For the radio station which held the WRLT callsign from 1984 to 1985, see WKRR. For the radio station which held the WRLT callsign from 1986 to 1988, see WGRF.
Previously failing in modern country and rock formats, the current format was adopted in the mid-1980s under the leadership of Ned Horton. Since then, the format has been "tweaked" on numerous occasions.
WRLT's playlist is an eclectic mix of artists, up-and-coming singer/songwriters, and other current music. Artists as varied as My Morning Jacket, Led Zeppelin, Beck and Brett Dennen can be heard on the station. Lightning 100 was the first station in the Music City to play artists such as Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow and Dave Matthews Band. The station, highly unusual for contemporary-era commercial stations in the U.S., has demonstrated a considerable dedication to live programming.
Programming highlights include the "Lightning Request" lunch hour, the615 each Monday evening (featuring unsigned bands that call Nashville home), the Indie Underground Hour on Thursday nights, and Lightning 100 Unplugged on Sunday mornings.
In 2006, WRLT launched the syndicated talk radio show Music Business Radio, hosted by music marketing expert, consultant, and author David Hooper, and features interviews with various industry professionals giving the listener their insight and expertise into the recording business, particularly Nashville's segment of it.
WRLT is also home to community outreach and special events through Team Lightning (rebranded from Team Green Adventures in late 2017), an outdoor adventure group with a mission to increase awareness about the environment, health, and community through adventure, and Live on the Green, a free music festival on the plaza at the Metro Nashville Courthouse during September, highlighting local artists and businesses.
