WSM Radio Legend Bill Cody, Longtime ‘Coffee, Country & Cody Host,’ Dies at 67
Cody was also known as a voice of the Grand Ole Opry.
Bill Cody; Photo by Andrew Wendowski
Bill Cody, the beloved voice of WSM Radio, longtime host of Coffee, Country & Cody, and a familiar voice of the Grand Ole Opry, has died, according to a post from WSM Radio. He was 67 years old.
His passing comes after an illness that had recently worsened, leading his daughter, Hannah, to ask fans for prayers as he was admitted to the ICU with heart and kidney failure.
On May 31, Hannah shared a heartfelt message asking supporters to pray that he would not experience complications from ECMO, including stroke, blood clots, or infection. She also asked for prayers that the next 48 hours on ECMO would give his body time to rest and rebuild strength, an important step in determining whether he could qualify for a transplant. She further hoped the transplant team meeting on Tuesday would find him eligible and move forward with placing him on the transplant list.
“We need a miracle and we know God is able. Please, if you’re able, stop and pray for these things,” she urged at the time.
Bill Cody was a fixture on WSM-AM for more than three decades. Listeners began their mornings with him on Coffee, Country & Cody and also came to know him through his longtime work with the Grand Ole Opry, where he frequently served as a host on the iconic stage.
“More than his accolades, Bill 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,” WSM Radio shared.
His impact on broadcasting was widely honored, including his induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame, a star on the Music City Walk of Fame, and his upcoming posthumous induction into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
In the coming days, WSM will pay tribute to Bill with a special marathon featuring memorable moments from Coffee, Country & Cody, honoring a legacy that will remain a lasting part of the station and the community.
Lauren Jo Black is a longtime country music journalist, editor, host, and media personality whose work has helped shape the conversation around country music for nearly two decades. As the current Editor-in-Chief of Country Now, she has become one of the genre’s most respected voices, interviewing hundreds of country music’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, Randy Travis, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, and countless others. Over the course of her career, Black’s written work and interviews have reached billions of country music fans worldwide. A 2009 graduate of the University of Central Florida, Black began her career by founding Country Music Is Love, one of country music’s earliest independent digital publications, which she later sold to a major record label in 2015 before it was rebranded as Sounds Like Nashville. She then served as the publication’s Editor-in-Chief for more than two years. Her work has also appeared in Forbes, and she previously served as the Country Music Expert for Answers.com. Widely recognized for her expertise, Black has appeared as a featured guest on The Bobby Bones Show, BobbyCast, and Scripps News Morning Rush, providing insight on country music’s biggest moments. She has also hosted Country Now Live, a concert series featuring performances from artists including Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Riley Green, Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch, Gabby Barrett, Brett Young, Jon Pardi, Kip Moore, Chris Young, and more. The series has welcomed thousands of fans in person while reaching millions more online. In addition, she hosted Connect With Country Now, a weekly interview series featuring conversations with rising country stars. Throughout her career, Black has earned a reputation for discovering and championing artists long before they become household names. She has covered Luke Bryan since the early days of his career, beginning when he was writing songs for other artists, including Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “Good Directions,” before stepping into the spotlight with his debut single, “All My Friends Say” and eventually becoming one of biggest names in music. She also gave Megan Moroney her first opportunity to walk a major red carpet as Country Now’s official guest correspondent at the 2022 CMA Awards. An interview she conducted in 2018 for Forbes.com with Luke Combs that inspired his multi-week No. 1 hit, “Doin’ This.” She has also hosted stages at CMA Fest, moderated an industry panel at Country Radio Seminar, and helped lead important conversations about the evolving landscape of country music media. Beyond journalism, Black has also used her platform to support charitable causes and highlight organizations making an impact. Through Country Now Live, she has helped raise awareness and support for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, while also advocating for animal rescue through Country Now’s Pupdate series, spotlighting organizations including MuttNation Foundation, Wags & Walks, and Proverbs 12:10 Animal Rescue. Black has been recognized as one of Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. She is a longtime member of both the Country Music Association (CMA) and the Academy of Country Music (ACM). After nearly 20 years covering country music, Lauren Jo Black has spent her career telling the stories behind the artists, songs, and moments that have shaped the genre. Her first-ever book, Country Music Forever: An A-to-Z Celebration of Icons, Songs and Stories, brings that same passion and firsthand knowledge to the page, celebrating not only the legendary artists and timeless songs that have become the soundtrack to generations of fans, but also the places, traditions, and cultural moments that have made country music one of the most beloved genres around the world.
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