New SiriusXM studios open in Austin, TX with Willie Nelson

October 12, 2012 marked a colossal date for many people in the music industry.
It is the grand opening day of the new SiriusXM studios in Austin, TX where Willie’s Roadhouse, Outlaw Country and Margaritaville is now airing from, and was it ever a GRAND OPENING!!

Samantha Bowman from SiriusXM out of New York, NY put together a piece of history that will not soon be forgotten in the minds of many music industry professionals, radio industry professionals and musicians.
Upon walking into the grand opening party, I ran into none other than Johnny Bush and shook his hand and gave a quick howdy as they escorted me (Rowdy Tijmes) and Carlton Pride (Charlie Pride’s son who has a reggae band called Carlton Pride and Mighty Zion) into the new studios.

I was there on behalf of the Roots Music Report. Roots Music Report is where many SiriusXM radio DJs submit their playlist to because other “traditional” submission companies do not offer the exact genres that we do. Hundreds of radio stations around the world submit their playlist to us where we then take it and submit it online and to magazines worldwide. I was also there on behalf of my syndicated outlaw country radio show, the Rowdy Radio Show (www.rowdyradioshow.com)

Back to the un-forgetful event, Carlton Pride and I make our way into the studio where we say hello and speak to longtime friend Dallas Wayne (the main DJ for Willie’s Roadhouse) about how he likes the new studios and how long he has been waiting for this day. I am sure he has been because I remember seeing him in the old studios located in Carl’s Corner (where Willie had many 4th of July picnics in the ’80’s and started selling his BioWillie Bio Diesel fuel), which is located in North Texas and Dallas was commuting to bring the world Willie’s Roadhouse and Outlaw Country (SiriusXM Ch. 56 & 60 respectively) all the way from Austin, TX! The new studios reminded me of the studios at Carl’s Corner because, as Dallas stated, “It’s actually half of the same studio.” After saying our hellos to Dallas and talking for a minute amidst what was soon going to be a lot of commotion, Dallas excused himself as he had to give a press conference with honorary members, Willie Nelson and the mayor of Austin, Lee Leffingwell. We headed outside with Dallas where there was a madhouse of people and media from around the country. The stage for the the speech? It could not have been positioned any better as it was about twenty feet from the Willie Nelson statue located in downtown Austin on 2nd street (now named Willie Nelson Blvd. and also where the studio is located).
Everyone was waiting for the legendary cowboy with the pigtails to come walking outside to talk about his new shiny studios for Willie’s Roadhouse. But first, the mayor of Austin, Lee Leffingwell, wanted to say a few words of how proud he is that SiriusXM chose this location at the bottom floor of the Austin City Limits building for their new location and how great it will be for the city and visitors alike. SiriusXM set up the studios so you can visit the studios and look inside to the DJs working and the interviews that are happening. About five minutes later, here comes Willie Nelson with his entourage leading him up to the small stage with the SiriusXM backdrop behind him. It is there where he answered a few questions from the media, took some photos and gave his big grin smile to the crowd as he and so many other people were all so happy to be there. They ended the media finale with a few photos of the mayor, Willie and Dallas Wayne in hugs and big grins as they knew this moment was the embarkation of a new beginning. One that can be felt while tuning into Willie’s Roadhouse and hearing Dallas talk about all the great musicians that he plays on the show as well as the new, up and coming country musicians that are inspired by and carry on the Willie tradition.

And of course, after the media frenzy, we all had to get on air and joke around with Willie and have a good ol country radio lovin good time! Tune in to Willie’s Roadhouse (Ch. 54), Outlaw Country (Ch. 60) or Margaritaville (Ch. 24) and listen to the DJs broadcasting out of this new state-of-the-art studio located in the Austin City Limits building, or stop on by the corner of Willie Nelson Blvd and Lavaca in downtown Austin and give a howdy or a hello.

Also, tune in to hear some interviews and great outlaw country on the largest syndicated outlaw country radio show, the Rowdy Radio Show. Find out where you can tune in here: www.rowdyradioshow.com