Comments on: XM-Sirius merger outlaws alt-country

By: Two things that should be awesome but aren’t | Rapid Eye Reality

Two things that should be awesome but aren’t | Rapid Eye Reality — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 00:44:03 +0000

[...] made no secret how I feel about the XM Sirius merger. It ruined X-Country and nearly forced me to cancel my subscription. But then I found Jam On, [...]

By: Sparkle

Sparkle — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:51:22 +0000

It’s been two months now and I’m still missing X-Country mightily. It was the sole reason I chose XM over Sirius 4 years ago and all 3 of my XM radios were glued to it. I’ve not cancelled my subscription, despite my initial compulsion to do so, hoping upon hope that when the rumored lineup shifts happened this month, they would find a spot for X-Country on the dial somewhere. But I’ve given Outlaw a fair chance and frankly, it sucks. I long for the quiet dignity of DJs who respect the music and their audience, who are there to share their latest fabulous music finds, not their recipe for pound cake or to hear themselves talk. Jessie Scott is a genius programmer and her talent is sorely missed. A special loss for me is that there is NOWHERE on any radio dial to hear a regular dose of zydeco music… I so looked forward to my hour with Texas Fred every week. In any case, I know I’m not alone in my discontent and disgust with Sirius XM, but that doesn’t help much. Sigh.

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 20:19:29 +0000

It’s been said numerous times above already. X-Country was different – heck it was *unique* as far as I can tell. It was like a KEXP Seattle (thank you iTunes) for grown ups. I spent a couple of hundred bucks on music by artists I hadn’t heard of prior to stumbling across X-Country in a rental car while on a cross-Colorado drive a couple of years back. There was nothing like it on air, satellite, internet or FM (damn sure ’bout the last). WFUV in NYC sometimes touches upon its genius, but only for an hour or two at a stretch. Outlaw Country is dumbed-down, imbecilic talk trash in comparison. And yes, you can hear Waylon and Willie loads of other places on the dial, i.e Roadhouse and Willie’s Place. However there is hope, at least when in range of the internet. Check out Radio Free Texas (radiodfreetexas.org or on iTunes Radio under ‘Country’). Don’t know how you’re gonna listen to it while you’re drivin’ (lordy how I will miss you X-Country on those long, lonely cross country drives), but it’s something. That is until someone comes along and screws it up. For now, though, there’s some hope.

By: Todd

Todd — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 02:39:04 +0000

I want to cry a river of whiskey tears. Robert Earl Keen is like my Elvis Presley and the only radio station that would have him on a regular rotation has been taken over by a bunch of longwinded blowhards. I know they “appreciate” alt-country but Outlaw Country has now been turned off of my radio in protest. I urge others to not listen to it either. Maybe someday, but hearing Tony Bennett sing Cold Cold Heart just doesn’t do it for me. Give me REK,Chris Knight, Restless Kelly. I’m in freakin Nashville and have to listen to pop radio country. For the Love of all that is Holy! Please. Is there nothing we can do?

By: Clint Wright

Clint Wright — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 15:58:55 +0000

I have not listened to an FM station for more than 5 minutes for the past 3-4 years. Now, XM has joined ‘em. It was consolidation then and it is consolidation now (XM and Sirius merger). Pattern? How hard can it be to program a good alt-country radio station? At least I have KPIG.

By: Zen Hikers

Zen Hikers — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:32:26 +0000

Great post. I agree completely! X-Country was the No Depression channel I always dreamed of. So sad it is gone.

By: Da Goddess

Da Goddess — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:05:26 +0000

Just keep hoping and praying they come back around to original format and programming. If not, send them eel sandwiches with old mayo and gritty mustard.

By: bruce

bruce — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:29:57 +0000

I finally found the “menu” I think. Air America is gone. Sirius is going middle of the road, and cross country was too strong for the advertisers. What was that song? bleep you, we’re from Texas. Gone, gone, gone. Where will we ever hear the likes of it again?

By: bruce

bruce — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:59:46 +0000

Yep, for the most part, the news content has been watered down; fox business news reigns, cnn is gone?, but it may be that menues aren’t finalized. I’m not claiming it until its true. America Online is missing from the “news and talk” listings. And that’s why Justice Departments approve mergers, and don’t give me that redneck crap about markets dictating programming. X-M cross country had millions of listeners. I would’n't be surprised if there was a trucker’s strike.

By: bruce

bruce — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:30:58 +0000

I guess them boys in washington didn’t like hearing about them boys in oklahoma rolling their joints too long.