 p.m.: The press conference wraps and Shatner and Cook are escorted from Studio A to dressing room #14, the Honky Tonk Angels dressing roomdedicated to the trailblazing women of country music. Finally making his way to the dressing room, he sits in a chair and sighs, commenting that hes been up since 4 a.m. and its been a long day. Soundtrack | His mother and father operated a little store at the crossroads in Blue Lick, Kentucky. The stations' call letters were derived from the company's motto, "We Shield Millions. They have three children. Curl, his wife, Guyla and Heartland publicist Fred Anderson are all thats left of the entourage that has accompanied Cook and Shatner. He is an actor, known for Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Cruel Intentions (1999) and Tremors (1990). She is a music artist and actress, known for Runaway Bride (1999), Where the Heart Is (2000) and Four Christmases (2008). On November 9, 1925, Hay's 30th birthday, he moved on to WSM in Nashville. He has been married to Cassidy Black since December 17, 2005. He made his first single, "Hey Porter", for Sun Records in 1955. WebGrant Turner (May 17, 1912 - October 19, 1991) was an American disc jockey known as the long time host of the Grand Ole Opry and on WSM AM radio in Nashville, Tennessee. Bill Anderson was born on November 1, 1937 in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. Shatner shares that he plans to record a blues album and film a documentary on the genre. He was previously married to Janis Oliver. Margie Bowes was born on March 18, 1941 in Roxboro, North Carolina, USA. An experienced equestrian, Shatner has a home in Lexington, Ky.and got up at 4 a.m. to make the nearly four-hour drive to Nashville. Elizabeth takes note of the metal bar on the wall of the room that serves as a marker denoting how high the flood waters were in the Opry House during the Nashville flood in 2010. The crowd erupted in laughter. Duke of Paducah was born on May 12, 1901 in DeSoto, Missouri, USA. Country and bluegrass legend John Hartford parodied the distinctive style of WSM DJs on the album Aereo-Plain, humorously changing the station's call letters to the phrase "Dorothy S. Im doing better than I thought I would be doing., When a reporter asked Shatner, What do you play? He grinned and responded, My wife.. Exclusive channels, sports play-by-play, A-list hosts. He died on March 14, 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. [8] It is primarily associated with the popularization of country music through its weekly Saturday night program, the Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio program in history. In the spring of 1974 the now-legendary radio show moved out of the Ryman Auditorium to set up residence in a brand new building officially named the Grand Ole Opry House. During December, this channel flips to all Christmas music. Tuesday, February 14, 2023 with performances by Bill Anderson - plus more artists to be announced. Tell us what you think about this feature. In 1996, the station was named Radio Station of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards. Time: 7:00 p.m. Tickets on Sale. He was an actor, known for Night Train to Memphis (1946), Home in San Antone (1949) and Surf's Up (2007). Time: 7:00 p.m. Tickets on Sale. He was an actor and composer, known for Love and a .45 (1994), A West Texas Children's Story (2007) and Breaking Bad (2008). She was previously Bob Luman was born on April 15, 1937 in Nacogdoches, Texas, USA. [2], Newspaper, announcing, touring and film appearance, "Meet the American who founded the Grand Ole Opry: 'Remarkable visionary' George D. Hay", Hay's bio at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Hay bio at Virtual Country Music Heritage Museum, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_D._Hay&oldid=1127455670, Radio personalities from Memphis, Tennessee, Radio personalities from Nashville, Tennessee, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Radio Personality/announcer/newspaper reporter and writer, This page was last edited on 14 December 2022, at 20:32. This WSM-FM (95.5MHz) was WSM's sister until 2008, when Cumulus Media, the full owner of WSM-FM since 2003, ended its joint sales agreement with the AM (see below). He died on November 23, 1992 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. At one time, American General was the parent company of the Life and Casualty Insurance Company based in Nashville, former owner of WSM-TV rival WLAC-TV (now WTVF), and WLAC-AM-FM, but divested the broadcast properties in 1975, long before the NLT merger. Craig Morgan was born on July 17, 1965 in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, USA. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1966. Vince Gill was born on April 12, 1957 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. Hoot Hester was born on August 13, 1951 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. [citation needed] Over time, as more acts and recording companies came to Nashville, the city became known as the center of the country music industry. Actor | Actress | He died on November 15, 2018 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. The first move took the program to the Belcourt Theatre (known then as the Hillsboro Theatre), before moving on to The Dixie Tabernacle, and then on to the War Memorial Auditorium. Though Shatner had previously visited the Opry with friends, this marked his first performance at the famed venue and he graciously let Billboard shadow him to document the experience. [1] While on a reporting assignment in Mammoth Spring, Arkansas in 1919, Hay was invited to a hoedown in a local cabin. He was an actor and composer, known for A Prairie Home Companion (2006), Dutch (1991) and Finding North (1998). [15] This was replaced in 1941 by a commercial FM station, initially with the call sign W47NV and operating on 44.7MHz. "[3] The Barn Dance was broadcast after NBC's Music Appreciation Hour, a program featuring classical music and grand opera. A couple minutes later as Shatner was speaking, Cook raised his hand. Hensley was also was the announcer on the syndicated television program The Porter Wagoner Show. He died on July 7, 1975 in the USA. In 1972, Emery began hosting The Ralph Emery Show on Nashvilles WSMV-TV, featuring country acts and interviews. That said, in a nod to its roots the venue uses pew-style seating. He was previously married to Mary ?. In 1981, the American General Corporation (now part of the American International Group) bought NLT. WebKeith Bilbrey (born August 14, 1952) is an American country music disc jockey and television host in Nashville, Tennessee. She was previously married to Carl Smith. Many of those fans have been listening to the radio show for years and it is a dream come true for them to witness it in person. He died on June 20, 1965 in Jefferson City, Missouri, USA. If you're planning on visiting Nashville, the Grand Ole Opry should be near the top of your list for places to see. Buy TRUSTED Tickets on Nashville.com backed by a 100% Money-Back Guarantee > , Buy TICKETS MORE Opry Shows See the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday, February 11, 2023 with performances by Don Schlitz - plus more artists to be announced. In fact, hes been moved to dressing room #7, which becomes an overflow area as the Shatner party has outgrown room #10. Besides his uncle (whom he Montgomery Gentry is known for The Dukes of Hazzard (2005), Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk (2016) and Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector (2006). He was an actor, known for Planet Terror (2007), Gangster Squad (2013) and Natural Born Killers (1994). Classic country from the '60s, '70s and '80s by artists such as Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Conway Twitty, Patsy Cline and more. He was an actor, known for Country Music Caravan (1964), Las Vegas Hillbillys (1966) and Country Fair (1941). He is an actor and producer, known for Rizzoli & Isles (2010), Savage Lands and CMT Hot 20 Countdown (2001). She was an actress, known for The Hi-Lo Country (1998), The Maestro Rides Again! He was an actor, known for Hillbillys in a Haunted House (1967), The Devil All the Time (2020) and Las Vegas Hillbillys (1966). Inside, the Grand Ole Opry House is a thoroughly modern affair, with an elegant stage, beautiful lighting, and wonderful acoustics. [23] [2], Hay was born in Attica, Indiana, United States. The Grammy-nominated member of the Grand Ole Opry is a television personality, actor, author, spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Soundtrack | Born in Rosine Kentucky, he was the youngest of eight children. He died on August 10, 2011 in Benton, Illinois, USA. During the 1930s, he was involved with Rural Radio, one of the first magazines about country music, developing the Opry for NBC and working on the movie Grand Ole Opry (1940). Born Mary Frances Penick on December 30, 1931, Davis began performing in her native Kentucky as part of a duet with high school friend Betty Jack Davis in 1949. WSM (650 kHz) is a 50,000-watt clear channel AM radio station located in Nashville, Tennessee. George Jones was born on September 12, 1931 in Saratoga, Texas, USA. He died Danny Dill is known for Grosse Pointe Blank (1997), Logan Lucky (2017) and Another Girl Another Planet (1992). They have five children. He was an announcer with the radio show during the 1940s and toured with Opry acts, including the September 1947 Opry show at Carnegie Hall. Click HERE for Tickets! Buy TRUSTED Tickets on Nashville.com backed by a 100% Money-Back Guarantee > Your tickets will , Buy TICKETS MORE Opry Shows See the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville on Saturday, February 4, 2023 with performances by the Oak Ridge Boys - plus more artists to be announced. He was previously married to Alice Harper. Harold Hawkshaw Hawkins was born on December 22, 1921 in Huntington, West Virginia, USA. He died on July 6, 2020 in Hermitage, Tennessee, USA. Lonzo and Oscar is known for Predestination (2014), Country Music Holiday (1958) and Country Boy (1966). 5:35 p.m.: Reps from the record company have brought in a meal and just as Shatner and Elizabeth settle down with a plate, he and Cook are called to the stage to rehearse their number before the evenings performance. He died on March 17, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee, USA. Hairl Hensley is considered the dean of Grand Ole Opry announcers. On her eighth Jerry Clower was born on September 28, 1926 in Liberty, Mississippi, USA. Stoney Cooper was born on October 16, 1918 in Harmon, West Virginia, USA. Roy Drusky was born on June 22, 1930 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Gaylord Entertainment continued to control WSM and operate all other departments, including programming, engineering, and promotions. He was an actor, known for Maverick (1994), Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) and Something to Talk About (1995). In 1969, National Life announced plans to open up a theme park and hotel situated east of downtown Nashville and those plans also included a new home for the Grand Ole Opry itself. He was previously married to Tara Terpening Diffie, Theresa Crump, Debbie Jones and Janise Parker. Over the next few years, the "Barn Dance" audience continued to grow, with thousands tuning in to catch the latest featured musician or band.
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