Brentwood's WSM Radio Tower: the Diamond Antenna
The WSM Tower in Brentwood, TN
Brentwood's Diamond Antenna may not sparkle or shine, but it's certainly one of a kind.
The WSM Tower, nicknamed the “diamond” antenna, was built in 1932 to broadcast the Grand Ol' Opry, the longest-running radio show in history. But its claim to fame came mainly from its unique shape – a diamond. And standing at 878 feet tall, this diamond was the tallest tower in America at the time it was built.
Though it has long since lost its height record, it still holds the title of the only clear channel tower that broadcasts music instead of news/talk formated programs. Even without its records, the tower has become a symbol of Brentwood and its long history, and both its part in the country music industry as well as the building of the city itself.
Standing tall at the intersection of I-65 and Concord Road, the now 808-foot tower (knocked down 70 feet since its original construction) continues to provide tunes and tribute to the city. The tower's broadcast signal can be picked up across much of North America on AM 650. The signal is strongest at night. To solidify its place in Tennesse history, the tower was incorporated into the new Country Music Hall of Fame's design in 2001.
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