Michelle Williams dropped by Watch What Happens Live on Wednesday night (Sept. 10) to manifest a spot on one of the Real Housewives franchises, reveal her favorite Destiny’s Child song and talk about the beloved trio’s surprise reunion at the July 26 Las Vegas date on Beyoncé‘s Cowboy Carter tour.
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Compared to the last time the group got together at Coachella in 2018 — when she and Kelly Rowland hopped on stage for Beyoncé’s headlining gig — Williams said the Cowboy Carter tour finale was “just awesome, spur-of-the-moment,” explaining that before the Coachella gig they had “a little more time” to prepare. “This one was, ‘y’all let’s do this,’ and we did,” she said.
Williams, who is currently starring as Viola Van Horn in the Broadway musical Death Becomes Her, said she did not spill to co-stars Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard that she was sneaking out to hit the stage with her former bandmates. “No, I mean, I spoke to some powers that be once I knew that it was official, but I was kind of already gone,” she said.
Then Cohen got down to what everyone wants to know: is there any truth to the rumors that Bey’s mysterious Act III project will be a full DC album? “Now Andy, if that were the case…” she said, before Cohen cut her off and added, “this would be the last place that you would…”
Williams laughed, “it’s not the last place…,” but, of course, she kept things mum.
He then broadened the question, asking if Williams has hopes that the three of them might record something together some day. “Anything is possible,” Williams said diplomatically. “To me, performing on stage is like that for me… I only like it with Beyoncé and Kelly. But as far as Broadway, I’m a Broadway girl… Music? I only want to do it with them.”
Cohen kept digging in, asking how they landed on the songs they performed, which included “Lose My Breath,” “Energy” and “Bootylicious.”
“See, I don’t like giving away secrets,” Williams said. “There are talks, but I think too, why we’re able to have impact too, it’s not only the fact that people miss us, it’s because of what we don’t share… When you see us, you see us and when you don’t…”
Williams also revealed her go-to karaoke song on the show, and it might surprise you. “Livin’ on a Prayer’ by Bon Jovi,” she told Cohen, adding that her first concert was a Ray Charles gig. She also stressed over naming her least favorite DC song after Cohen reminded her that when Rowland was on the show she picked “Bug a Boo” from 1999’s The Writing’s on the Wall, a track recorded before Williams joined the group for 2001’s Survivor album.
“Ohhh!” she agonized, as Cohen gave her an out by also allowing her to name her favorite track by the trio. “Okay, so, I would say ‘Say My Name’ by far,” she said. Then, remembering that the title track from Survivor had played earlier in the show, she reconsidered and picked that one because “the musicality is still relevant… and it was the first I was ever on commercially.”
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 16:01:112025-09-11 16:01:11Michelle Williams Says Destiny’s Child Reunion on Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour Was Just An ‘Awesome… Spur of the Moment’ Thing
It’s been two months since Sabrina Carpenter first announced Man’s Best Friend, the follow-up album to her blockbuster breakthrough set Short n’ Sweet, dropping almost exactly a year after that four-week Billboard 200 No. 1 LP. Fans wondered if she was maybe returning too soon — especially since the hit singles and sold-out arena tour for Short n’ Sweet took her well into 2025 — and that hesitance could be felt in lukewarm early chatter surrounding this album’s initial release. But in the week-plus since, the tide has already begun to turn on the album, and now it seems like Man’s Best Friend might just be another W in Carpenter’s now-two-year-long pop winning streak.
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With this Rollout Report Card episode, we look at everything surrounding Man’s Best Friend — both in the two months leading up to it, and now the two weeks since its unveiling — and how an album that many seemed ready to declare premature is now revealing itself to perhaps be its predecessor’s equal, both commercially and artistically.
As we hand out our letter grades for all the most important factors in Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend rollout — from the live performances and music videos to the new songs and overall “albuminess” — we also answer the most important questions surrounding the new era: What makes this album such a consensus grower? Was the album cover worthy of the discourse it provoked? Should “Tears” (or another second single) have come out before the full album? Why were the VMAs seemingly intent on hyping her performance as little as possible? Did Sabrina Carpenter really do a Nardwuar interview? And perhaps most importantly of all: What else can she do before year’s end to really shore up her case for being the Greatest Pop Star of 2025?
Check it out above — along with a YouTube playlist of some of the most important moments from this fascinating album campaign, all of which are discussed in the podcast — and subscribe to the Greatest Pop Stars podcast on Apple Music or Spotify (or wherever you get your podcasts) for weekly discussions every Thursday about all things related to pop stardom!
And as we say in every one of these GPS podcast posts — if you have the time and money to spare, please consider donating to any of these causes in the fight for trans rights:
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 15:45:412025-09-11 15:45:41How Do We Grade the Rollout for Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Man’s Best Friend,’ 2025’s Most Fascinating Pop Album Era?
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KATSEYE took the stage at the 2025 MTV VMAs in the hottest shoe for fall, and everyone’s taking note.
The girl group graced the show’s stage on Sept. 7 to perform its hit track “Gnarly” in Steve Madden moto boots in three styles — the Rampage, Astor and Riggs, all in black. Each style is currently available to shop on Steve Madden’s website. The grungy silhouette is currently a hit, especially with the fall just weeks away. Not just for riding a motorcycle, these boots have been spotted on some famous feet, including those of Hailey Bieber, Dua Lipa and Emily Ratajkowski.
It’s hard not to spot these boots out in public, especially the Rampage. The Rampage and Astor retail for $159.95, while the less hardware-heavy option, the Riggs, retails for $199.95. Steve Madden’s Rocky boot is also another popular moto boot model.
While the silhouette is quite simple, it’s a stylish pick, especially if you’re looking to amp up your footwear game ahead of fall and winter. Each style sits just below the knee and is crafted with majority leather and comes equipped with a short block heel standing at 1.75 inches, save for the Astor at 2 inches.
The Astor and Rampage are equipped with silver hardware that offers the boots a grungier finish. The Riggs is a plain option for those looking for something less loud. Every KATSEYE member wore a Steve Madden style with a daring stage outfit, consisting of micro shorts or an asymmetric skirt. On top, the members wore what looked to be bodysuits or bustiers, some in blue, while others wore red or black. Yoonchae and Sophia wore dresses.
While moto boots aren’t a new concept, the style began gaining traction again when Miu Miu dropped its version aptly dubbed the Leather Boot in the fall of 2022 and 2023. This catapulted the style back into the mainstream, breathing new life into the classic in innovative ways. Since then, many brands have come to produce moto boots in a slew of styles and colorways. The phenom speaks to the power of the trend cycle, solidifying that hot new pieces will go in and out of fashion as long as the industry allows it.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 15:25:552025-09-11 15:25:55KATSEYE Took Over the 2025 VMAs Stage in These Steve Madden Boots: Here’s Where to Buy Them
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
With Halloween fast approaching, it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll be dressing your little ones as.
The obvious choice? Characters from KPop Demon Hunters, of course. The movie has taken over mainstream media, becoming a viral sensation across the globe with no end in sight. You’re bound to see a bunch of Rumis and Jinus running around this spooky season. Why not get ahead of the game and shop costumes now from Amazon?
The retailer just added a few KPop Demon Hunters costumes to its inventory, and they’re pretty cute. The best part? None of them are more than $30. You’ve got costumes for every HUNTR/X member, from fearless vocalist Rumi and the group’s dancer Mira to rapper Zoey. Kids’ sizing on these costumes ranges from three to four years up to 13 to 14 years, giving everyone ample opportunity to dress like their demon-hunting favorites.
Each costume is very accurate to the film, down to the zippers, to help make your little one feel as if they just stepped out of the film. The costumes come with a top and bottom, and are made of soft milk silk, a breathable fabric that doesn’t irritate the skin. Purple hair and space buns are not included. Footwear is not included with the costumes, which means you’ll just have to get creative.
Netflix’s animated film dropped back in June, focusing on the popular phenom that is K-pop. The film follows fictional world-renowned K-pop girl group HUNTR/X, which consists of members Rumi, Mira and Zoey. The group sings and performs, while secretly slaying demons when not on stage. The movie has since spawned everything from coloring books to Funko figures that have sold like hotcakes. The animation is vibrant, while the dialogue and accompanying songs are both funny and touching.
Many real-life K-pop acts are featured throughout the film. Andrew Choi, who is the singing voice of Saja Boys’ Jinu, is currently an active solo artist under SM Entertainment. Hit K-pop girl group TWICE performs the version of HUNTR/X’s “Takedown” that appears during the credits. Kevin Woo, who provided the singing voice for Saja Boys’ Mystery Saja, is from the K-pop boy band U-KISS. It’s clear that the producers of the film had an appreciation for the music genre and current artists.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 15:25:552025-09-11 15:25:55Prep Your Kids to Seal the Honmoon This Halloween With ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Costumes
Coldplay has been around the world and back since launching the Music of the Spheres World Tour in 2022. More than 200 shows deep, it’s already the bestselling tour in history and one of just two treks to gross more than $1 billion. But while a 10-show run at London’s Wembley Stadium looked like it might be the big finale, a tease of more than 100 additional dates will add one more honor: It’s now poised to become the highest grossing tour ever.
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On stage at the band’s ninth of 10 Wembley concerts on Sept. 6, Martin announced there would be 138 more shows on the Music of the Spheres World Tour, marathoning toward a thematically fitting total of 360 dates. Those additions will easily make it the second tour to gross more than $2 billion, likely sailing past Taylor Swift’s The Eras Tour (2023-24).
According to figures reported to Billboard Boxscore, the Music of the Spheres World Tour has brought in $1.38 billion in its first 211 shows, current through July 27. Over the last four years, Coldplay has averaged $6.6 million per show. Using the simplest math, the upcoming 138 dates would add $904 million, plus more than another $100 million from the current U.K. leg, resulting in a final gross circling $2.4 billion. The Eras Tour finished under $2.1 billion last December.
But that $6.6 million average is across all continents and dates back to 2022. Tour grosses have steadily risen since then, for Coldplay and most major touring artists, due to spiked ticket prices and increased momentum. The tour’s first leg paced $4.1 million per night in Latin America, increasing to $4.6 million later that year, and to $5.9 million in Brazil in 2023. North American shows averaged $5.7 million in 2022, $6.7 million in 2023 and most recently, $6.9 million during summer 2025. Shows in Europe and Australia reached $7.8 million per night in 2024, and the 2023-24 leg in Asia peaked at $8.1 million.
All that to say that the specific geographic routing of Coldplay’s remaining shows will heavily impact where the grosses land, though one can expect additional rise in ticket prices by the time the tour resumes in 2027. When all is said and done, the Music of the Spheres World Tour is likely to exceed $2.5 billion in total ticket revenue.
So far, Coldplay’s tour has sold 12.3 million tickets, surpassing The Eras Tour’s 10.2 million and 8.9 million on Ed Sheeran’s The Divide Tour (2017-19). By the end of the 360-show trek, the Music of the Spheres World Tour could become the first to surpass 20 million tickets.
Prior to this trek’s launch, the British quartet had grossed a reported $902 million and sold 10.8 million tickets. Once all shows have played, the Music of the Spheres World Tour will account for roughly two thirds of Coldplay’s touring totals.
Coldplay’s goal of 360 shows on one tour is ambitious. It dwarfs The Eras Tour’s 149 and even more so Beyoncé’s record-breaking Cowboy Carter Tour, which lasted just 32 shows. Among fellow bestsellers in Boxscore history, it’d surpass Elton John’s Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour (329), The Garth Brooks World Tour (318) and Sheeran’s The Divide Tour (258).
Coldplay is perhaps one of the few acts who can sustain such an expansive tour. The international spread on the Music of the Spheres Tour has been far and wide, from 10 sold-out shows in Buenos Aires to six in Singapore and 99 across Europe. Earlier this year, the band’s first shows in India broke records for the most attended stadiums shows of the century with 111,000 fans each night.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 15:13:182025-09-11 15:13:18Could Coldplay Surpass Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour Record With Spheres Tour Extension?
Good news Louis Tomlinson fans: the former One Direction singer is prepping his third solo studio album and he sounds pretty, pretty chuffed about it. On Tuesday (Sept. 9) the “Walls” singer announced that the unnamed LP is coming along nicely.
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“Just sat listening to the new record and I’ve got a really really good feeling this time around!” he wrote on X. “Can’t wait for you all to hear it!!”
Fans were equally excited, writing in the comments, “None of your records have disappointed thus far! Can’t wait!!,” “we also eager to hear it,” “count the days to listen to it!! I’m sure it’s going to be great!,” “sure just make us jealous that we can’t hear it yet” and “So so so so so ready to hear it!!”
The album will be the follow-up to 2022’s Faith in the Future, which featured the singles “Bigger Than Me,” “Out of My System” and “Silver Tongues.” That LP debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 album chart and was Tomlinson’s first to debut at No. 1 on the UK album charts.
Tomlinson has not yet announced a release date or title for his third effort, though he has begun lining up some live dates in the meantime and it sounds like fans might get a sneak peek next month. When a fan expressed frustration at the lack of information, Tomlinson teased, “or maybe I’m going to play something new at away from home,” following up with “it’s about time isn’t it” and “Really really excited about it! Got a few surprises. Should be fun.”
Tomlinson will headline the upcoming New York edition of his Away From Home Festival (Oct. 4-5) at Brewery Ommegang in Cooperstown, where he will appear alongside his curated list of fellow performers, which include Lauv, Steve Aoki, Plain White T’s, Daya, Circa Waves, Pale Waves and others.
He’s also on the roster for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Month 2025 in October, which will find a roster of superstars performing on the network’s morning radio show at noon GMT on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the month. Tomlinson will take the stage on Oct. 29, following sets from Olivia Dean, Conan Gray, Myles Smith, MGK, PinkPantheress, Robbie Williams, The Last Dinner Party, Skye Newman, Reneé Rapp, Lewis Capaldi, Demi Lovato, Wet Leg and Mumford & Sons. Live Lounge guests typically perform one of their own songs as well as a cover song.
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Are you a fan of blind boxes and plushie collectibles? Maybe Monchhichis? Well you’ve come to the right place.
Sonix is offering fans of the cutsey toy the ability to keep their tech safe and stylish with Airpods Max covers printed with Monchhichi graphics, proving that protective gear doesn’t have to be boring. The style currently retails for $30, an attractive price tag in comparison to other branded covers out there. The collection can be shopped on Sonix’s website.
If you’re looking to update your AirPods Max headphones, this is the product for you. The covers are made of thermoplastic polyurethane and feature a bright red and white polka-dot design. The beloved Monchhichi Boy and Monchhichi Girl figures are in the center of the covers, along with the toy’s logo in gold lettering.
These covers are lightweight and scratch-resistant, protecting your precious tech from hefty drops. Precise cutouts on the covers ensure all ports and buttons are accessible. They are also compatible with all Apple AirPods Max models. Simply slip the covers over the earcups, and boom — your headphones are safe and stylish.
That’s not all the Monchhichi merch Sonix has to offer — not by a long shot! The brand also has laptop cases, keychains, phone stands, charging port charms and even pickleball paddles for fans of the character to add a touch of whimsy to anything and everything. We especially love the Quilted AirPods Pouch retailing for $30 and the Puffy Laptop Sleeve Case retailing for $39. Both have a quilted texture and are padded to protect your tech while it is nestled inside.
The AirPods Pouch is drop-tested for up to 10 feet and features a precision molded design for perfect fit and easy installation. A gold keyring is attached to the pouch, allowing you to clip it onto your keys or bag with ease. The laptop sleeve is compatible with 16-inch devices and features an outer sleeve constructed from water-resistant nylon fabric, keeping your tablet or laptop safe from scary spills.
You may be reading this, thinking to yourself, “What the heck is a Monchhichi?” The plushie hails from Japan and was originally created by the Sekiguchi Corporation back in 1974. The design is meant to look like a monkey with a fuzzy tail, ears and a pacifier. The name Monchhichi is an amalgamation of the French word “mon” — meaning “mine” or “my” — and the Japanese onomatopoeia “chichi,” which mimics the sound of a baby sucking a pacifier, hence the attached pacifier.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 14:56:012025-09-11 14:56:01Sonix Is Upgrading AirPods Max With Monchhichi Covers: Here’s How to Shop the Tech Accessory
The Americana Music Association celebrated its 24th annual Americana Honors & Awards Wednesday night (Sept. 10) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
Sierra Ferrell continued her reign as artist of the year, taking home her second consecutive win in that category. Ferrell becomes the first woman to win back-to-back awards for artist of the year. Brandi Carlile previously won the category twice, though not in consecutive years. Other previous back-to-back winners in the category are John Prine (2017-2018) and Billy Strings (2022-2023). Ferrell won emerging artist of the year three years ago. She’s just the second artist to go from winning emerging artist of the year to artist of the year. Sturgill Simpson was the first.
Gillian Welch and David Rawlings were celebrated as duo/group of the year. The pair is the fourth collaboration to win duo/group of the year, following Alison Krauss and Robert Plant, Buddy and Julie Miller, and Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell.
Alex Hargreaves, a celebrated violinist and current full-time touring member with Billy Strings, was named instrumentalist of the year. Hargreaves is the first man to win instrumentalist of the year since Chris Eldridge in 2019.
I’m With Her’s Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins were honored with song of the year for “Ancient Light.” MJ Lenderman, who released the album Manning Fireworks in 2024, was honored as emerging act of the year.
Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats were honored with album of the year for their LP South of Here, which included songs such as “Heartless” and “Call Me (Whatever You Like).” They were presented with the accolade by Carlile, who is gearing up for the release of her album Returning to Myself in October.
John C. Reilly hosted the evening, while John Fogerty presented the spirit of Americana free speech in music award to Jesse Welles. Welles is known for his witty musical distilling of his clear-eyed observations on the world, and has released albums including With The Devil and Devil’s Den.
Fogerty then closed out the evening with renditions of Creedence Clearwater Revival classics including “Up Around the Bend,” “Lookin’ Out My Back Door” and “Proud Mary.” Meanwhile, Emmylou Harris and Daniel Lanois reprised Harris’ landmark Wrecking Ball project with a rendition of “May This Be Love.”
Throughout the evening, Buddy Miller led the Americana All-Star Band, which included Don Was, The McCrary Sisters, Fred Eltringham, Jen Gunderman, Jim Hoke and Larry Campbell.
The evening featured a top-notch lineup of performances from Dawes, Welch and Rawlings, Emmylou Harris, I’m With Her, JD McPherson, Reilly, Joy Oladokun, Maggie Antone, Maggie Rose, Margo Price, Medium Build, Rateliff, Noeline Hofmann and Old 97’s.
The Old 97’s, Joe Henry and Darrell Scott were recipients of the Americana lifetime achievement honor, presented by Rosanne Cash, Rodney Crowell and Hayes Carll, respectively. The McCrary Sisters were honored with the legacy of Americana award in partnership with the National Museum of African American Music; the honor was presented by NMAAM board member and producer Shannon Sanders.
Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association and Foundation, said in a statement, “What a great night! We saw the breadth of the Americana community and spirit. This legacy has stood strong for over two decades and will continue for many more to come.”
The awards show took place during the annual AmericanaFest, which runs from Sept. 9 to 13.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 14:35:462025-09-11 14:35:46Sierra Ferrell, I’m With Her & More Lead Americana Honors & Awards Winners
Sandbox Succession has signed the Roy Orbison estate for exclusive management. The legacy division of Sandbox Entertainment will manage the estate with Orbison’s sons — Wesley, Alex and Roy Jr. — who had been handling their father’s affairs.
“Roy Orbison is an American icon whose music and reflections of love and life are woven into the fabric of pop culture,” said Josh Matas, president of Sandbox Succession, in a statement. “It is an honor to further that legacy for generations to come.”
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Sandbox Succession will handle all facets of music, publishing, NIL (name, image and likeness) licensing, hospitality and film and TV projects for the legend, who was revered for his crystalline, haunting voice and dramatic, vulnerable tunes such as “Only the Lonely,” “Crying” and “In Dreams,” as well as the flirty “Oh, Pretty Woman.” Renowned for his jet black hair and dark sunglasses, Orbison was also a member of Traveling Wilburys, along with Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty.
Orbison, who died in 1988 at age 52, has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Musicians Hall of Fame. In addition to winning five Grammys, he was recognized by the Recording Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 1998.
“We the sons of Roy Orbison are very excited to work with Sandbox on continuing the legacy of our father,” said West, Alex and Roy Jr. in a statement. “Sandbox, under the leadership of Jason Owen and Josh Matas, has developed into the world’s premiere management agency and a company that we trust. We feel Roy Orbison’s timeless body of work and Sandbox’s modern capabilities are a perfect match. We can’t wait to see ‘The Big O’ grow even bigger!”
Sandbox Succession also represents the estates of Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline, as well as racing icon Richard Petty.
One of the most important storylines in country music in 2025 is the celebration of the Grand Ole Opry’s 100th anniversary.
But that milestone, which arrives Nov. 25, wouldn’t exist without another, earlier centennial: the launch of WSM-AM Nashville on Oct. 5, 1925.
Despite the passage of time, some of the same aesthetics are at work at the station in 2025 that were there when it started in 1925, according to current WSM GM/content director Eric Marcum, including a focus on hiring from within and a dedication to its technological history. Marcum made the observations during a one-hour conversation on Sept. 4 with Air Castle of the South: WSM and the Making of Music City author Craig Havighurst on Tom Truitt’s WHO KNEW The Smartest People in the Room webinar.
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Given the age of the station, the 30-something Marcum is a relative newcomer to its history, only becoming aware of it when he spotted the WSM microphone on the cover of the 2008 Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder album Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass – Tribute to 1946 & 1947.
“I’d never seen call letters for a radio station that were just three call letters,” Marcum said. “Everything I had ever heard my entire life were mostly FM at that point and four call letters. It was also at that time that I learned that anything west of the Mississippi was starting with a K. So it was my introduction, really, to radio.”
Marcum started at WSM in 2013, following his graduation from Purdue University, sharing some commonalities with George D. Hay, the station PD who founded the Opry. Both were born in Indiana, and both joined the staff in their 20s, though Hay started higher up the ladder when he arrived. In just two years, Hay had gone from WMC Memphis to WLS Chicago — where he founded The National Barn Dance and was recognized by Reader’s Digest as America’s favorite on-air personality — to WSM, joining the station exactly five weeks after its original sign-on. Hay inaugurated the Opry less than three weeks later, introducing a fiddler, Uncle Jimmy Thompson, who performed for an hour.
Hay’s two-year advance in broadcasting runs partly parallel to Marcum’s climb up the ranks at WSM. Marcum started as a board operator, progressing steadily into marketing, then traffic, before serving as assistant PD, morning-show producer and eventually GM.
“It was probably a new job title every two to three years,” Marcum said.
Eric Marcum
Courtesy of ZRG Partners
Longevity has long been encouraged at WSM. In addition to the Opry, it aired Ernest Tubb’s Midnite Jamboree — the second-longest-running radio program — for over 75 years. A number of its staffers have likewise maintained affiliations of 25 years or more, including Bill Cody (30 years), Keith Bilbrey (30), Eddie Stubbs (25), late stage manager Vito Pellettieri (43) and late Country Music Hall of Fame member Grant Turner (47).
“The way WSM and National Life [and Insurance], its parent company, operated in the golden era — in the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s — people I talked to who had worked on either side of that company talked about how much mentorship there was,” Havighurst said, drawing on the research for his book. “People stayed out of loyalty, and because they got promoted, their career development was really healthy.”
WSM’s call letters were an acronym for the National Life slogan — “We shield millions” — and the station was used to enhance the brand identity.
Radio was the first live media, and WSM also used a 150-pound portable transmitter to highlight that strength. The audience didn’t previously connect with the community in real time — news had only spread through newspapers or word of mouth — and the station employed that transmitter to broadcast the sound of the Pan American train passing through suburban Brentwood every afternoon. The new technology fascinated listeners, some of whom knew it was the end of their workday when the train whistle sounded after 5 p.m.
“Today we would think, ‘What is that? What big deal is that?’ ” Havighurst said. “But it lit people’s imaginations up. The train was symbolic and it felt vivid. It was just real radio — real, atmospheric, in-the-field radio — and it went so well… it became a daily feature on WSM for almost 10 years.”
It was one of the first — if not the first — instances of a station transmitting wireless audio to the home studio rather than using a phone cable. Other technological advancements followed, including the installation of its historic broadcast tower in 1932 and its involvements with successive platforms, including network radio, broadcast and cable TV and the internet.
“One of the great things about WSM engineers over time is everybody has known the significance of this radio station,” Marcum said. “Every engineer has left this radio station in a better shape than how they arrived. I think that’s just a fascinating thing, and I feel that weight as the general manager of the radio station, also overseeing the programming department and the sales department. You always want to leave the radio station better than how you found it.”
As WSM celebrates its centennial, the station has launched a 10-part WSM Remembers series of mostly preproduced accounts of its history. The final, live installment airs on the Oct. 5 anniversary.
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Meanwhile, WSM itself, like the Opry, has an intense mission to represent country’s big picture in its programming. Classic country, bluegrass, current artists and new acts are all represented in the programming with storytelling holding it together. Three of the four Opry announcers — Cody, Kelly Sutton and Charlie Mattos — form WSM’s morning team, which benefits from the overlap.
“There’s a 75% chance the host of our morning show would have been hosting the show the night before,” Marcum said. “They take the experience that they got watching Jelly Roll interact with a Brad Paisley, watching Post Malone interact with a Vince Gill, and they get to bring that story to the morning show and tell you exactly what you got to feel.”
Thus, WSM remains, after 100 years, the most storied station in country music’s history.
https://i0.wp.com/neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/station.nez_png.png?fit=943%2C511&ssl=1511943Yvetohttps://neztelinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/nez_png.pngYveto2025-09-11 13:37:082025-09-11 13:37:08WSM Turns 100: How One Nashville Station Leaned on Innovation to Make Radio History
