In 1925, a radio-loving founder of National Life and Accident Insurance Company convinced the company to launch its own radio station: WSM – named after their slogan “We Shield Millions.” National Life built a small studio with a window in its downtown Nashville office, then WSM went live for the first time on October 5, 1925. A month after their first show, National Life hired George D. Hay, a prominent announcer and program director known for his National Barn Dance program at WLS in Chicago.