Veteran radio executive Tom English is back in the business less than a year after leaving his post atop Clear Channel's local station group.

English has been named general manager of WSM-AM, the country station owned by Gaylord Entertainment and the home of Grand Ole Opry broadcasts. English replaces Mike Ford, who has left the station after less than two years in charge. English, who has more than three decades of experience, left Clear Channel in May of last year after eight years as its Nashville market manager. During his time with Clear Channel in Nashville, English also was director of sales and regional vice president of its Nashville Trading Zone, which also covers stations in Chattanooga, Cookeville and Dalton, Ga.