WSM and the Grand Ole Opry

WSM (We Shield Millions-the slogan of previous owner the National Life and Accident Insurance Company) is a Country music station in Nashville, Tennessee. Their 50,000-watt clear channel signal reaches a huge chunk of the United States and other countries, especially at night. The Saturday night WSM Barn Dance began in 1925, the same year the station went on the air. The Barn Dance immediately followed Music Appreciation Hour which consisted of classical music and selections from the Grand Opera genre. On today's date in 1927 the Barn Dance changed its name to the Grand Ole Opry after host George D Hay said, "For the past hour, we have been listening to music taken largely from Grand Opera. From now on we will present the Grand Ole Opry." The name stuck and the show has gone on to be the longest running radio program in history

WSM originally played country music only at night and carried an MOR format during daylight hours. It wasn't until 1979 that "The Air Castle of the South" adopted a 24-hour country format.