Garth Brooks To Launch Nashville Country Station ‘FM-100.’

Garth Brooks is entering the radio ownership business, with his Sevens Network, LLC agreeing to acquire adult alternative “Lightning 100” WRLT-FM (100.1) Nashville from Tuned In Broadcasting. The $3 million transaction is subject to Federal Communications Commission approval.

Brooks plans to use the frequency to launch “FM-100,” a country station that will bring together artists from across the format’s history, from established legends to emerging talent. The station also plans to give female country artists greater exposure, addressing what Brooks describes as a longstanding imbalance in country radio airplay.

“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 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.”

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 its music programming, “FM-100” is being positioned as a service to Nashville residents, businesses and visitors, with an emphasis on local and breaking news. Brooks said the station isn’t intended to compete with existing Nashville media outlets, but rather to promote their work and what is happening 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 pointed to concerns about residents being left without timely local information during emergencies when stations rely on prerecorded national programming. He envisions “FM-100” as a place where listeners can get 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, however, the focus will be on serving Music City.

The idea reportedly began in 2025, when Brooks came across a social media post from Lightning 100 that read, “Save Our Station.” Variety reports that he initially believed the appeal for financial support was current, only to learn it dated back to the COVID era. Brooks had already been looking for a station to support an information-focused service for Nashville locals, visitors and tourists.

The acquisition creates a path for 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 broadcasting on its current signal.

The acquisition of WRLT follows the ending of Brooks’ relationship with TuneIn. In September, the partnership with the streaming platform that launched in June 2023 with “The BIG 615” came to an end. “The Garth Channel” and “Tailgate Radio” signed off on Sept. 22. “The BIG 615” will remain on TuneIn through the end of 2026 but will drop its affiliation with Brooks and 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 helped make it a fixture in the city’s music community. The station also 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 like an unlikely pairing. However, he says 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.