Country Music Loses a Pillar: Bill Cody Dies at 67

Bill Cody, a beloved fixture on WSM radio and a frequent announcer for the Grand Ole Opry, has passed away at the age of 67. His death followed a prolonged struggle with kidney and heart failure. For more than 30 years, Cody was the warm, conversational voice on 'Coffee, Country & Cody,' a morning show that became a touchstone for country music fans. He joined WSM in 1994, quickly establishing himself as a trusted presence. His early career started at just 12 years old, and over the years, he interviewed a wide array of notable figures, including actors and former presidents. However, it was his genuine rapport with country music artists that truly defined his legacy, leading to his induction into the Country Music DJ and Radio Hall of Fame in 2008. Cody's passion for country music was deeply rooted in his childhood, inspired by stories of Opry legends. He began his radio career in Lebanon, Kentucky, eventually moving to Nashville to pursue his dream job at WSM. Beyond his morning show, he was an integral part of live Opry broadcasts and served as an ambassador for the institution, even emceeing from the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival in 2018. Fellow artists, like Dierks Bentley, remembered Cody as a significant "pillar" of the country music community, emphasizing his profound love for the genre and its history. Cody shared his life with his wife Rebecca, whom he married in 1980.