To assist in the production of their country channels, XM has hired the services of Eddie Kilroy, a former Nashville producer known for his work with Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Marty Robbins, and Faron Young among others. He'll have capable help in the name of Dan Dixon, a former on-air personality for WKKO, Toledo. Alternative country music is handled by Curt Mathies, drive-time host at WRVG, Lexington. They've added a bluegrass channel directed by Felton Pruitt, an on-air personality and MC for Hog Ranch Radio and the Strawberry Music Festival.

RUsirius.com invites XM country fans to comment on and to provide additional on XM's C&W lineup.  We'll be posting all appropriate information and commentary below.

A former X-Country fan says (posted 22 August 2003):

"This week I became an ex XM subscriber.  I am a fan of older country music, and I was initially excited about having a couple of channels that play my kind of music.  After the novelty wore off though, the poor quality of the programming on Hank's Place and America made me cancel.  Listening to the endless dedications and sounds of pouring beer made my blood boil when I realized I was actually paying to listen to this nonsense.   Not all fans of classic country music are truck drivers, smokers, or alcoholics, and I found many of the DJ's comments insulting (especially the 'sit back with a fine tobacco product' comment heard before every Merle Haggard song)."