# Grand Ole Opry Asks Country Fans To Help Preserve WSM’s Legacy on AM Radio

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/grand-ole-opry-asks-country-fans-to-help-preserve-wsms-legacy-on-am-radio/
- Published: 2026-07-17T15:31:29+00:00
- Original publisher: American Songwriter
- Original article: https://americansongwriter.com/grand-ole-opry-asks-country-fans-to-help-preserve-wsms-legacy-on-am-radio/
- Topics: Entertainment, Music

## Key points

- Grand Ole Opry leads campaign to mandate AM radios in all new vehicles via proposed legislation backed by 125+ organizations
- Bill addresses emergency communication, rural access, and broadcast heritage as automakers phase out AM receivers

## Summary

The Grand Ole Opry, whose century-long presence on 650 AM WSM shaped country music broadcasting, is rallying support to prevent AM radio from disappearing from new cars. Several automakers have begun removing AM receivers from vehicles, prompting the venue to champion the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act, now supported by over 60 senators and introduced to Congress in January 2025.

Proponents argue AM radio serves essential functions beyond entertainment, including emergency alerts, weather warnings, and access for rural communities with limited internet connectivity. A diverse coalition of 125+ organizations—ranging from emergency management and farmers' groups to AARP and broadcasters—backs the legislation. Under the bill, automakers that have already discontinued AM radios would be required to disclose this to consumers before purchase.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.