Bristol TN Radio: BCM To Launch Low-Power FM

The Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) announced today the launch of a new radio station, WBCM 103.5 LP-FM Radio Bristol. Debuting this summer, the new station will broadcast from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and will focus primarily on American roots music, including bluegrass, old-time, Americana, and country music.

“WBCM Radio Bristol is an exciting new way that we can share our music heritage as the birthplace of country music with listeners worldwide,” said Leah Ross, executive director of the Birthplace of Country Music.  “Following the years of success of Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion music festival and the opening of the Birthplace of Country Music Museum last fall, this new radio station will allow us to promote Bristol to audiences year-round, as well as provide up-and-coming artists a new platform to be heard.”

WBCM 103.5 LP-FM

WBCM will also provide an online media center where listeners have the opportunity to stream WBCM through the BirthplaceofCountryMusic.org website and a mobile app.  The station will include three streams: a Classic Stream – playing a variety of old-time, bluegrass and country music; an  Americana Stream – highlighting a diverse selection of contemporary artists, as featured at the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion; and a Live Stream – WBCM’s terrestrial station playing live original programming focusing on local and regional music and culture.

WBCM will broadcast from the Birthplace of Country Music Museum in a studio that is equipped with historic vintage gear, restored to meet the modern needs of a fully functional radio station. The studio will also be a working exhibit for museum visitors to experience a radio broadcast firsthand.

In preparing to launch WBCM – Radio Bristol this summer, BCM has hired veteran radio professional Tony Lawson to guide the launch and day-to-day running of the station. Lawson founded the award-winning WDVX Radio in Knoxville and joined the BCM team in April.