Dierks Bentley photo courtesy of Capitol Nashville.

No, they’re not leaving their “day jobs” as country artists, but Dierks Bentley, Pam Tillis and Jim Lauderdale will moonlight as deejays for Nashville’s legendary radio station, 650 AM WSM. On March 15 the station will kick off a series of new midday shows hosted by various award-winning artists. 

The three weekly one-hour shows hosted by Dierks, Pam and Jim will air Monday – Wednesday at 2 p.m. CT.  The shows can also be heard online at http://www.wsmonline.com/ or as podcasts via iTunes.

You’re not likely to hear a strict “Top 40″-type playlist on the shows — these will be songs that the artists want to play, so expect a nice mix of country, bluegrass and Americana music. There may also be in-studio guests and jam sessions.

You can hear Dierks’ Monday show, “The Thread,” followed on Tuesdays by fellow CMA honoree, Pam, and her “Lettin’ My Roots Show.”  Jim, a Grammy and Americana Music Association award-winner, takes Wednesday duties with “The Jim Lauderdale Show.”

Thursdays will be shared by various artists, with Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor guest hosting the first Thursday show on March 18, and Diamond Rio’s Dana Williams following on March 25.

“650 AM WSM is a country music institution,” says Dierks. “I can’t believe they are turning the controls over to me for an hour every week. It’s the most fun I’ve had in a long time.”

“I’m so happy to have this show on the mighty WSM,” adds Jim. “It is a thrill and an honor!”

“We look forward to having these diverse artists as part of the station line-up,” WSM Operations Manager Joe Limardi said. “It’ll be exciting to listen to them taking their turn on the other side of the microphone, stepping into the shoes of renowned station DJs that have filled the airwaves for 85 years. WSM continues to be on the cutting edge of programming like no other radio station in the country through digital media and an expanded playlist to encompass ‘all things country.’”

ShareThis