Bill Cody, a longtime and influential country radio host known for his decades on the Grand Ole Opry and WSM-AM’s morning show “Coffee, Country & Cody,” has died in Nashville at age 67. His death came after a recent health crisis that had prompted an outpouring of prayers from Nashville’s country music community. In late May, his daughter said he was in critical condition and would need heart and kidney transplants to survive. Family members later shared that they felt peace and gratitude for the support and prayers they received.
Cody had been a familiar voice on WSM-AM, the station that airs the Grand Ole Opry, since 1994, aside from a brief period at sister station WSM-FM in the late 1990s. Over more than three decades, he became a central figure in country radio and a trusted presence for listeners and artists alike. His morning program welcomed a wide range of country stars and became a staple for fans of the genre.
He was widely recognized for his contributions to country music broadcasting. In 2008, Cody was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame. More recently, he received a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in 2024. He was also set to be posthumously inducted into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame later this year, underscoring the lasting impact of his career.
News of his death brought tributes from major country artists and industry leaders. Garth Brooks said there may be others who loved country music deeply, but none loved it more than Bill Cody. Dierks Bentley called him one of the pillars of country music and Nashville, saying Cody’s knowledge of the genre’s history and people made him essential to the city’s musical identity. Carly Pearce remembered him as both a legend and a friend, praising his lifelong dedication to telling the story of country music. Patrick Moore, CEO of Opry Entertainment, said Cody’s voice, gravitas, and enthusiasm left a lasting mark on everyone around him.
Cody’s radio career began when he was 17, after he answered a help-wanted ad at WVLK in Lexington, Kentucky. Born Trent Clutts, he adopted the name Bill Cody in tribute to Buffalo Bill Cody, a childhood hero. His early interest in broadcasting grew from his upbringing as the son of a Southern Baptist minister in Lebanon, Kentucky, whose weekly sermons were recorded and sent to a local station for later broadcast. As a boy, Cody often visited the station and became fascinated by the behind-the-scenes world of radio.
During his time at the Opry, Cody also hosted “Opry Country Classics” and weekend Opry broadcasts. His other credits included programs for GAC, public television, and nationally syndicated radio shows. WSM said it would honor him with a special marathon of memorable moments from “Coffee, Country & Cody,” while Saturday night’s Grand Ole Opry broadcast was dedicated to his memory.
