Nashville Radio Station WSM Heads ‘Back to the Barn’

I’m really interested to hear how the new WSM show turns out, although it does conflict with “Battlestar Gallactica” for the next nine weeks or so out here on the West Coast. The WSM staffers behind the program will have total freedom booking acts, unlike at the Opry where Pete Fisher and Opry traditions rule with an iron fist. The choice of Amber Digby to be a guest on the premiere episode speaks volumes about the breadth of artists they intend to feature, and I’m sure Eddie Stubbs had a lot to do with that. Hopefully Ashley Monroe, Elizabeth Cook, Sunny Sweeney, and The Wrights won’t be far behind.

First it was Hag writing a song praising Shrillary Rotten Clinton and now he’s been inspired by Emperor Obama. He’s making it increasingly difficult for me to listen to any of his music. Thanks, Merle….

I think Keith Urban sould name his new album “Defying Slumping Country Music Album Sales” as his fans are particularly devoted.

Many country artists start out with music based in traditional roots and move further away towards pop and rock over time to appeal to radio and a wider audience. Dierks Bentley in contrast seems to be heading back in the other direction. Good on ya Dierks.

In the Hag’s defense, there’s really not a lot of difference between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama politically. They share many of the same views on policy. So I don’t see it as any kind of ship-jumping or being wishy-washy on Merle’s part.

And when did Obama become emperor?

For the WSM trollers or others who might know:

Does the institution of “Back to the Barn” mean the end of “WSM by Request” with Eddie Stubbs? If so, that’s a shame, because as much as some might enjoy “Back to the Barn,” “WSM by Request” is undoubtedly the best program on country radio and it would be a devastating loss for fans of traditional country music.

Peter, you sure hit the nail on the head with that comment…(lol)

Matt C., I’m hoping that Eddie’s request show just gets moved to another night as it does dig up some really obscure gems. I’ve made some requests at the start of that show a few times and I don’t think Eddie’s ever played any of them! He must have a personal grudge against The Willis Brothers as I don’t think requesting “Give Me 40 Acres” is a bad choice. Oh well…

Amber Digby is excited about the coverage The 9513 is giving to WSM’s “Back To The Barn” in this topic thread! She posted a new MySpace Blog today and hope it signals a welcome mat in Nashville for traditionalists like herself. Go Amber!

Link: http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendID=99492417&blogID=465701068

(PS – She also posted a new blog about being in “active songwriter” mode today. Go Amber, Go!)

Hope that “Back To The Barn” will be archived like the Opry is – it’ll be on a bit too late for me in Scotland!