While you may recognize the iconic red and white diamond-shaped radio tower on Concord Road, you might not know how deeply intertwined it is with music history.
WSM first hit the airwaves on October 5, 1925. Less than two months later, its most legendary show—the Grand Ole Opry—was born.
By 1932, WSM constructed the WSM Broadcast Tower at a whopping 878 feet tall, making it the tallest structure in America at the time. This radio tower carried the sounds of the Grand Ole Opry far and wide. In 1939, its height was adjusted to 808 feet to improve static-free transmission, ensuring crystal-clear country music for listeners nationwide.
Like moths to a flame, musicians flocked to Nashville, hoping for a chance to perform at the Grand Ole Opry—all thanks to the reach of this historic tower.
On March 15, 2011, the WSM Tower was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places, securing its place in Music City’s legacy and American history.
So next time you're cruising down Concord Road with your favorite country song on full blast, take a moment to notice and appreciate the WSM Tower.