Comments on: SiriuX Satellite Radio?

By: JOHN TROUT

JOHN TROUT — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 17:13:10 +0000

Like the others who have posted on this subject, I have only one perspective on the proposed satellite radio merger. I have been a Sirius subscriber for about two years.

Sirius has 18 hours a day (12 hours on weekends) of hosted programing, they make it sound as if it is real radio. Most but not all, songs get a verbal introduction. The hosts, Chris Jones, Ned Lubericki, and Joey Black are knowledgeable and very informative.

The programing covers Bluegrass from 1946 to the present. The main focus is on current material, but you can expect to hear Monroe, Stanley of Martin at least every hour.

They have started to air some speciality programming recently.
Del McCoury has one hour each week where he Plays “what ever he wants” always good music with great commentary. Chris has an “oldies” program weekly featuring Bluegrass from the 1970’s back, and Ned has just started a program witch features the more progressive sounds.

By: Lowell Jewell

Lowell Jewell — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 02:13:34 +0000

I’ve never listened to Sirius’ bluegrass channel so I shouldn’t say I wouldn’t want its programming combined with XM’s Bluegrass Junction. I’d be interested in knowing about some of the “shows” that Ned and crew broadcast. I might like it and be more excited about the proposed merger. I can say for sure though that I would not want to lose Kyle or the Studio Special shows. The live music and conversation is very nice.

If I want to hear music outside of the bluegrass box, I can find what I want elsewhere on XM. If not, I reach for the CD case that stays by my side everywhere I go. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a “traditionalist” and think that if it ain’t done a certain way, it ain’t real. I like it all. But I also like it categorized properly so that I’m not constantly changing channels to find what I’m looking for.

Having said that, I’d like to see (hear) some old-time/mountain music occasionally and I think that would be a good compliment to any “bluegrass” channel. I need my clawhammer fix now and again! Anything like that on Sirius?

Still, I doubt the merger will happen. If it does, we should expect a monthly premium hike soon after.

Ted, we can’t always be on the same page! See you soon my friend.

Lowell

By: TedLehmann

TedLehmann — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 12:08:02 +0000

I look forward to the merger of Sirius and XM, especially if it means the Kyle Cantrell gets balanced by some of the people who are said to broadcast on Sirius. I liked XM better when Felton Pruitt was the bluegrass host, but I think Cantrell has been learning on the job. He seems to have become more open to progressive strands in bluegrass, while maintaining his basically conservative approach to programming with a heavy emphasis on the past. In his studio interviews, he often seems to be trying to learn how bluegrass has progressed and what directions it is moving. Maybe he should listen to his e-mail.

Ned Luberecki, one of the Sirius hosts, is a regular on the Banjo Hangout and indicates a somewhat wider range of programming on Sirius. I’d like to hear more voices and more choices on XM, so the merger idea appeals to me. I’m comfortable with a mild disagreement with my e-friend Lowell. – Ted
http://www.tedlehmann.blogspot.com

By: Lowell Jewell

Lowell Jewell — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 03:50:03 +0000

I don’t know anything about Sirius’ programming but I’ve had XM Radio since it’s beginning. The Bluegrass Junction is where I spend the most time. Kyle Cantrell is a very good interviewer! He always seems prepared for his guests and always seems to ask the right questions. The Studio Special show is very good!! While I doubt this merger will happen, I’d sure hate to lose this channel if it did. I also think that the balance of music and special shows is just right. Wouldn’t want to have a merger mess that up.