WSIX-FM
Encyclopedia
WSIX-FM is an FM radio station broadcasting in Nashville, Tennessee
on a frequency of 97.9 MHz. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications
. It has been broadcasting since the late 1950s.
's religious programming), WSIX-FM pioneered the broadcasting in Nashville (and likely elsewhere in the U.S.) of the "countrypolitan" "Nashville sound
" of country music, which developed in the 1960s, adding violin
s and other stringed instruments (and occasionally horns) to the traditionally fiddle
- and guitar
-driven sound of country music
. During those years (beginning in 1967 until the late 1970s) WSIX-FM used the tagline, "We're metropolitan country." As such, WSIX-FM became one of the first successful country-formatted stations on the FM dial in the U.S.; country stations were overwhelmingly found on AM until well into the early 1980s.
sold the AM and FM stations, along with WNGE-TV (now WKRN), to other interests. Around that time, the stations' (both were simulcasting by this point) format turned to a more straightforward country sound (i.e., honkey tonk and "Outlaw
" recordings that previously did not fit the more mellow, quieter playlist).
(channel 161). The satellite feed typically had roughly 3–4 minutes of commercials per hour. A song that was not on the station's playlist at the moment would play during commercial breaks as well.
As of June 8, 2011, WSIX-FM has returned to the XM platform, replacing "Nashville" on XM57.
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
on a frequency of 97.9 MHz. It is owned by Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications
Clear Channel Communications, Inc. is an American media conglomerate company headquartered in San Antonio, Texas. It was founded in 1972 by Lowry Mays and Red McCombs, and was taken private by Bain Capital LLC and Thomas H. Lee Partners LP in a leveraged buyout in 2008...
. It has been broadcasting since the late 1950s.
Countrypolitan
Originally the sister station of a similarly-styled AM station (now WYFN which simulcasts the Bible Broadcasting NetworkBible Broadcasting Network
The Bible Broadcasting Network is a listener-supported global Christian radio network staffed and headquartered in Charlotte, NC. The programming consists of 50% outside ministries, 30% music and 20% BBN produced programs...
's religious programming), WSIX-FM pioneered the broadcasting in Nashville (and likely elsewhere in the U.S.) of the "countrypolitan" "Nashville sound
Nashville sound
The Nashville sound originated during the late 1950s as a sub-genre of American country music, replacing the chart dominance of honky tonk music which was most popular in the 1940s and 1950s...
" of country music, which developed in the 1960s, adding violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
s and other stringed instruments (and occasionally horns) to the traditionally fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
- and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
-driven sound of country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
. During those years (beginning in 1967 until the late 1970s) WSIX-FM used the tagline, "We're metropolitan country." As such, WSIX-FM became one of the first successful country-formatted stations on the FM dial in the U.S.; country stations were overwhelmingly found on AM until well into the early 1980s.
The Big 98 Era
In 1983, then-owners General ElectricGeneral Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
sold the AM and FM stations, along with WNGE-TV (now WKRN), to other interests. Around that time, the stations' (both were simulcasting by this point) format turned to a more straightforward country sound (i.e., honkey tonk and "Outlaw
Outlaw country
Outlaw country is a subgenre of country music, most popular during the late 1960s and the 1970s , sometimes referred to as the outlaw movement or simply outlaw music...
" recordings that previously did not fit the more mellow, quieter playlist).
XM Simulcast
From May 1, 2006 to August 8, 2008, WSIX-FM was simulcast on XM Satellite RadioXM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
(channel 161). The satellite feed typically had roughly 3–4 minutes of commercials per hour. A song that was not on the station's playlist at the moment would play during commercial breaks as well.
As of June 8, 2011, WSIX-FM has returned to the XM platform, replacing "Nashville" on XM57.
Current Air-Staff
The current lineup (as of January 3, 2011) is as follows- Morning Show (5 a.m - 10 a.m): Billy Greenwood, Karla Lawson & Zak Becker
- Mid-days (10 a.m - 3 p.m): Dean Warfield
- Afternoon Drive (3 p.m - 7 p.m): Big D & Bubba
- Nighttime (7 p.m - 12 a.m): Ty Bentli
- Overnights (12 a.m - 5 a.m): After Mid-Nite w/ Blair Garner