You may not know it by name but you have seen it. That tall red and white diamond-shaped tower standing off Concord Road in Brentwood. Affectionately known as the "Diamond Antenna," the WSM Broadcasting Transmitter and Antenna is an engineering marvel, a cultural icon, and an important part of Nashville history responsible for bringing country music to millions since 1932.
Founded by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company, WSM (an abbreviation derived from the company's motto, "We Shield Millions") made its debut on the airwaves in 1925. What started as a platform to introduce insurance products to the public, eventually evolved into a cultural phenomenon. The WSM Barn Dance broadcast captivated listeners and soon the station was seeking ways to reach a greater audience. The solution? Build a new transmission tower.
Based on the deep bedrock needed to support the unconventional “diamond cantilever” transmission tower, the Blaw-Knox Steel Company selected the site on Concord Road. When completed in 1932, the WSM transmission tower stood 878 feet tall and was the
tallest radio tower in North America and the second tallest in the world after the Eiffel Tower. In 1939, the height was reduced to 808 feet to allow for static-free transmission broadcasts to a larger number of areas.
Ultimately, The WSM Barn Dance show was renamed to the legendary Grand Ole Opry and continued to draw visitors from across the country. Nashville became a beacon for aspiring musicians and artists with dreams of launching a successful music career under the WSM spotlight. Hundreds of country music stars can thank WSM for their beginnings and we can thank WSM for giving Nashville
the nickname “Music City USA.”
However, The WSM Tower isn’t just a star in the world of radio; it's a historical big shot too. During WWII the tower was designated as a backup emergency communication station in the event ship-to-shore communications were lost. In 1992, it was designated
as a National Historic Landmark and is one of the oldest operating broadcast towers in the U.S. as it continues broadcasting on 650 AM.
From being a record-setter in height to being a sentinel during World War II, the WSM Tower is not just an antenna; it connects people and spreads joy through music. So next time you're singing along to country tunes on the radio, take a moment to appreciate the unsung hero that's been making it possible for decades: the iconic WSM Tower.
Did you know:
- The WSM tower is 308 feet taller than the Washington Monument?
- WSM Grand Ole Opry is the longest-running live radio program in history?
- WSM’s transmission signal reaches 35 states?