Sometime in 1925, a founder of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company was so passionate about radio, they managed to convince the other partners to start a station. Named after the company’s slogan “We Shield Millions,” WSM made a home out of a tiny studio unit in downtown Nashville and broadcasted live for the first time on October 5th of that year. Less than two months later, the most distinguished show in all of country music was born.
The story goes that Indiana native, George D. Hay found his way to the Volunteer State shortly after serving in the Army and picked up a job as a reporter for local Memphis newspaper, the Commercial Appeal. His broadcast career began in January of 1923 when said newspaper founded their own radio station, WMC, and hired him on as a late-night show host and programmer.
You know what they say… “when you’ve got it, you’ve got it,” and George D. Hay had IT. He became so popular that, in spring of 1924, he was offered a job at WLS in Chicago and named Radio Digest’s most popular host in the country by the fall. Life comes at you fast and this was just the beginning.
Speaking of fast, let’s fast forward one year to the fall of 1925… you know… when WSM first opened their doors? The Nashville station had an opening for program director and offered the position to none other than (you guessed it) THE George D. Hay. November 9th, 1925 was his first day on the job and he didn’t hesitate to hit the ground running. You see, Hays was known for his National Barn Dance program back in Chicago and he wanted to recreate it at WSM.
So… just 19 days later (on November 28th, 1925) George invited 77 year-old fiddle player, Jimmy Thompson, to kick off the first episode of what would later become the Grand Ole Opry as we know it.
Ninety-eight years and over 200 members later, the Opry continues to defend its title as the biggest stage in country music.
Learn more about the 72 active Opry members and how to become one here.
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