XM Radio change in direction

Kenneth Kotsay · Post by **Kenneth Kotsay** » 7 May 2011 11:05 am

I just purchased a full year of XM radio for the purpose of having 2 separate stations, Willie's Place & the Roadhouse, now that they combined both, looks like I got 11 more months left and it's good bye XM Radio. The changes they made sucks in my opinion. I do listen to the 50's & 60's but my main stations were Willi's & R.H.

Does the Nashville money hungry elite have somthing to do with it, get tradional country & western music off the the radio, they did it with T.V.

Guess what I no longer watch CMT or listen to FM radio country music, I don't even know who's, who's in Nashville Music world anymore, my bucks travel to Texas for good old Honky Tonky Country Music CD's.
Those shuffles songs kill me, ton's of steel & fiddle, and the artist are out of this world, move over Nashville, Texas is about to blow ya away.

Ken

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 7 May 2011 1:33 pm

...cynical so-and-so that I am...I remember where I was the first time I saw and heard an XM radio...it was tuned in to"Hank's Place"and I was sitting in the back seat of a friend's pickup truck backstage at an outdoor festival in Wisconsin...I heard two or three shuffles in a row and a Gary Stewart record and thought to myself"somebody will mess this up pretty quick"...

I decided to try to find all of the stuff they played(I already had about 75 percent of it)so I'd have it when it started to change...I'm covered!

It's out there...you just gotta look.

It lasted way longer than I thought it would...

I was thinking about bailing anyway...

Ben Rubright · Post by **Ben Rubright** » 7 May 2011 2:02 pm

I certainly can keep myself entertained since I have all of Johnny's, Darrell's, Ambers, Bobby's, Jake's, Leona's, Heather's, etc, etc CD's......what irks me is that they no longer have a national outlet for their music to attract and show the new generation what real country music is all about. You are right Steve, it lasted longer than I thought it would as well.....but let's keep bombarding them with what we feel.

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 7 May 2011 2:26 pm

I'm so cynical that I never bothered with satellite radio for myself. I hear XM/Sirius from time to time - my wife has it in her car - and I think this was inevitable. The roots formats have been diluting for some time now. Economic retrenchment virtually guarantees that the tails of the popularity distributions will continue to be cut tighter and tighter.

Like Steve, I'm frankly amazed it lasted as long as it did. Maybe complaining loudly will help for a while. But at a certain level, I think trying to push non-mainstream music into the mainstream media is like trying to push water upstream.

I think "classic country" music needs to work its way from the bottom up again, as bluegrass successfully did. Bluegrass never lost its roots and identity, and I don't think it's in any danger of virtual extinction now. It's very unlikely to ever be the 'flavor of the month' with 'big star' and 'big money' status, but I think its niche is solid, nationally and internationally.

Ronnie Boettcher · Post by **Ronnie Boettcher** » 7 May 2011 3:41 pm

I have just sent them a E-mail too. Telling them off, and will also end sending them money. I do not need them, and they do not need my money. Here at home, I get the music I want on the internet, My CD's, records, or playing live music, with humans. Sirius, XM, will go out of my life, just like WSM, CMT, and the rest of rock trash, they call country. Ronnie

Harold Dye · Post by **Harold Dye** » 7 May 2011 5:48 pm

This has been coming for some time. When it was XM and Hanks place the music was much better to me. When the Sirus suits took over they changed to Willies place (thats ok) but Kilroy and Catfish left. Clerance stayed. To me there was some change from Hanks to Willies place because it seemed to me they were playing less Texas style mucic and I don't like that. Now I think it is off the board and I am seriouly considering dropping my subscription in a couple of months when it renews.

Russell Nugent · Post by **Russell Nugent** » 7 May 2011 6:26 pm

My subscription just auto-renewed so I guess I'll give it a few months to see if I like the new format. I don't relish change very well. I don't understand why Dallas Wayne gets 8 hours daily on the radio, both on Willie's Roadhouse and Outlaw Country. He's okay but, really? I do enjoy listening to Elizabeth Cook's show, and Cowboy Jack's show. I'm hoping that they will tweak the programming of the new Roadhouse to include more Texas honky-tonk. I think it is a shame that Bill Mack is no longer included, and hope he's back soon.

That being said, on a funnier note: since I retired from the Police Department I have been working part-time at the airport (SRQ). It has been playing some Sirius/XM light rock station for months, with the same songs playing over and over. Apparently, no one got the memo of the channel changes so all day Wednesday, travelers were bombarded with the sounds of gansta rap rather than Jewell! I heard it lasted nearly all day until someone figured out to change to the new channel!

Ben Rubright · Post by **Ben Rubright** » 7 May 2011 6:44 pm

RAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!RAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! are you kidding me???....for some people, all of their taste is in their mouths. Sorry to be from rant-a-ravia tonight but sometimes it's called for. There is room for rap and hip-hop but NOT Texas Country. I am not of this world. Moe, Larry...cheese......!!

Mitch Ellis · Post by **Mitch Ellis** » 7 May 2011 9:06 pm

Dave Mudgett wrote:
I think "classic country" music needs to work its way from the bottom up again, as bluegrass successfully did.

That's an interesting thought. In your opinion, how could it be done? Would it take songwriters that wrote new songs in a "classic country" style? Should the older artist (and I mean that in a respectful manner) come out of retirement and start singing their songs again or would it take new and young artist singing the old classic country songs? It's an interesting thought to me because I'm a songwriter that writes in the "classic country" style. Somewhere around 1997, I went to Nashville and met with a producer. After listening to two of my songs, he told me that they were really good songs, but that those kind of songs didn't sell anymore because they were too traditional. Again, in your opinion, how can it be done when it doesn't seem to sell now? Thank you.
Mitch

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 7 May 2011 11:27 pm

Ben Rubright wrote:RAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!RAP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! are you kidding me???....for some people, all of their taste is in their mouths. Sorry to be from rant-a-ravia tonight but sometimes it's called for. There is room for rap and hip-hop but NOT Texas Country. I am not of this world. Moe, Larry...cheese......!!

I recall a dance gig with Johnny Bush up in Madisonville TX, in the heart of northeast Texas. The crowd was good and there were some good dancers, but on the breaks, the house soundman played hip-hop and all the kids in attendance, 99.9% anglo, totally filled the dance floor.

When Bush saw that, he turned to me and said "how can they dance to that noise?"

I told him "I don't know, John, but there must be something to it, because at a black kids' dance I can guarantee they're not playing Ray Price on the breaks."

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 8 May 2011 1:05 am

That's an interesting thought. In your opinion, how could it be done?

I don't want to veer this discussion too far off from the original topic (XM/Sirius), but briefly (my opinions, of course) - bluegrass pretty much broke away from the mainstream of country music and developed its own national and international grass-roots organizations for artistic development, promotion, and set up an entire culture and lifestyle based on a set of values, family-oriented bluegrass festivals and events, their own well-structured awards organization, and so on.

At first it was pretty rigid, but gradually they opened up a bit and were generally very accepting of younger players. Over the last 40 years, I've known many whole families whose entire lifestyle revolved around this, and it became a self-organizing national movement. I think that combination of clear articulation of values, family emphasis, a willingness to stubbornly go their own way, but with a general (although sometimes grudging) acceptance of new blood and evolution of the style within boundaries was critical. They also had strong and well-known cults-of-personality who championed all of this.

We've discussed this before. When you go to the bluegrass channel on XM/Sirius or anywhere else, you know what you're gonna hear - bluegrass. They don't try to be all things to all people - although it has evolved the last 40-50 years, there's not really any question about what it is when you hear it. They are generally satisfied with their niche, and don't try to unnaturally expand outside of it - instead, others come to them.

Bill Miller · Post by **Bill Miller** » 8 May 2011 5:26 am

Isn't diversity the whole concept behind satellite radio? With we users paying monthly fees instead of the revenues coming solely from advertisers isn't there supposed to be the freedom to offer non-mainstream content? At least that's the way I understood it. They've begun cutting out the less popular stations in favor of content they foresee attracting more listeners. It seems that if they follow this trend to it's logical conclusion they will be left with nothing but mainstream. And wasn't there enough mainstream available before satellite radio? Why would people want to shell out a monthly fee and an investment in specialized equipment when they can get the same mainstream content free on FM radio? I think they've lost sight of what they're all about.

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 8 May 2011 6:04 am

Well said, Bill.

Dennis Saydak · Post by **Dennis Saydak** » 8 May 2011 6:32 am

Bill Miller wrote: Why would people want to shell out a monthly fee and an investment in specialized equipment when they can get the same mainstream content free on FM radio? I think they've lost sight of what they're all about.

Bill, I subscribe to satellite radio mainly because it is commercial and talk show free programming period ... can't stand either component when I want to listen to music.

Mitch Ellis · Post by **Mitch Ellis** » 8 May 2011 7:00 am

I see what you mean, Dave. Thank you for your reply.

Mitch

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 8 May 2011 8:21 am

I purchased my 1st XM radio in 2004. I have voiced my concerns to them on many occasions. I canceled my xm on May 1st. I miss Bill and Cindy. I grew up listening to Bill starting in Wichita Falls then on to Fort Worth. I am also sad to say we are a minor player in the big city money driven world. The cost involved are small to run a single station as to the amount of profit they get. Willies place was a small fish. Other than the daily live feeds it was preprogrammed with our favorite music. They are in the cost cutting mode and to finally make the CEO's huge bonuses. I will miss Hanks/Willies place music and our friend and family on the radio. I have sent emails, suggestions and even called. Frankly I do not see them even doing more than added a small amount of Texas music on Roadhouse. CEO and bean counters rule the world. I can only suggest that canceling your radios the only thing you can really do at this point. I dislike Howard Stern and what stands for.

Our buddy Herb S. is correct about Pandora.
I have been checking out Pandora which is a great service that I hope put XM Siruis out of business. I truely believe that being able to program you favorite artist will be more accepted in the future. Some of our friend are on there selection list of artist and they have a good selection of country channels to select from. Most of us have Ipods or Aux inputs on our cars now and if you want a after market stereo you can get for under 200.00 bucks. I use my Blackberry and have had good results here in south Texas getting a crisp clear signal and wonderful sound quaility that I think is even better that XM. I know the Pandora is getting new service in new vehiles like Ford BMW and others are following suit. Yes they do have a very few commericals but I have only hear about a 30 second spot once about every 30 minutes. You can avoid all commerical and get addtional service for 36 dollars a year. Heck that is less that 3 months of my xm bill.

One last items. Give Pandora a try on you PC and add ing your favorite artists. It is a free service up to about 40hours a month. I am intersted in hearing you view on this service. RIP Willies Place, We miss you Bill, Cindy, Dallas, Clarence, and Country Dan. Thanks for the memories

Steve Hinson · Post by **Steve Hinson** » 8 May 2011 8:26 am

Hasn' t satellite radio lost money since it started?

John Coffman · Post by **John Coffman** » 8 May 2011 8:46 am

LMAO Steve excellant point. My understanding is that they are going to consolidate as much as they can and cut all unnesseccary costs. Then run with the money. IMHO I think Sirrus only has about 5 more years. More people are going to be forced to smartphones and apps for free music and music streaming services will drive there market in to the ground. Steve I a computer geek kinda of a guy and have worked with tech stuff since 1983.

Let take a deeper look. XM market is in the moblie radios for the most part. More car companies are installing networking wifi tech setups in new vehicles. Why would any one play for programing when you can get it for free. Live 365, Pandora etc with drive then in the way of vinly records.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 8 May 2011 8:59 am

My wife said she heard a Johnny Bush tune on Willie's Roadhouse yesterday.

Alvin Blaine · Post by **Alvin Blaine** » 8 May 2011 9:31 am

Steve Hinson wrote:Hasn' t satellite radio lost money since it started?

Yes, and that is why they are eliminating XM. They have been running both XM and Sirius as separate entities since the merger, and now are trying to streamline the company to avoid bankruptcy. They had an investor, Liberty Media(Direct TV), invest $500 million in the company about a year or two ago, when accountants told them they had to file for bankruptcy, and now they are face with bankruptcy again.

Alan Tanner · Post by **Alan Tanner** » 8 May 2011 10:55 am

Most of the folks I know who have XM have dropped it. Not because of the music or the service, but with all the shenanigans with renewal pricing, ridiculous costs for activating new radios, the inability of anyone at XM to ever agree on company policy, and the fact that it is very hard to call them and get someone who speaks English well enuff to come away feeling that all is well. Folks have called them to make changes in service, renew, cancel due to cost etc, only to find that the changes were not made, the pricing structure quoted was not what you end up paying, they try to get you to keep on with a "special deal", they didn't cancel but charged your card anyway, and on and on and on. It's no wonder they are facing the axe. What a sorry way to run a business..........

Wally Moyers · Post by **Wally Moyers** » 8 May 2011 5:13 pm

This is the response I got back....

Dear Mr. Moyers,

Thank you for contacting SiriusXM regarding your inquiry on the merging of Willie's Place (XM 13/SIRIUS 64) and the Roadhouse (XM 10/SIRIUS 64) and Bill Mack show. We are glad you have taken this time to contact us for more information. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

After May 4, you will still have access to the same great variety of programming you enjoy today, but a few channels will be combined, some content will be moving from our satellite radio lineup to the SiriusXM Internet Radio lineup.

In addition, “Willie's Place” will no longer be on SiriusXM Radio. For Willie Nelson music and other Texas Honky Tony music, please check out SiriusXM's Classic Country channel, “The Roadhouse”, on Ch. 56, where you can hear Willie Nelson music and artists like Merle Haggard, George Jones, Patsy Cline, and Buck Owens.

While as for Bill Mack show, as you have noted, Bill Mack is no longer with SiriusXM as an on-air host but we wish him well. Willie's Roadhouse channel (Ch. 56) is Willie Nelson's classic country music channel featuring songs from the '60s, '70s and '80s by artists such as Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Patsy Cline, Buck Owens and more. On Willie's Roadhouse you can also hear live broadcasts from the Grand Ole Opry as well as shows from Ranger Doug and 'Hank Williams Inside The Box.'

We continually rely on customer feedback like yours and research to enhance your entertainment experience. As we strive to create the most diverse listening experience available, we find that the feedback we receive is crucial to our success. We are forwarding your comments to the appropriate programming team. Thank you for being a loyal listener and we look forward to many more years of providing you with our service.

Your feedback regarding our programming is extremely important to us. We are dedicated to providing the most variety and best listening experience available anywhere.

Please visit our website at http://www.siriusxm.com/channellineup for our current lineup, schedules and programming highlights.

We are committed to providing you with the best in listener care. You can also manage your account online 24/7, by clicking here https://care.siriusxm.com/login_view.action.

If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to reply to this email.

Thank you,

Anne
SiriusXM Email Listener Care Team
1-866-635-2349

Brian McGaughey · Post by **Brian McGaughey** » 8 May 2011 7:43 pm

Regarding Pandora as an alternative to sattelite radio, I've noticed that quite often the versions of the more popular and common songs are not the same as the versions I'm familiar with. Often it's a live version of the song seed I input, or an alternate less popular take, and some songs just won't come up. I've assumed this is due to copyright license issues.

Anyone else notice this? Know what I'm talking about?

I noticed Willie's Roadhouse had changed their format within listening to 2 or 3 songs on channel 56.

I'm with those that think this subscribtion model won't work for much longer due to the new technologies available.

I'm a fan of downloading from Itunes and using an Ipod. Don't forget to backup those purchases!

Jim Manley · Post by **Jim Manley** » 9 May 2011 2:59 am

I will be cancelling my subscription as well which is up for re-newal now.Luckily I have a newer truck that has a jack in the stereo that I can plug my I-Pod into!

Darrell Criswell · Post by **Darrell Criswell** » 9 May 2011 6:15 am

Move to West Texas around Fort Stockton on 1-10 or Pecos 1-20 area. You will hear nothing but classic country and western swing stations on the FM radio on your car. And there are very few commercials on these stations. These stations are better than Hanks or Willie's place on satellite radio have ever been.

Admittedly there aren't a lot of people living out there,and it does get a bit warm in the summer, but it is beautiful country with mountains and national parks/monuments (and really great ones too).

I was driving to Big Bend last summer from San Antonio and couldn't believe what I got on the radio and I am not exaggerating. I tried to find the stations on the internet but it seemed they were just radio broadcast. If anyone knows of great internet radio stations let me know. I also heard one in Juneau Alaska a few years ago that was just fantastic.

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