LRB visited the XM Nashville studios recently to talk with host Kyle Cantrell about their current CD, No Turning Back, and of course, play a number of the songs live.

You can catch the show at the following times on both XM 14 and Sirius 65:

• Friday 1/9 – 8:00 a.m.
• Saturday 1/10 – 8:00 a.m.
• Sunday 1/11 – 9:00 p.m.
• Monday 1/12 – 9:00 p.m.

All times eastern US.

He did get a chart compiled for December; two, in fact. Since the merger, which also combined the music libraries of both XM and Sirius, they have decided to offer chart info based on the number of “spins” a song or CD received on Bluegrass Junction the previous month.

The new charts are posted on the XM web site, and we have them here on The Bluegrass Blog.

Most Played Songs, Bluegrass Junction Sirius XM Radio
January, 2009 (for the month ending December 31)

Album chart after the jump…

Most Played Albums, Bluegrass Junction Sirius XM Radio
January, 2009 (for the month ending December 31)

As expected, the notion of maintaining separately programmed bluegrass channels was nixed, and starting yesterday (11/12), both Sirius 65 and XM 14 carry the new Bluegrass Junction feed.

XM’s Kyle Cantrell will continue to program the music, and host the feed during the weekday morning slot (7:00-11:00 a.m. ET). Marty Fitzpatrick, who will also serve as Music Manager (MD/PD), will host from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the week.

The former Sirius team of Chris Jones and Ned Luberecki are still on the job as well. Chris will follow Marty for the 3:00-7:00 p.m. weekday shift, and also host a noon to 6:00 p.m. show on Saturdays. Look for Ned on Saturday evening from 6:00 p.m. until midnight, and again on Sunday afternoon from noon to 6:00 p.m.

Feature programs from both networks will also be heard on a recurring schedule. All are one hour shows unless noted otherwise.

• Studio Special (live music and discussion, hosted by Kyle Cantrell):  8:00 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 9:00 p.m. Sundays and Mondays
• Track-By-Track (album review with the artist in studio):  11:00 a.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, and 9:00 p.m. Tuesdays
• Truegrass with Chris Jones (classic bluegrass):  3:00 p.m. Fridays and 6:00 p.m. Sundays
• Hand Picked with Del McCoury:  11:00 a.m. Saturdays and Mondays, and 9:00 p.m. Thursdays
• The Gospel Train:  8:00-11:00 a.m. Sundays and 9:00 p.m.  to midnight Wednesdays
• Derailed with Ned Luberecki (newgrass):  Saturdays 10:00 p.m. to midnight
• Wichita Rutherford’s Grand Old Time Machine:  Fridays 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays at midnight (technically, Sundays at 12:00 a.m.)

It looks like Sirius’ Joey Black is the only former host who is missing from the new bluegrass lineup.

Cantrell will be doing double duty at Sirius-XM, serving also as the music programmer for The Roadhouse, their 24/7 classic country channel (Sirius 62/XM 10).

He’s at the Winfield festival, preparing to head home, and he and his Sirius cohort, Chris Jones, plan to shake things up a bit with today’s lineup.

“At 12 Noon today (Monday) Chris Jones and I will begin what we expect to be a 12 hour straight broadcast from the van on our way home from Winfield, KS to Nashville, TN. We’ve only done the moving broadcast a couple of times before, but never for this long. I am filling in for Joey Black’s afternoon shift this week (he’s on vacation) while Wade Jessen is filling in for me on the morning show.

Listeners can tune in and hear our progress along the way. If anyone is unfamiliar with what it’s like to travel 12 hours with a bluegrass band‚Ķ this could give some valuable insight! Or it just might be goofy and fun.”

You can follow Ned and Chris’ excellent adventure on Sirius channel 65.

The approval does come with several conditions.

The companies will have to cap their subscription prices for three years, allow a la carte channel subscription alongside packages, offer more education and minority programming, and allow other manufacturers to build and sell transmitters.

What this means for bluegrass listeners is still to be seen. Hopefully it will mean better programing at lower prices. That’s what the companies promised.

You can read the full story about the FCC approval at the Washingtonpost.com.

Instead of songs with patriotic themes, they will instead feature the music of the many celebrated artists who started their careers as a member of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, only to later declare their independence and start their own bluegrass music ventures.

The Sirius Bluegrass "Bill Of Rights" was written by Bill Monroe, but when Flatt & Scruggs, Jimmy Martin and Del McCoury claimed their independence from Bill’s Bluegrass Boys, a new chapter of bluegrass history was written! This 4th of July weekend, we’ll pull out your favorite songs from the artists who claimed independence and emancipated to lead their own bands.

Things will kick off on Sirius 65 Friday morning (7/4) at 6:00 a.m. (EDT) and run through Sunday (7/6).

At 11:00 a.m. this morning, Jimmy Gaudreau will join host Carol Beaugard on Lonesome Pine RFD, broadcast from 9:00 a.m. to noon on 89.1 FM in the New York City area. Jimmy is on tour now with Moondi Klein supporting their duo Rebel CD, 2:10 Train. They are opening for Emmylou Harris over the course of her summer tour.

You can find their tour dates on the duo’s web site.

If you aren’t in the NYC area, Lonesome Pine RFD is streamed live online at WFDU.fm.

At noon, The Lovell Sisters will perform live on WDVX’s Blue Plate Special. The show originates from Knoxville, TN and is broadcast in that market at 102.9 FM – and via live streaming online.

Blue Plate Special airs at noon (EDT).

For those who subscribe to Sirius satellite radio, here’s another one worth your attention.

The Infamous Stringdusters will be on Sirius Bluegrass tonight at 8:00 p.m. (EDT). The broadcast will feature a live set recorded last week at Nashville’s Station Inn where the guys run through all of the songs from their new CD, The Infamous Stringdusters, plus a couple of bluegrass favorites.

Should you miss tonight’s show, it will replay on Sirius Bluegrass on Saturday (6/21) at 10:00 p.m. and on Sunday (6/22) at 4:00 p.m. (all times eastern).

Sirius Bluegrass can be found at channel 65 on your Sirius Satellite Radio receiver. They also offer a subscription-based online service, Sirius Internet Radio, and free 3-day trials are offered to non-subscribers.

From the piece by the AP’s John Dunbar:

Martin made his recommendation Sunday in exchange for a number of concessions, including turning 24 channels over to noncommercial and minority programming. That sets the stage for a final vote that could occur any time after Martin’s recommendation is circulated among his fellow commissioners.

The provision on noncommercial and minority programming along with several others — including a three-year price freeze for customers — persuaded Martin to support Sirius Satellite Radio Inc.’s buyout of rival XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc. The deal would affect millions of subscribers who pay to hear music, news, sports and talk programming, largely free from advertising, in homes and vehicles.

Bluegrass subscribers to both services have feared that consolidation would result in the cancellation of one of the two bluegrass feeds, but Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin has pledged that the proposed merged service would allow any current subscriber of either network to both retain their existing service and choose from the other’s offerings on an a la carte basis.

Read the full AP piece online.

Sirius Bluegrass is also all over the ‘Dusters today, setting up to record their CD release party set at the Station Inn this evening (6/6). The band will do two sets, the first for industry folks (invitation only) and a set public set, both emceed by Sirius’ Ned Luberecki and recorded for a later broadcast by Battle Ridge Studio.

Ned tells us that the show will be broadcast on Friday, June 20, and almost surely again over the ensuing weekend. He suggests that you keep an eye on the Sirius Bluegrass site where broadcast times will be posted as the show date approaches.

Speaking of Sirius…

Jamie Dailey and Darren Vincent will guest host this evening (6/6) while Ned is at the Station Inn. Look for them from 5:00-7:00 p.m. (EDT) during which time they will spin their favorite bluegrass music and share their thoughts about all things bluegrass.

Find it all on Sirius channel 65.

Here is the final ‘Dusters inside look at their lengthy tour of Germany.

With the US Department of Justice’s approval of the proposed merger between the two satellite radio giants being announced a month ago, subscribers and music industry observers have had much to say, pro and con, about the impact such a merger might have on this relatively new medium.

Billboard and Reuters had a joint piece last week looking at how record labels view this merger, and their fears that it could eventually lead to the sort of consolidation that would eliminate any duplication of services. Though both companies insist that their goal is to maintain separate subscription services, allowing a la carte selections from the other side of the aisle, the label reps quoted in the April 20 piece by Ken Tucker don’t cherish the thought of loosing any possible exposure via satellite radio.

Brad Paul, senior VP of promotion at Rounder Records — a label whose bluegrass releases benefit from the 24/7 national exposure they get from Sirius and XM — doesn’t like the idea of one less national outlet. “If the argument were being made that it’s a good thing because I could economize my effort, heck, I’m not about economizing my efforts, I’m about having opportunities to get these artists’ music exposed to as many listeners as possible.

“Both networks offer different ways to feature and launch a new project,” Paul says. “I feel good about having both those options to go to.”

Tucker also passes along the feeling expressed by several reps that satellite radio had been responsible for breaking new artists, though none presented any concrete examples. There was some disagreement expressed, but overall, the quotes in the piece look askance at the merger.

But Kevin Herring, VP of promotion for Nashville-based Lyric Street Records, says losing XM’s Highway 16 channel or Sirius’ New Country channel wouldn’t have much of an effect on his label’s promotion efforts. “Anytime there’s less current outlets, it affects us, but I don’t see it having an overarching effect on what we do or how we do it,” he says.

Sony BMG Nashville VP of marketing Tom Baldrica says his label group has long supported both satellite services and is also not pleased with the possibility of consolidation. “One of those stations goes and it’s like losing a major-market radio station,” he says. “And it’s a major-market radio station that’s speaking to the people that value and love the music more than most. I’m not happy about that at all.”

Read the full piece online.

After this afternoon’s airing, the Blue Highway show will be rebroadcast as follows (all times EDT):

• Saturday (4/12) at 10:00 p.m.
• Sunday (4/13) at 5:00 p.m.
• Monday (4/14) at noon

SIRIUS Bluegrass can be found at channel 65 on your Sirius Satellite Radio receiver. They also offer a subscription-based online service, Sirius Internet Radio, and free 3-day trials are offered to non-subscribers.

This proposal has been in the works since the beginning of last year. The Department of Justice Antitrust Division had to approve the merger before it could take place, in order to determine the effect it might have on consumers. The main concern being the creation of a monopoly with no competition. The DOJ determined that although the merger would create a situation in which only one satellite radio company would exist in the US market, there would be sufficient competition from other technology sectors to protect consumers.

After a careful and thorough review of the proposed transaction, the Division concluded that the evidence does not demonstrate that the proposed merger of XM and Sirius is likely to substantially lessen competition, and that the transaction therefore is not likely to harm consumers. The Division reached this conclusion because the evidence did not show that the merger would enable the parties to profitably increase prices to satellite radio customers for several reasons, including: a lack of competition between the parties in important segments even without the merger; the competitive alternative services available to consumers; technological change that is expected to make those alternatives increasingly attractive over time; and efficiencies likely to flow from the transaction that could benefit consumers.

Further into its report, the DOJ gets specific about where this competition is coming from. When the report says “The Parties” it is referring to Sirius and XM.

The parties contended that they compete with a variety of other sources of audio entertainment, including traditional AM/FM radio, HD Radio, MP3 players (e.g., iPods®), and audio offerings delivered through wireless telephones. Those options, used individually or in combination, offer many consumers attributes of satellite radio service that they may find attractive. The parties further contended that these audio entertainment alternatives were sufficient to prevent the merged company from profitably raising prices to consumers in the retail channel.

And the DOJ agreed.

Interestingly, it seems the National Association of Broadcasters agrees as well, and they’re not happy about it. The LA Times is reporting that

The National Assn. of Broadcasters, which opposes the deal because it would improve satellite radio’s ability to compete with traditional radio for listeners, said it was “astonished” by the ruling.

DOJ approval isn’t the end of the process though. The deal must still be approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Analysts are quite certain that the FCC will approve the deal, they’ve never ruled in opposition to the DOJ previously, but FCC approval could possibly come with some stipulations and conditions.

…the agency could demand that the company follow through on a-la-carte pricing plans that Sirius and XM have already proposed.

That according to Alden Mahabir, an analyst at Utendahl Capital Partners, as reported by MarketWatch.com yesterday.

The problem lies in the fact that the FCC issued the two licenses in 1997, along with the stipulation prohibiting either company from owning both licenses. This was done to prevent a merger, and ensure “sufficient continuing competition.”

With the DOJ ruling that competition exists from other technologies, the FCC will likely overturn it’s original ruling and allow the merger to go forward, but that waits to be seen.

An FCC ruling is expected within the next few weeks.

The channel will feature Skaggs’ own music, both old and new, as well as some of Ricky’s favorite bluegrass artists, and will include personal introductions from the artist himself. Ricky will also share his feelings about his love for bluegrass and talk about his favorite bluegrass acts.

The bluegrass star and 13-time Grammy award winner Ricky Skaggs was recognized as a child prodigy for his remarkable musical talent. Skaggs began performing bluegrass with his family at the age of 17 and went on to release 10 mainstream country hits before returning to the bluegrass music fold. Skaggs recently received the 2008 Best Southern, Country or Bluegrass Gospel Album Grammy award for his record Salt of the Earth.

Skaggs Place continues Sirius’ tradition of creating exclusive artist branded channels dedicated to iconic figures at the top of their game. Recent exclusive channels launched on Sirius include Rolling Stones Radio, Grateful Dead Channel, E Street Radio, JAY-Z Nation, and Garth Brooks Radio, among many others.

To learn more about Skaggs Place please visit Sirius Bluegrass online.

Starting today (3/17) and running through Friday (3/21) Sirius Bluegrass will offer hourly biographies of the women who have left a mark on bluegrass music. Rhonda Vincent and Dale Ann Bradley will host these brief segments to help celebrate Women’s History Month.

Sirius Bluegrass can be found on Channel 65 on your Sirius Satellite receiver, and subscribers can listen online. They have a free, 3 day trial for their internet radio service should you want to get a taste of the Sirius experience.

On-air hosts Chris Jones, Ned Luberecki and Joey Black have compiled the best bluegrass instrumental music from their massive collection to feature all weekend – the perfect background for your pregame get-togethers?

Or as Ned might put it… listen to the Pick Off while awaiting the kick off.

Sirius Bluegrass can be found on Channel 65 on your Sirius Satellite receiver, or subscribers can listen online. They have a free, 3 day trial for their internet radio service should you want to get a taste of the Sirius experience.

Starting Monday (12/31) at noon and running throughout New Year’s Day, Sirius Bluegrass will air encore presentations of their Hand Picked with Del program, hosted by McCoury. Del plays his favorite bluegrass songs (old and new), and shares stories from his long career in the business.

The only interruption from the Hand Picked Del-a-thon comes at 10:00 p.m. (EST) when Sirius will carry a live broadcast of the New Year’s Eve McCoury Family Pickin’ Party from The Ryman in Nashville. In addition to The Del McCoury Band, the show will feature performances from Ronnie Bowman, Leftover Salmon’s Drew Emmitt and Vince Herman, Jon Fishman (from Phish), and Steep Canyon Rangers.

It’s sure to be a rollicking good time, and a fine way to welcome 2008.

Rhonda Vincent’s Christmas Memories finds her in the studio with her family and several friends, discussing their Christmas memories – and playing her favorite bluegrass Christmas music as well.

The show airs on 12/24 at both noon and 9:00 p.m., and again on Christmas Day at 3:00 p.m. All times Eastern.

Each Friday at 3:00 p.m. they will announce and spin the top 17 songs as determined by listener requests. Host Chris Jones tells us that there isn’t any special significance to the number 17 – it just worked out well to fit that many songs into a one hour program.

The #1 song from last week – the first week of the countdown – was Alison’s Band by The Charlie Sizemore Band. You can add your own requests by calling the Sirius Request Line (877-33-SIRIUS), or by email.

Count Down Yonder is rebroadcast on Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. and Sundays at 3:00 p.m. (all times EST).

The two satellite radio services have been given an entirely different deal than that handed down for webcasters. While internet radio was burdened with a per song fee, satellite radio has been given a favorable percentage of revenue model to work from.

These fees are the ones paid to SoundExchange for performance royalties. They are paid in addition to publishing royalties owed to such organizations as ASCAP.

Here is the fee structure as set by the CRB:

2007: 6%
2008: 6%
2009: 6.5%
2010: 7.5%

It took almost a year of legal hearings to arrive at this conclusion because the satellite providers and SoundExchange couldn’t agree on which revenue streams would be subject to this fee, and how much the fee should be. It looks like the broadcasters won this one.

Advertising and subscriptions fees are applicable revenue and subject to the royalty, while hardware sales and data service fees are not.

The broadcasters had hoped to pay only 1-2.5 percent, while SoundExchange had argued in favore of a starting percentage of 8, increasing to 23 percent over time.

So, this looks like a great ruling for the satellite radio industry. But does it seem strange to anyone else that the standards are so very different for internet and satellite radio services?

If SoundExchange isn’t happy with this, they do have until December 18, 2007 to file for a re-hearing, and 30 days from then to appeal the decision in a Washington U.S. Appeals Court. The same goes for the satellite radio companies as well, though I can’t see them being upset by this arrangement.

If you aren’t here at IBMA in Nashville to see them perform at Fan Fest, be sure to tune in this afternoon at 5:00 (ET) to catch a couple of songs from the debut release.