Witness Living Country History at the “Behind the Airwaves” Exhibit

For nearly 100 years, WSM has not only been the most famed country music station in the world, but the radio home of the Grand Ole Opry. With its recent move to Opry Plaza, visitors can now go “Behind the Airwaves” at the Roy Acuff House.

The Behind the Airwaves exhibit showcases the history of WSM and its importance of putting country music on the map. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the early days of “The Air Castle of the South,” through the station’s expansion through the 1960’s, up to today’s operations with 50,000 watts of power reaching much of North America. Some of the classic artifacts you’ll see exclusively at this experience include:

• Remote broadcasting technology: From the first remote unit used in the 1930’s and 40’s to broadcast the first radio show from a moving train to a modern 3G remote broadcast unit used to keep the Opry on the air after the historic Nashville flood in 2010, you’ll see how WSM kept operations running smoothly in the field.
• Roy Acuff’s “On Air” sign: The sign was originally used to let staff know when Studio C was on the air at the original home of WSM. It was ultimately given to Acuff in 1983, when it was installed in his dressing room.
• The instruments of the Opry: When Opry announcer George D. Hay first called WSM Barn Dance the “Grand Ole Opry,” Fiddlin’ Sid Harkreader played his fiddle directly afterward. That fiddle is on display, as well as a harmonica pipe organ played by DeFord Bailey.
• The microphones of WSM: Recording technology has significantly changed over time, and you’ll see that progression through our collection of microphones used at WSM.
• Video tour of the WSM Tower and Transmitter Building: Take an exclusive video tour of the historic Tower and Transmitter Building, located in Brentwood, TN. Built-in 1932, this complex continues to broadcast WSM Radio and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

Visitors can get an inside look at WSM’s on-air operations by strolling past the studio’s front window, where one can catch on-air interviews and watch WSM personalities in action throughout the day. The window offers a full view of the studio and is accessible daily on the Opry Plaza.

See the Behind the Airwaves exhibit with the purchase of an Opry Backstage Daytime Tour ticket daily from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM*. Get your tickets to see this innovative piece of living history during your Opry tour.

 

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*Be sure to check out the tour schedule as times are subject to change.