Something new at SiriusXM

SiriusXM has some new channels, or at least new to me, that I happened upon during a recent trip to Central California. 

Most intriguing is arguably The 10s Spot on Channel 10, described as pop hits from the 2010s. What I find interesting about it is that I can’t figure out where its going, and that may be by design. Justin Timberlake, Drake, Fall Out Boy, Lady Gaga and the likes, of course, with a few country songs thrown in for flavor. What’s up next? You’ll never know. I like that.

Pandora Now on Channel 3 borrow’s my programming idea of getting into the services that younger listeners use to find songs to play on my station. It is described as “top-trending hits to the most anticipated new releases” and features current core artists as Cardi B, Post Malone, Khalid, and Dua Lipa; the difference from this and my idea is that I’d be using it to find new artists and not just new songs

Mosaic on Channel 15 plays “a colorful and diverse pop music collage from the 90s and 2000s” including Mariah Carey, Matchbox Twenty, Sheryl Crow, John Mayor, Gwen Stefani, and Kelly Clarkson. Sounds like KOST (103.5 FM). 

Channels 104 and 105 feature special programming from country and pop performers, respectively, on a varying schedule. For example, as I write this, 105 is running music from Prince; by the time you read this it may have switched over to the next featured artist: The Notorious B.I.G. 104 is running special programs for Country Pride, in commemoration of Pride Month.

Caliente on Channel 151 is where Latin music and culture meet … Salsa, bachata, and raggaeton in a mix that includes Shakira, J Balvin, Maluma, Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee and more.

And just in case you were worried that holiday music might not be available until November, SiriusXM online has you covered: Yes, Holiday Traditions continues all year on line. As I write this, they are playing The Christmas Song by Johnny Mathis … just the song for early June.

Catching up on all the mail …

“When I was in elementary school, I made a crystal set.  A good one. Had a 50 foot long copper wire in back yard, above the roof line. I remember being able to hear Del Rio Texas, WLS Chicago and KSL Salt Lake …  on a crystal set!!!  All clear channels.

“In 1971, I spent the summer in Anchorage Alaska. Just about dusk with car antenna up full (4 feet). With the engine off in my 1960 Dodge Dart, the 4 tube radio would pull in the Dodgers in Los Angeles… The signal would come in like waves: loud then soft … but amazing … maybe 2500 miles.

Here is my 1960 Zenith. No bike at age14, so travel was limited.  The night time radio took me to places all over America. Salt Lake, Chicago, Seattle, Texas, San Francisco.  The call letters were fascinating. My pal Phil taught me to send a DX card; a few stations politely sent me a Thank You card. Radio was everything, a time machine for me.” — Victor D’Agostino

I checked with Victor, who told me the radio still works … loud and clear, he says, a testament to the Zenith build quality. He tells me the faded sticker on the back reads “Made in America, by Americans for Americans”

“Do I enjoy radio?  Yes. Why? Because it offers a variety of informative and enjoyable programming that I can listen from almost anywhere and while doing something else.

“My path to radio began in the ‘60s while listening to KHJ music on my transistor radio. In the early 1970s, influenced by my Mom listening to Joe Pyne, Michael Jackson and others, I became a talk radio fan. Not only did I follow Michael Jackson, but whether from home or in my car, I’d listen to Dr. Toni Grant, Dr. David Viscott, and several cooking and money show hosts on KABC Talkradio plus LA Dodger baseball and LA Kings hockey games on whatever stations they occurred. 

“Today, I continue to enjoy a variety of shows (talk, music & sport) notably The Dennis Praeger Show; NPR broadcasts; and the KFI 640 lineup with The Tim Conway Jr. show topping my list.”  — Jeanie Harvey

“I was a KHJ fan in the 1960s … loved the Friday sign offs by Real Don Steele. I actually was so intrigued by radio that I seriously considered a career in radio.

I took a couple of classes at Fullerton College.  Did an interesting interview, as a class assignment, to talk with the station engineer at KWIZ..

“That’s when I figured out that it is a long road to the big radio markets like Los Angeles, New York or Chicago where the big money was. Not everyone was like Charlie Tuna, making the big time in a fairly short time. You would start in a very small market and not making very much money. 

“So I went another direction.  I went on to California State University, Fullerton.  Business degree. I am retired now, but I still enjoy the music from the ‘60s and ‘70s. — Bob Brown, Yorba Linda, CA

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