WMOT, MTSU’s 100,000-watt public radio station, is changing its programming to reach a larger audience with a new format dedicated to Americana music, as well as a new home for its current jazz format. On Sept. 2, the station will be known as WMOT-FM/Roots Radio 89.5 and will become the region’s only channel devoted to the fusion of bluegrass, folk, soul, country and blues music commonly known in the music industry as Americana. The station, which has formally partnered with Nashville roots variety show Music City Roots, will remain a training ground for MTSU students interested in pursuing and integrating audio editing and narration skills into their portfolios. The station’s stable of air personalities will include staff from Music City Roots, the Grand Ole Opry and the Center for Popular Music at MTSU, with CPM director Greg Reish set to host a weekly “Lost Sounds” show drawing on the archives with historic context.

The previous jazz format will move to 92.3 FM.