Having spent some time with Matthew in the studio, I really hate all of this for him, but also the others.

<Gaylord spokeperson Jim Brown said consolidation was ordered to improve the overall profitability of the station, and the deceision was made in an effort to promote the long-term growth and success of the station. He also commented that the station was not in any financial trouble and the format would remain the same as well as remaining home to the Grand Ole Opry.

Although good changes are good for any business, the firing of key folks within management of WSM could spell huge problems down the road for the station's ability to remain at the forefront of traditional country music. These are not, in my opinion, wise decisions, and rank with the decisions that Gaylord has made over the last several years, including destroying the Opryland theme park, building a mall to sell all rights to it away only eleven months later, selling off of TNN to New Yorkers, changing the staff and personality of the live Opry telecasts to reflect other types of music unfitting for an Opry crowd, etc.

I have been associated with Kyle Cantrill since the mid-1980's, and he was a crusader for the traditional country music that makes this station so wonderful. Eddie Stubbs now holds the place that was occupied by Kyle until his arrival, and I, in fact, remember the Classic Saturday show that Kyle did when he introduced the radio listeners to Eddie Stubbs and handed the reigns over to Eddie in September, 1997. Kyle has been an advocate for the traditional country music since his arrival at WSM in the very early 1980's. Many of you will remember that he did an all night traditional country music show in the early mornings, and was a beacon to those of us who were students of the music and studied it diligently.

Although Kyle Cantrill is gone from radio station WSM, he will not be forgotten for the wonderful things that he did for those of us who knew him.

In addition, KK Wilson, Matthew Gilliam, Johnny Koval (known as Johnny K), Allen Dennis, assistant promotion director Trish Matthews, and Kyle Cantrell's assistant and secretary Carolyn Davis are included in this round of firings from Gaylord. I am sure that each of the people that were let go have contributed to the health of WSM and the shows that it produces both on the AM station and on the FM station. Please think of each of these people in your thoughts today. These are a part of the family that I have grown up with literally, since arriving in Nashville June 1, 1983.

This also spells the possible end of the Opry Star Spotlight, heard weeknights on WSM AM and hosted by Matthew Gilliam from 9:30 to midnight. As well as Matthew, Johnny K was the announcer for the overnight hours between 12 midnight and 5 am Monday through Saturday.

These will all be missed as the contributed any good things to WSM through the last sevral years and this marks the end of yet another era that made its mark on the history of WSM.>>

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James R.Hall
MSA S10 & MSA D12

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James R.Hall
MSA S10 & MSA D12

http://www.petitiononline.com/jb650wsm/petition.html

[This message was edited by Janice Brooks on 13 January 2003 at 07:29 PM.]