Country singer Garth Brooks’ Sevens Network LLC has agreed to acquire adult alternative station WRLT-FM (100.1), known as Lightning 100, from Tuned In Broadcasting for $3 million, subject to Federal Communications Commission approval.
Brooks plans to use the frequency for FM-100, a country station that will feature artists from across the format’s history, from established legends to emerging talent. The station will also emphasize greater airplay for female country artists, which Brooks has described as addressing a longstanding imbalance.
“This is an opportunity to bring the entire family of country music together in one spot … the legends, the greats, and the future greats,” Brooks said in a statement announcing the agreement. “Nashville is being called ‘The Newest City in America,’ and we want to bring a new kind of communication, combining terrestrial and digital radio, built to grow with this city.”
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| Coverage Map for WRLT 100.1 FM (250 watts) |
In a separate statement on his website, Brooks said the station will feature women who helped build country music alongside today’s artists, with a spotlight on female voices dating back to the 1960s.
“We NEED both sides telling the story of country music,” Brooks said.
Beyond music, Brooks is positioning FM-100 as a service for Nashville residents, businesses and visitors, with an emphasis on local and breaking news. He said the station is not intended to compete with existing local media outlets but to promote their work and events throughout the city.
“Our job is NOT to compete with the local channels in Nashville, but to PROMOTE what they have going on,” Brooks said. “We are NOT a (music chart) reporter, we are a SERVICE to Music City and its businesses.”
Brooks also cited concerns about residents lacking timely local information during emergencies when stations rely on prerecorded national programming. He envisions FM-100 providing real-time information from live, local voices.
The longer-term ambition extends beyond Nashville. “The dream is to be a 24-hour GLOBAL station,” Brooks said, with the goal of bringing country music to parts of the world where it has yet to make significant inroads. Initially, the focus will be on serving Music City.
The idea began in 2025, when Brooks saw a social media post from Lightning 100 that read, “Save Our Station.” He initially believed the appeal for financial support was current, only to learn it dated to the COVID era. Brooks had already been seeking a station for an information-focused service for Nashville locals, visitors and tourists.
The acquisition allows both concepts to move forward. Lightning 100 will retain its format and relocate to Cromwell Media’s FM translator W292ED at 106.3 FM, with programming originating on WPRT-HD3 at 102.5 FM, once the transaction receives FCC approval and closes. Until then, it will continue on its current signal.
The deal follows the end of Brooks’ partnership with TuneIn. The collaboration, which launched in June 2023 with “The BIG 615,” concluded in September. “The Garth Channel” and “Tailgate Radio” signed off Sept. 22. “The BIG 615” will remain on TuneIn through the end of 2026 but without affiliation with Brooks or the Sevens Network.
Lightning 100 has been locally owned and operated for 36 years and is Nashville’s longest-running independent radio station. Its mix of independent, emerging and established artists has made it a fixture in the city’s music community. The station founded and produces “Live On The Green” and has received the National Association of Broadcasters’ Crystal Award twice for community service.
Brooks acknowledged that a country artist buying the frequency of an independent rock station might seem unlikely. He said the arrangement allows Lightning 100 to continue operating elsewhere on the dial while giving FM-100 a home in the middle of Nashville’s FM band.