The Larry Stephenson Band will be Kyle Cantrell’s guest for this week’s edition of Studio Special on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction. Larry will both discuss and perform music from his new Gospel CD, Thankful, released this March on Pinecastle Records - and which came in at #13 on the most recent Billboard Bluegrass Chart.

Larry’s show will run several times over the next week, starting with the debut airing at 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning (5/9).

Here’s the full schedule (all times EDT).

Bluegrass Junction can be found on XM 14 where they play bluegrass 24/7.

A great many bluegrass fans have embraced satellite radio. In addition to each having nearly 200 channels offering a wide variety of news, music and sports, both XM and Sirius have 24/7 bluegrass music channels produced in house.

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.

Bradley Walker will be the guest on this week’s edition of Studio Special on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction. Bradley and his band (David Babb - bass, Dustin Benson - guitar, Jenny Gardner - mandolin, Patton Wages - guitar) will join host Kyle Cantrell for an hour of discussion and live music starting this morning (4/18) at 8:00 a.m. (EDT).

Kyle is especially psyched about this week’s show, as it will mark the 50th airing of Studio Special since he came on board at XM.

Bradley’s show will run six times over the next week, starting with this morning’s debut. Here’s the run down (all times EDT).

Our good friend Wichita Rutherford is hosting the family band Cherryholmes on his XM Radio show this afternoon.

Wichita’s show is called The Grand Old Time Machine. He travels back and forth through time playing the best of bluegrass from today and years gone by.

The Cherryholmes portion of the show includes an interview with the band and a lot of their music.

If you’re curious what Wichita’s show is like, he’s uploaded a short excerpt from the 30 minute show and has made it available as an mp3 on his blog. Head on over and check it out.

The Grand Old Time Machine airs today at 5 PM EST and then again Saturday night at 12 Midnight (EST).

If you don’t have XM, but would like to listen to the show, XM offers a free three day pass that allows you full online access to all the stations they offer.

Blue Highway will be the featured guest on this week’s edition of Studio Special on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction. They join host Kyle Cantrell for some live music from their new CD, Through the Window of a Train, and discussion about the songs, all of which were written within the band.

The show will run six times over the next week, starting with the debut airing at 8:00 a.m. on Friday morning (3/28). Cantrell tells us that these multiple airings are placed in very different time slots to offer convenient opportunities for folks in the various time zones - and on different work/listening schedules.

Here’s the run down (all times EDT).

Not only is Blue Highway one of the finest live bands in bluegrass, they are also deft and thoughtful songwriters. Both the performance and the songwriting chat should be enlightening for serious fans and students of this music.

Monday the US Department of Justice approved the proposed merger/buyout of Sirius and XM Satellite Radio companies. The proposed merger is really a Sirius take over of XM, to the tune of $5 billion.

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 (more…)

Having spent 24 years in the U.S. Navy, 20 years and 7 months with Country Current, Wayne Taylor retired to civilian life on March 21, 2008. What does that mean for a bluegrass musicians?

Wayne is in Nashville this week at the IBMA leadership class, and says his plans are to get more involved with bluegrass music. And getting more involved he is.

He has a new CD out titled Dear Mom. He just recorded an interview with Kyle Cantrell for XM Radio, which I’m told may air next Tuesday. And he’s found a new musical home.

I am playing with Bill Emerson and the Sweet Dixie Band. We’ve played a few gigs and will be hitting the festival circuit this year. Our schedule can be viewed at Myspace.com/waynetaylor.

The guys in Country Current are going to miss Wayne’s presence for sure. I spoke to Frank Solivan II, who plays mandolin and fiddle in the band, and he shared his thoughts on Wayne’s departure from the band.

Wayne Taylor has been and is an inspiration as a musician, boss, and especially as a friend. Personally he has been there for me and my wife Leah from our start with the Navy Band. From helping us move two times and helping me install drywall in my new house to personal dilemmas. I’ve been able to count on his professionalism, honesty, and good natured attitude for almost 5 years without as much as a hiccup.

His retirement ceremony last Friday not only honored his service to our country, but his commitment to family, friends and coworkers. The masses that gathered was proof of this. Many people came to honor him… from childhood friends and his Father’s best friend to local musician, friends and family. The room was charged with emotion and the golf ball in Wayne’s throat was apparent. It was evident that everyone loves Wayne. He received a number of awards, letters of appreciation, and mementos from prominent figures in our military and the President. A number of people got up and honored his accomplishments. The legacy and shoes to fill that he’ll leave behind is immeasurable. I’m sure his fine character will carry him far in the civilian world and his musicianship and vocal ability will impart emotion just as it always has. He’ll be missed and thought of fondly.

~Frank

We wish Wayne all the best in his future endeavors, and we encourage you to take the opportunity to see him this summer at a festival near you.

Tomorrow on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction will be the first chance to hear the latest project from The Gibson Brothers. Eric and Leigh Gibson will join host Kyle Cantrell for a track-by-track preview of Iron & Diamonds, their upcoming release due April 8 on Sugar Hill.

This album is their first recorded with the touring band - Eric Gibson on banjo/vocals, Leigh Gibson on guitar/vocals, Rick Hayes on mandolin, Clayton Campbell on fiddle and Mike Barber on bass.

Like most of Bluegrass Junction’s exclusive programming, the Gibson Brothers feature will run several times over the next two weeks. It will debut on Thursday (3/20) at 9:00 a.m., with rebroadcasts scheduled as follows (all times EDT).

• Tuesday (3/25) at 6:00 p.m.
• Sunday (3/30) at 10:00 a.m.
• Saturday (4/5) at 4:00 p.m.
• Tuesday (4/8) at 3:00 p.m.

Eric also shared some thoughts about the new CD with us during an interview posted late last year. He offered some insight into a number of the originals he and Leigh composed for this project, as well as the theme in the title.

“The ‘Iron’ in the title concerns the mines, while the ‘Diamonds’ is a baseball image. Leigh and I played for the Lyon Mountain Miners of the Champlain Valley Baseball League in the late 80s, early 90s. They were sons and grandsons of real Miners, but those guys all had that same us-against-the world attitude that I imagine their ancestors had.”

Read the full interview here.

Dailey & Vincent will be the guests on the next edition of Studio Special on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction. They join host Kyle Cantrell for an hour of live music recorded in the Nashville XM studio, plus discussion about their debut, self-titled CD release.

The show airs on Friday (3/7) at 8:00 a.m. on XM 14, with additional airings at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday (3/8), 6:00 p.m. on Sunday (3/9), 8:00 p.m. on Monday (3/10), midnight on Tuesday (3/11 - technically Wednesday 3/12), and 3:00 p.m. on Thursday (3/13). All times Eastern.

Kyle mentioned that he has some great guests lined up for this new season of Studio Special, with The Steeldrivers, Lorraine Jordan & Carolina Road and Blue Highway scheduled for the remainder of March. Other guests expected later this year include Bradley Walker, Grasstowne, Larry Stephenson Band, Balsam Range, The Gibson Brothers and Honi Deaton & Dream.

Blue Highway will join host Kyle Cantrell on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction for a track-by-track rundown of their new release, Through the Window of a Train.

Kyle will be playing all the selections from the new CD, interspersed with discussions with the members of the band. All of the songs were written within the group, so expect a good bit of songwriting detail in the conversation.

The Blue Highway show will debut on Thursday (2/21) at 8:00 a.m., with encore presentations airing on Sunday (2/24) at noon, Tuesday (2/26) at 3:00 p.m. and Thursday (2/28) at 8:00 p.m. All times Eastern.

The guys also recently recorded a live performance and interview program for Bluegrass Junction, which is set to air as a Studio Special program in March.

In another XM programming note, they will be re-playing the Grasstowne interview from last week again tomorrow based on numerous listener requests. Look for that on 2/21 at 6:00 p.m.

Look for Donna Ulisse on XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction today between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. (EST).

She will join host Kyle Cantrell for an in-depth interview and a debut airing of music from her CD, When I Look Back. They will talk about her contributions to the project as a songwriter and the stories behind the songs.

The CD was produced by Ulisse and Keith Sewell and features a backing band that includes Scott Vestal on banjo, Randy Kohrs on dobro, Andy Leftwich on fiddle, Byron House on bass and both Jesse Cobb and Andy Leftwich on mandolin.

Bluegrass Junction can be found on XM track 14.

XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction will debut their newly recorded episode of Studio Special on Friday (12/7) featuring Rhonda Vincent & The Rage. For many, this will be the first chance to hear the latest edition of The Rage, with Darrell Webb on guitar and vocals.

The one hour program will include both live (in-studio) performance and discussion with host Kyle Cantrell, who tells us that several songs on the show are ones that Rhonda has never recorded, and a few she has never before performed publicly.

They will surely talk about Rhonda’s next CD, Good Thing Going, due on January 8, 2008 - and play a few of the songs as well.

Look for Rhonda and The Rage on XM (track 14) at 8:00 a.m. (EST) on Friday, and then again on Saturday at 11:00 a.m., Monday (12/10) at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday (12/11) at midnight and again on Thursday (12/13) at 3:00 p.m.

With controversy and legal action still taking place over the rates set for internet radio, the Copyright Royalty Board has fixed new rates for satellite radio services. Since there are only two satellite providers in the US, Sirius and XM are the only companies affected by the ruling.

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: (more…)

Kyle Cantrell at XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction (track 14) tells us that he has a number of interesting interviews airing over the next two days.

Later today (11/20), Cadillac Sky will be featured in the 3:00 p.m. hour. On Wednesday (11/21), Kyle will have IIIrd Tyme Out, discussing their new Footprints CD, and spinning a few cuts. That IIIrd Tyme Out feature will run sometime between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m.

Then at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Kyle will replay his visit with legendary bluegrass singer Curly Seckler.

Kyle Cantrell, host of XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction (track 14), passed along news about a few special programs and features coming up this week on XM.

The current edition of Studio Special, XM’s live-in-the studio bluegrass show, airs tonight (11/5) at 8:00 p.m. Cherryholmes is the featured guest, offering both live performance and some chit chat with Kyle during the program. It re-airs on Wednesday (11/7) at midnight (technically 11/8), and again on Thursday afternoon (11/8) at 3:00 p.m.

Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. finds Kyle with Frank Ray of Cedar Hill for a track-by-track run through of their latest release, Poverty Row. That show will re-air on Sunday (11/11) at noon, on 11/14 at 9:00 a.m. and on 11/16 at 3:00 a.m.

On Wednesday (11/7), bluegrass legend Curley Seckler will join Kyle in the studio for a live interview.

Then on Friday (11/9), Studio Special is rebroadcasting a live studio appearance from the US Navy bluegrass band Country Current in honor of Veterans Day. That show will also air on Saturday (11/10) at 6:00 p.m., on 11/12 at 8:00 p.m., 11/13 at midnight and on 11/15 at 3:00 p.m. All times for all shows are EST.

Kyle also passed along Bluegrass Junction’s Top 40 chart for November ‘07, based on October listener requests and how often individual albums were featured.

The top 5 albums for October were:

You can see the full Top 40 chart on the Bluegrass Junction web site. Just scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll see a link to download the chart as a PDF file.

While we were in Nashville for the IBMA convention earlier this month, I had occasion to speak with Kyle Cantrell, on-air host and program director for XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction (track 14), which broadcasts bluegrass music 24/7 to XM subscribers.

Kyle caught me up on XM Nashville’s plans to move soon into new facilities, which had been announced in late August. For the past six years, Bluegrass Junction has been broadcast from a small studio space in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and Kyle tells me that he is eager to get a look at their new home as soon as construction is completed.

Bluegrass Junction has been able to air live, in-studio performances on a semi-regular basis, but had always been restricted by their need to lease studio space elsewhere whenever such an occasion arose. Kyle says that the new space will have a dedicated live performance studio, to be shared by the several XM channels currently based in Nashville, and he hopes to be able to offer more, and more timely live programming once they move to the new facility.

The new studio space will be located downtown in the arena towers, adjacent to the Nashville Arena, officially known as The Sommet Center, which is also home to the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Country and bluegrass stalwart Marty Stuart has signed on to host a one hour weekly radio program on XM Satellite Radio. Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey will debut on Friday, October 5 at 8:00 a.m. on XM’s classic country channel, America (track 10).

Marty plans to showcase a wide variety of American music styles - traditional country, blues, rockabilly, bluegrass, gospel and rock - focusing each week on a different part of the country. He’ll interview and showcase local musicians from each highlighted city or town, and will perform himself with both studio and live sets.

Marty Stuart’s American Odyssey will also be featured all day October 5 on XMX (track 2), so you can tune in whenever it may be convenient.

XM Satellite Radio’s Bluegrass Junction (Channel 14) has released their Top 40 chart for August ‘07, based on listener requests and how often individual albums are featured.

The top 5 albums for August were:

You can see the full Top 40 chart on the Bluegrass Junction web site. Just scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll see a link to download the chart as a PDF file.

Brance posted last month with information about Jim Lauderdale’s latest release, The Bluegrass Diaries, due for a September 18 release on Yep Roc Records

On Wednesday (9/05), Jim will join XM Satellite Radio’s Kyle Cantrell on Bluegrass Junction for the World Premiere of the new CD. They will play each track, and discuss the songs, the recording - or whatever else may pop into Jim’s head in the studio.

The debut airing is tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. (ET), with rebroadcasts over the next two weeks leading up to the release date. Bluegrass Junction can be found at Channel 14 on the XM radio dial.

• Saturday, September 8: 4:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, September 12: 9:00 p.m.
• Sunday, September 16: 12:00 Noon
• Tuesday, September 18: 3:00 p.m.

All times are eastern. You can find out more about the CD in Brance’s earlier post.

It’s the start of a new month, and that means that Bluegrass Junction, XM Satellite Radio’s 24/7 bluegrass channel, has a new top 4o for July. The mothly album list is compiled based on listener requests and how often individual projects are featured on Bluegrass Junction (XM Channel 14).

July’s top 5 albums were:

You can see the full Top 40 chart on the Bluegrass Junction web site. Just scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll see a link to download the chart as a PDF file.