WSM Industries history

By late 1932, WSM had joined a small, elite group of maximum-power, Class 1-A, clear-channel broadcasters.

Finally, in 1941, WSM continued its role as an industry trailblazer by giving America its first commercial FM station at an assigned frequency of 44.7 megaHertz.

The station operated with an effective radiated power of 65,000 watts and cast a healthy signal into Kentucky and Alabama.In 1947, the Federal Communications Commission reappraised its pre-war rulings and moved the commercial frequency modulation to 100.1 Mhz.

WSMV first signed on the air as WSM-TV September 30, 1950.

Having grown from traditional blacksmith's craftsmanship, since 1958 our company has developed into one of the leading full-service manufacturers in metal system construction with an international presence.

Continued GrowthWSM's absence from the FM airwaves, however, was temporary, for in 1968 WSM purchased an existing station, WLWM-FM, and used the frequency to return to the FM band at 95.5 Mhz.

In late September, 1969, WSM President Irving Waugh formally announces plans for Opryland, USA.

In attendance on the first night, March 15, 1974 was none other than President Richard Nixon.

While 650 AM WSM is where country music was essentially launched into the American mainstream, it did not begin airing country music full-time until 1980.

The station has won hundreds of broadcasting awards and was named Country Radio Station of the Century by “Radio & Records” in 2000.

In 2008, 650 AM WSM’s legendary status was recognized in the form of a NAB Marconi Award, the radio industry’s highest honor.