It was announced earlier this week that former Grand Ole Opry general manager Bob Whittaker had passed away. Bob became Vice-President and General Manager of the Opry in September 1993, replacing Hal Durham. In 1996 he was promoted to the position of President of the Grand Ole Opry Group of Gaylord Entertainment. In that position, he continued in charge of the Opry. In September 1998, Bob announced his retirement.
Bob was the last of the Opry general managers who came up through the ranks of WSM, Opryland or Gaylord Entertainment. Bob loved the Opry and was a very active part of the show. Many nights, Bob would come out and sing with the Carol Lee Singers, especially if it was a gospel song. Not only was Bob a fan of gospel music, but he also was a fan of bluegrass. In fact, when Bill Monroe's historic home came up for auction, Bob, on behalf of Gaylord, purchased the property and after Bill passed, would reside on the property.
Continuing the trend that began with Hal Durham, Bob added a number of acts to the Opry's cast. Those included Joe Diffie, Hal Ketchum, Brother Oswald, Martina McBride, Steve Wariner, Johnny Paycheck and Diamond Rio.
It was Bob Whittaker who began the new tradition of surprising artists with an offer of Opry membership while the artist was making a guest appearance on the Opry, with the actual induction to follow at a later date. Johnny Paycheck was the first, and many others followed.
In the book 100 Years of Grand Ole Opry, written by Craig Shelburne, he wrote that after falling on a business trip to Florida, Bob made the decision to retire and moved onto his farm, and offered to be a consultant for the show.
"I never got a call," Whittaker said. '"but I'm retired because of my health, and I also saw a change in the direction. I was too much a traditionalist, and a fan of the legends, to continue with what I thought was going to happen. And it did. And that's OK."
Bob was replaced as President of the Grand Ole Opry group by Steve Buchanan, who appointed Pete Fisher as the General Manager of the Opry. And we all know, the changes Bob feared, took place under Steve and Pete's watch.
I had the privilege of meeting Bob once which was well after he left the Opry. While it was not a long conversation, I enjoyed seeing him and I told him how much I had enjoyed his time at the Opry. He thanked me for remembering who he was.
Then last night came the news that WSM personality and Grand Ole Opry announcer Bill Cody had passed away. While the news was not a total surprise, it still came as a shock that he had passed away.
Here is the official release from the Opry this morning:
It is with great sorrow that we share the passing of beloved radio host Bill Cody, a singular voice on WSM-AM Nashville for 32 years. He passed away peacefully today, June 9, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was 67.
With a broad smile and a conversational tone, Bill Cody had an unerring ability to make artists and listeners feel comfortable and welcome. Since 1994, he led WSM-AM’s flagship morning show, Coffee, Country & Cody, and developed the concept into a series on the Circle Network. In addition, Cody routinely served as host of the Grand Ole Opry, including the long-running Opry Country Classics.
His many other hosting credits included Master Series for Great American Country, Tennessee's Wild Side on public television, and the syndicated radio shows Classic Country Weekend With Bill Cody and Pure American Country. In the late 1990s Cody hosted mornings on WSM-FM before returning to the AM dial in 2000. He was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 2008, received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2024, and will be posthumously inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame in 2026.
Cody’s father, a Southern Baptist preacher in Lebanon, Kentucky, recorded his sermons every Sunday, then dropped off the cassette tape at the local radio station WLBN to be played in the afternoon. Cody, at 12 years old, found the visits to the radio station so fascinating that his father arranged for him to spend time there occasionally, seeing the magic of broadcasting up close.
His father grew up listening to the Grand Ole Opry and passed the love for the radio show on to his son. On a family trip from Kentucky to northern Alabama, where his father was from, the boy gazed out the car window as they passed by the Nashville skyline and wondered what it would be like to work and live in such a place.
Cody found a creative outlet through high school drama, telling Country Aircheck it was “a great catalyst for self-confidence, working a live audience, thinking on your feet and interacting with other people – the kind of teamwork you have doing mornings.”
During a 1971 visit to Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, he noticed a job posting for a deejay at Lexington station WVLK. He applied in person and got the job, working from 7 pm. to midnight. At the request of his new boss, the 17-year-old dropped his given name, Trent Clutts, and adopted the name Bill Cody in honor of one of his childhood heroes, “Buffalo Bill” Cody. He’d go on to work at WHAS and WCII in Louisville, Kentucky, WHOO in Orlando, Florida, and KKYX in San Antonio, Texas.
Bill Cody joined the staff at WSM on April 25, 1994, and brought in Charlie Daniels as his first in-studio guest. Over the next three decades, Cody forged innumerable friendships through his roles at WSM.
Cody will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and genuine gift for connection. He was a trusted voice, a generous friend, and a constant companion to generations of listeners.
The Grand Ole Opry will dedicate the Saturday night show to Cody.
Charlie Mattos, co-host/producer/WSM-AM, Coffee, Country & Cody:
“From superstar artists to coworkers to a listener he was meeting for the very first time, Bill Cody was a friend to us all. His passion, knowledge, and love of country music were unrivaled. A true icon in our business, it has been the privilege of a lifetime to share the microphone with him and call him a friend.”
Kelly Sutton, co-host/WSM-AM, Coffee, Country & Cody:
“Bill Cody and I instantly became friends 20 years ago and we became co-workers 5 years ago. I’ve watched him make artists feel at ease, comfort people who are hurting, champion new music and songwriters and simply fill up the room with joy. No one had a bigger laugh, a brighter smile or gave better hugs. I was so very lucky to have him as a mentor and a friend. We will always love you Bill.”
Carly Pearce, Grand Ole Opry Member:
“Bill Cody devoted his life to telling the story of country music. With a legacy spanning decade, he will be marked as one of the greatest of all time. For me, he was so much more than that. He was my friend. He will be so very missed on this side of heaven, but I rejoice knowing he is with our Heavenly Father.”
Garth Brooks, Grand Ole Opry Member:
“There might be someone somewhere in the world who loved Country Music as much, but nobody loved Country Music more than Bill Cody.”
Dierks Bentley, Grand Ole Opry Member:
"Country Music has lost one of its pillars. Bill was just as important to the fabric of our music and city as any artist, songwriter or musician. No one loved Country Music, its history and its characters more than Bill Cody. Prayers to his family and Charlie and Kelly and everyone that knew and loved him at WSM and the Opry."
Colin Reed, Executive Chairman of the Board - Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.:
“Bill was an incredible spokesperson for country music and the Grand Ole Opry. Bill was also my friend, and we shared so many special moments together as we expanded the reach of both the Grand Ole Opry and WSM. His legacy will live on forever.”
Patrick Moore, CEO, Opry Entertainment Group:
“Everyone at the Grand Ole Opry, in country music, in Nashville - and across the country - will remember Bill for his profound gravitas, his incredible voice, and his positive and infectious enthusiasm for country music. For those of us who were lucky enough to work with Bill as a colleague, he brightened every single day and changed our lives for the better. Bill will be sorely missed. Rest in Peace, Trent from Gravel Switch."
All across social media today, and on WSM radio, there are tributes being paid to Bill. He was an icon who lived his dream. Much like Grant Turmer, Bill devoted himself to WSM and to the Opry. And he enjoyed it all.
From a personal standpoint, I can't believe that he was around WSM and the Opry for over 30 years. Just another example on how time flies.
In all the years of seeing Bill at the Opry, and in passing him backstage, I actually was formally introduced to him just one time. It was a brief interaction, nothing special.
2026 hasn't been kind to the Opry. First Don Schlitz and now Bill Cody. As has been mentioned by just about everyone else, Bill will be missed and remembered in a kind way.
I could write more but I will leave that to those who knew Bill much better than I did.
God Speed Bill Cody.
Excellent tributes.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sad time.
J in OK