Sunday Morning Country Classic Spotlight — The Grand Ole Opry

Merry Christmas from all of us at 98.1 Minnesota’s New Country.  Due to our special holiday programming, the 98.1 Country Classic Show will not be heard on December 25^th.  We return on January 1^st, 2017.

The Grand Ole Opry is an iconic radio show that’s been on air since November 28, 1925  for 96 years. It was founded by George D. Hay as a one-hour radio show at the time known as the WSM Barn Dance. This show has launched countless country music careers and led the way for Nashville, Tennessee to become the country music capital.

In the 1930s, the show went to four hours. WSM was then broadcasting at 50,000 watts of power reaching 30 states. In 1939, it debuted on the NBC radio network where it ran for several years.  Country music legends Roy Acuff, the Carter Family, Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Marty Robbins, Bill Monroe and Minnie Pearl became regulars on the Opry Stage.  In recent years, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, and Carrie Underwood have been hosted by the Opry.

Since its inception, the Opry has had six different homes: National Life and Accident Insurance Company November 1925 to October 1934, Hillsboro Theatre October 1934 to June 1936, Dixie Tabernacle June 1936 to July 1939, War Memorial Auditorium June 1939 to June 1943, Ryman  and the Grand Ole Opry House March 1974 to the present day.

The Grand Ole Opry is still broadcasting live on WSM AM at 7 pm Central Time on Saturday Nights.  The 98 Country Classic Show is broadcast every Sunday morning from 9 am to 1 pm with yours truly hosting for the past 15 ½ years.

We take your requests at 320-252-9897 or email dick@minnesotasnewcountry.com or listen on your mobile device.  Join me Sunday January 1. 2017 for another Country Classic Show.  We will take you back to country music roots.