WSIX-FM

Infobox Radio Station
city = Nashville, Tennessee
name = WSIX-FM


area = Nashville, Tennessee (FM)
branding = The Big 98
slogan =
airdate = | 1960s
frequency = 97.9 (MHz) HD Radio
97.9-2 FM "(WSIXtra New)" for New Country
format = Country
erp = 100,000 watts
class = C0
callsign_meaning = 638 ("SIX") Tire Company
(home of original WSIX-AM)
sister_stations = WLAC, WNRQ, WRVW, & WUBT
owner = Clear Channel Communications
website = [http://www.wsix.com/main.html www.wsix.com]
facility_id = 59815
haat = 349 meters
coordinates = coord|36|02|50.00|N| 86|49|48.00|W|region:US_type:city
licensee = Capstar TX Limited Partnership|

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.

History

Countrypolitan

Originally the sister station of a similarly-styled AM station (now WFYN-AM, which simulcasts the Bible Broadcasting Network'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 violins and other stringed instruments (and occasionally horns) to the traditionally fiddle- and guitar-driven sound of country music. During those years (roughly the late 1960s 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.

In 1983, then-owners General Electric 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).

XM Simulcast

From May 1, 2006 to August 8, 2008, WSIX-FM was simulcast on XM Satellite Radio (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.

TAFF

* Operations Manager Rich Davis
* Program Director Keith Kaufman
* Promotions Director

AIR STAFF

The current lineup is as follows
* Morning Show: Gerry House & The House Foundation - Gerry House, Mike Bohan, Al Voecks,
Duncan Stewart & Richard Falklen
* Mid-Days: Newman
* Afternoon Drive: Big D and Bubba
* Nighttime: Slam Duncan
* Overnights: After Mid-Nite with Blair Garner

Links

*fmq|WSIX
*FML|WSIX
*FMARB|WSIX

ee also

*List of Nashville media