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Where Did Country Music Radio Originate? Would You Believe Mexico?
WSM in Nashville is a legendary country station that went on the air in 1925. But according to the linked article, on the west coast of the U.S. at least, it wasn't where country music radio originated. The author credits border blasters on the Mexican side for the origin of true country music radio, a theory I'd never heard before.
We all know Wolfman Jack worked below the border in the early stages of his career, selling a ton of fairly specious products to the folks back home. But this story argues it's also the place where legends like the Carter Family and Jimie Rodgers all got their first true exposure on air.
How unregulated radio stations out of Mexico fueled the country music boom in America
- Hansa
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Re: Where Did Country Music Radio Originate? Would You Believe Mexico?
This is a fun video on the history of XERF and its rebirth in 1982 when its transmitter was repaired after several years off the air. Wolfman Jack came by to reinaugurate the station.
Last edited by Hansa (August 25, 2023 2:26 pm)
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Re: Where Did Country Music Radio Originate? Would You Believe Mexico?
Interesting stuff! Thanks for posting.
I wasn't really old enough to know if the Mexican superstations came in well in this part of the world when they were at the height of their power.
I know I did get XERF once a long time ago and I think one more from Mexico. But other than that, I rarely pulled any of them in. I'm guessing the folks on the west coast had a lot more success.
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Thread Starter- mace
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Re: Where Did Country Music Radio Originate? Would You Believe Mexico?
I always got 1570 from Montreal at night when I was in my teens. Never anything from Mexico. Occasionally, Cuba on 640.