Jeff Hoag Replacing Retiring Eddie Stubbs at WSM

Long-time and well-beloved DJ Eddie Stubbs at “The Legend” 650 AM WSM in Nashville shocked many when he recently announced his retirement from the station after 25 years of service. The voice of this generation’s love for country music on the radio for a quarter century, the 58-year-old Stubbs announced he was stepping away to spend more time enjoying life where there is still life to live.
The Stubbs departure left many open questions about who would replace him in the evening weeknight slot, and if it would even be filled by country music since format changes and show cancellations have been a regular occurrence at WSM lately. But luckily, the evening slot from 7 p.m. to midnight will endure, with current WSM DJ Jeff Hoag filling in for the Eddie Stubbs vacancy permanently from henceforth. Hoag had been manning the spot regularly for Eddie whenever he was absent, and after Stubbs hosted his final show on Wednesday, July 29th. Hoag officially takes over the spot Monday, August 3rd.
“My dream in life was to work for WSM Radio and keep the tradition of classic country music alive,” says Hoag. “The fact that I get to live my dream and carry out this mission is gratifying beyond words. Thank you for the opportunity to do what I love and to spread the glorious gospel of country music across the world.”
Similar to Eddie Stubbs, Hoag is a musician and a songwriter as well, and is respected as a country music historian. Though not as seasoned as Stubbs as he leaves, Hoag has the passion to fill those big shoes in the years to come. Similar to Stubbs, Hoag regularly works as an announcer at the Grand Ole Opry, which is broadcast by WSM. Though WSM does not have nearly the audience of many of Nashville’s mainstream stations, the historical significance of the station as one of the primary catalysts for making country music a popular American genre makes it significant.
“WSM at Night is exactly where Jeff belongs,” WSM Director of Content and Programming J. Patrick Tinnell says. “I along with the rest of his radio family, can’t wait to see how he develops his own live nightly show, while keeping a long-standing tradition of classic country at night on WSM. I know our audience will be as proud of Jeff as I am.”
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Editor’s Note: Bobby Bones is a turd.
August 3, 2020 @ 11:02 am
That editor’s note, though… do you have some previously-unreported sweet tea to spill on this matter, Trigger?
August 3, 2020 @ 11:25 am
Eh, just a playful ribbing.
August 3, 2020 @ 12:53 pm
This is about the best of a bad situation so I am not disappointed. His being a musician certainly is a plus. Looking forward to him putting his own stamp on the program.
August 3, 2020 @ 1:07 pm
Trigger,
I emailed The Hall of Fame on Wednesday about the announcement of the 2020 Hall of Fame inductees and they replied back to me on Friday and they said:
Our friends at the CMA are working on announcement plans in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Please know we will communicate plans for the future announcement as soon as we are able.
Then I emailed someone from the CMA on Saturday regarding the announcement and he replied back to me yesterday and he said:
We should be announcing in the next month or so.
What do you think?.
August 3, 2020 @ 1:11 pm
I think we’ll be waiting for an announcement. I think ideally they would love to make it from the Hall of Fame rotunda in a regular press conference, but I’m not sure how much longer they can delay.
August 10, 2020 @ 5:46 pm
I emailed them back at the end of April the same thing, and I got the same reply as you with the COVID19 crap. 4 month later,the same BS. At least make the Announcement. There might be a someone who is to receive the Induction Announcement that might die, before the make the Announcement.
And why can’t they make it 5 a year,instead of 3 ? Doesn’t make sense. Life is too short.
August 3, 2020 @ 2:54 pm
That’s fine and dandy, but will he be spinning the new Boomswagglers album?
August 3, 2020 @ 5:33 pm
Excellent choice.
August 3, 2020 @ 10:40 pm
A great choice. Wish he’d host the Opry livestreams too :V
August 4, 2020 @ 11:07 am
1st and foremost with WSM making changes, it was a wise choice on WSM’S management to choose Jeff Hoag, to keep the Country Classic format with probably a few of Jeff’s changes which should be expexted as it’s now his show.
Jeff Welcome aboard.
August 4, 2020 @ 8:52 pm
I hired Jeff at The Hawk in Binghamton, NY in the 90’s, where he hosted a classic country music show of his own. From the beginning I knew he was a special talent. Trust me, the audience that listens to the legendary WSM will not be disappointed. Jeff’s lives and breathes country music and has always respected its’ creators and masters of the format. I wish more radio talent did. I don’t know anyone who loves and appreciates the roots of country music more than Jeff. I can’t wait to hear what he does with his new show. Bravo WSM on this great programming decision and congratulations Jeff!
August 10, 2020 @ 5:48 pm
Jeff has been doing a great job, since he started at WSM. We can’t expect him to be Eddie Stubbs, he is who he is. He plays some great stuff. I’m Thankful.
August 11, 2020 @ 1:09 pm
Oh thank goodness! I just posted on the Eddie retirement post that I thought they were done, but this gives me some hope!