Country Music Icon Willie Nelson Joins XM Satellite Radio to Relaunch Traditional Country Channel

XM Satellite Radio, the nation's leading satellite radio service with more than 6.5 million subscribers, announced today that country music legend Willie Nelson will join XM to launch "Willie's Place" (XM 13), XM's traditional country music channel, formerly known as "Hank's Place." In his new role as "proprietor" of "Willie's Place," Nelson will provide creative direction for the channel, as well as contribute exclusive programming to "Willie's Place" and other XM commercial-free music channels. "Willie's Place" will begin broadcasting July 10.

"I've been a fan of XM and Hank's Place since the very beginning. They put a lot of thought and hard work into making the channel sound as good as it does, so I feel privileged to be a part of it," said Willie Nelson.

"It's an honor to have an American music icon like Willie Nelson take the reins of our traditional country music channel," said Eric Logan, executive vice president of programming, XM Satellite Radio. "Like the channel itself, Willie embodies the heart and soul of country music. His involvement further underscores XM's commitment to country music nationwide with the most country channels and innovative content for country fans."

In addition to changing the channel name, XM is building new studios for "Willie's Place" in Carl's Corner, TX, located in the Willie Nelson's BioDiesel Truck Stop. "Willie's Place" will begin broadcasting live from Carl's Corner in 2007.

"Willie will be a great addition to the channel and I know we'll have a great time down in Carl's Corner," said Eddie Kilroy, on-air personality for Hank's Place.

This announcement comes just a few days in advance of Willie Nelson's Annual Fourth of July Picnic concert. XM will air Willie's legendary concert, now in its 33rd year, on its progressive country channel X Country (XM 12) Tuesday, July 4 from 12 noon until 12 midnight ET. XM on-air hosts Jessie Scott and Eddie Kilroy will broadcast live from the concert site at the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.

Variety to do entertainment news for Sirius Satellite Radio

Variety has reached a deal with Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. to do regular radio news reports on the entertainment industry from its offices in Los Angeles, the companies announced Thursday.

The reports will air several times an hour on Sirius' channel 150 on various topics that the longtime entertainment industry publication covers, including the movie business, TV and publishing.

Reporters and editors from Variety will produce the reports. Financial terms of the deal weren't disclosed.

"Variety chose Sirius as our partner because of its already strong credibility in the entertainment world and Sirius' ability to reach a national audience," editor-in-chief Peter Bart said.

Variety will update the reports throughout the day, with even more frequent updates during morning and afternoon drivetime periods as well as during peak news periods, such as Oscar season.

"There is clearly an appetite for news from the world of media and entertainment that is both timely and credible. It is our intention to get it first and also get it right," Bart added.

U.S. Open Golf Tournament to Air Live on XM Satellite Radio

Golf fans across the country can listen to comprehensive coverage of the U.S. Open on XM Satellite Radio this week, and spectators at the championship can pick up complimentary XM radios to hear the broadcast.

The U.S. Open will air live and nationwide on XM channel 146 from Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 18. The XM broadcast will mark the first time that the championship will be carried on satellite radio.

XM will air complete play-by-play coverage of the U.S. Open, pre- and post-round commentary, call-in shows, interviews with leading players, and on- site press conferences. XM's on-air team is currently broadcasting pre-event coverage from the Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, N.Y., the site of the U.S. Open.

Each day at the championship site, XM will provide 1,000 portable XM radios for spectators to listen to the broadcast for the day at no charge. The XM booth will be located at the U.S. Open merchandise pavilion Thursday through Sunday. Attendees can also opt to purchase a new XM radio.

"Spectators at the U.S. Open can pick up a complimentary XM radio for the day to hear what's happening throughout the course," said Kevin Straley, vice president of talk programming, XM Satellite Radio. "This is the first time that the U.S. Open has been broadcast on satellite radio, and XM is very excited to be bringing the championship to millions of people across the country."

Howard Stern finds "rebirth" on satellite radio

Shock jock Howard Stern is happy at last. Six months after he jumped from the FM dial to the unbridled world of satellite radio, the broadcast rebel who ranted for years at censorship, government regulators and corporate bosses has finally found contentment.

"I tell you I'm at complete peace. I've never had more fun in my radio career than I'm having right now," Stern said in a recent interview with Reuters. "It's like a rebirth."

But the maverick long given to frequent fits of on-air rage insisted his contrarian edge remains intact despite breaking free of the Federal Communications Commission and settling a nasty legal feud with former overlords at CBS.

"I'm not some happy, smiley guy who goes into the studio every day (and says) 'Oh wow! Today's a beautiful day, and there's nothing bad to be said,"' Stern said. "I'd have to go through a lot more psychiatry before I could change the persona of negativity that I live in."

Much of his negativity over the years stemmed from battles with the FCC over his raunchy brand of humor. A pioneer of comedy bits like "Lesbian Dial-a-Date" and "Stripper Jeopardy," Stern stunned the broadcast industry in October 2004 when he announced he was leaving terrestrial radio for satellite.

Stern complained then that he had grown especially frustrated by the government's crackdown on sexually explicit content since Janet Jackson bared her breast on live television during a Super Bowl halftime show.

After fulfilling the last 14 months of his CBS Corp. contract, Stern debuted in January on Sirius Satellite Radio under a five-year deal valued at $500 million.

The Jason Ellis Show

The question is this: Will Jason Ellis be able to sit still long enough to host his daily SIRIUS radio show? The go-go daredevil of professional skateboading, motocross and the truly scary business of television sports commentary is now on Team Faction. Jason will talk with celebrity guests from his many worlds of expertise and crank up the music that inspires him to ride the Mega Ramp. Listen at your own risk!

Satellite radio bleeds into the FM dial

The Sirius Satellite Radio broadcasts of shock jock Howard Stern are reportedly bleeding into some National Public Radio and Christian FM stations.

Surprised listeners are upset because Stern "isn't what they tuned in to (hear), Word FM Radio Network President Charles W. Loughery told the Baltimore Sun.

Engineers place the blame on badly installed, altered or defective equipment in the cars picking up the satellite signal on the lower level of their FM dials, the newspaper said.

The National Public Radio affiliate in Baltimore says it has sent 60 complaint letters to the Federal Communications Commission, which says it is investigating the problem.

An NPR official said there are also complaints of interference from XM Satellite Radio as well and he said both satellite network providers are working with NPR to try and solve the problem.

Dylan hosts new radio show

Showing yet another side in a long career, Bob Dylan is playing disc jockey, spinning smooth patter along with records ranging from Muddy Waters to Frank Sinatra as a radio station enlists more star power in the US satellite radio war.

In a preview recording of his show on XM Radio that debuts on May 3, the singer/songwriter/author is by turns playful and spooky, topical and historical, eager to share his favourite stories and records - and clearly having a ball.

Portable Satellite Radio? MP3 Player With News? All That, and a Recorder

Pioneer is best known for in-car stereos and speakers, but that doesn't mean it can't step out a bit.

The Pioneer Inno is a portable XM satellite radio and MP3 player that lets you listen to and even record XM content on the go.

The huge antenna can pick all of XM's 170 channels, and a gigabyte of built-in storage space allows you to record up to 50 hours of programming at any time.

The Inno has a full color 180-by-180-pixel display and weighs about 4.5 ounces.

The Inno also has an FM transmitter for playback on any radio, including a car stereo. Finally, there are sports and stock tickers for keeping abreast of the news while out and about.

Available in May at many retailers, the $399 Inno will require a monthly subscription to XM for $12.95. The Inno can also act as a stand-alone MP3 or Windows Media file player and is compatible with the Napster music service.

With satellite radio in your pocket, it may be time to turn in the portable FM radio.

America's Home For Christian Pop and Light Rock XM 32

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XM Classical Music

All the major forms of the classical repertoire, served up however you like in several focused channels. Find choices that provide sheer listening pleasure to fit any setting or mood: complete coverage of the classical spectrum, both instrumental and vocal, from the Renaissance to today. With live performances, informed commentary and guest interviews to deepen your enjoyment of classical music as a living art.