Back to the Barn on 650 AM WSM

Nashville, Tenn. — A brand new barn dance of sorts is heading to the WSM-AM 650 airwaves.

WSM is the Nashville, Tenn., radio station that’s gained fame over the decades with its exclusive broadcasts of the Grand Ole Opry. And, it still continues to broadcast the world famous Opry, which has become the longest running live radio show in the world.

WSM is hoping to duplicate the Opry’s success and longevity with a brand new kid on the block, a live variety show called “Back to the Barn,” which will debut Feb. 20.

“Back to the Barn,” however, won’t be exclusively country or bluegrass, as is the Opry. It will include those two genres, but also showcase a wide variety of artists and music forms. While the Opry has many Baby Boomer listeners who are now in their 60s and 70s, “Back to the Barn” will try to target a younger market. It will be broadcast live on Friday nights from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. from the stage of the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville.

“‘Back to the Barn‘ showcases Nashville’s astonishing music scene, from country and Americana to more progressive interpreters of tradition — a ‘roots and branches’ format that brings together fans of different tastes and generations,” according to a statement from the radio station.

The live show, said the station, will be “old school entertainment for the digital age,” referring to the fact “Back to the Barn” will be filmed and streamed over wsmonline.com.

“Back to the Barn” gets its name from the Grand Ole Opry’s first name, the WSM Barn Dance.

“WSM is country music to a global audience, not just as the keeper of the traditional flame, but as a trusted tastemaker that looks to the future of country music in all its forms and sub-genres: bluegrass, folk, alternative, western, rockabilly and crossovers into rock, jazz and world music,” the station said in a news release. “There has never been a time of greater variety, abundance and quality in Nashville’s creative community, and ‘Back to the Barn‘ puts that talent on a worldwide stage.”

Each broadcast will feature 6-8 artist in 15-30 minute segments. It will be hosted by WSM on-air personalities Bill Cody, Keith Bilbrey, Mike Terry, and Eddie Stubbs.

Other guests hosts will participate as well. WSM is pursuing a global initiative to partner with international country radio stations all over the world to bring “Back to the Barn” to their loyal listeners.