Bill Mack Leaves Sirius XM
The Bill Mack Show debuted on Sirius XM in early 2009, and was popular to country music fans and truckers. Bill Mack did announce that he is not retiring, and will once again reach the airwaves in some manner. In a note to his listeners Mack stated the following:
“There are a lot of rumors making their mark pertaining to my leaving Sirius-XM. Allow me to present the facts:
First of all, I was not fired by the company. There were some negotiations, but nothing was presented that sparked any interest for the future. As a matter-of-fact, negotiations were active until ten minutes before my final broadcast.
I did not exit Sirius-XM because of health issues. My health is super good, thank God. Cindy is also in great shape (wow!). My friend A.J., at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop in Fort Worth, informed us that there was also a rumor making the rounds stating that I had died!!!!! This, I can assure you, is an exaggeration!
I had hoped to remain with Sirius-XM for awhile. It was fun! However, after receiving details of the merger of Willie’s Place with the Roadhouse channel, I discussed things with Cindy and we agreed that it was time to make our exit. This does not apply to my good pal, Willie Nelson. We’ve been “sidekicks” for years … and that will continue! I also hope the new Willie’s Roadhouse is a success.
I also want to stress the fact the I am not retiring. Radio is still a “fun-game” to me. As long as I have a workable voice and enjoy being with my radio listeners (my broadcast “family”), I plan to remain in action. As I have stressed many times, my “listeners” are my bosses. I’ve always referred to those special people who allow me to be a part of their day (night) as being treasured friends! My job was to fulfill what they wanted to hear! That’s one reason we have always utilized the telephone, e-mail … and the post-office. Ignoring the requests/suggestions of those caring individuals would be an insult!
Keep viewing this website for our plans for the future. Some of those plans are already being put to deep study.
Right now, Cindy and I are playing more golf (she keeps winning!). We also think about our “radio family” on a daily basis. Yes, we miss you tremendously!
Please continue prayers for those serving us in the military.
God bless all of you! Cindy sends her love … with mine.”
When Sirius XM initially announced the Bill Mack show Scott Greenstein said, “”BILL MACK is a Country music radio icon and will fit in perfectly with his good friend WILLIE NELSON on SIRIUS XM’s WILLIE’S PLACE channel.”
The loss of Mack is certainly a blow to the country music side of Sirius XM’s programming, but the company is moving forward with content that is unparalleled. I would imagine that Mack will wind up doing a podcast or hooking onto a terrestrial radio station in the near future.
I miss the daytime show a great deal. I can’t imagine xm without Bill and Cindy. My subscription may be cancelled very soon!
Schmidt!!! Enjoyed the program as much as any on radio. Hope he comes back on.
I will not unsubscribe as there are too many other things i listen to. I will however, let some of the major advertisers know how upset I and many others are about the loss of Bill Mack and the blending of two channels. Given the number of channels devoted to rock and other music, I would think willies place could have stood on its own.
I have three cars with XM. The recent changes have not been for my benefit and I find the line up not any better than standard (free) broadcast. I will not be renewing my subscription(s) as a result of the changes made to Willies Place. It was the only place you could find decent Texas Country, and now its just another canned Nashville Product.
I’m sorry to hear this news. Bill Mack has literally sent thousands of people through Ernest Tubb Record Shop doors, not only in Ft. Worth but Branson, Pigeon Forge and our homebase in Nashville. Ernest Tubb loved Bill dearly. It would really hurt him to know of Bill’s exit as it has me.
serius/xm continues to make mistakes and my stock is now sold-thank goodness. I think chapter 11 is not too far off. looking forward to hearing you Bill from airways soon. OJS
common across the board at siriusxm. if your contract needs to be done….no raises. in fact…. lets go back to 1980 wages. i see it in business everyday.
Sirius/XM literally “Screwed the Pouch” by allowing Bill Mack to exit and the merger of Willie’s Place & Roadhouse. This action has caused myself & literally thousands of people who enjoyed a great program much grief. My subscription (both truck & car) will be cancelled.
My wife and I bought our XM radio subscription mainly for Willie’s Place, and Bill and Cindy Mack were wonderful on the show, made it come alive. We are very disappointed that they will not be a part of it. Negotiations should have been worked out, and Willie’s Place channel should not have been changed. We do listen to some other stations, but this was definitely our favorite. We will watch this website to see where you two will be next, as we already miss you on the show. We wish the best for you two fine entertainers, as you as a team were excellent entertainers.
What next…. maybe consolidate Siriusly Sinatra, Real Jazz, and Watercolors? They already axed one of the Jazz channels after the wonderful merger, leaving ONLY ONE! This company is not only greedy, but they are stupid beyond all comprehension. What hipocrites; they keep teeling everyone that content is king, yet they keep removing quality content, and replace it with crap. Consolidation means only one thing – less satellite radio for MORE MONEY!!! We live in a cut throat, selfish world, and these miserly, stingy, penny pinching bastards who mismanage Sirius/XM will never learn that the ONLY WAY you win over customers, and create positive word of mouth is to OFFER MORE FOR LESS! It’s what they promised us, but as soon as the merger was approved, they immediately went back on their word, and wasted no time eliminating some of the most cherished programs from the lineup. They should rename the company “Siriusly Screw M Radio”, because subscribing to it is no different than dropping the soap at the State Pen. I sometimes wonder if there is anybody in this company who has a conscience, or a thread of decency. If they had some real management in there, and even the tiniest bit of creativity and vision, there would be 25 -30 million subs by now. This company is being ruined by a bunch of idiots who have their heads up their fat, greedy asses.
Willie’s Place, with Bill and Cindy Mack, was our favorite XM Radio Channel. We listened to it 85% of the time. We are so upset, that since merging with Roadhouse, it isn’t the same type program we always listened to before. Especially, without the Macks. What was the reason you felt it had to be combined with Roadhouse?? The songs on Roadhouse, are a different generation of tunes, than what played on Willie’s Place. It doesn’t make us happy to have to listen to several songs, just to hear one of our old time favorites. I don’t write too often about this sort of thing, but this time I am. I doubt what I have to say, will make any difference to you. Maybe if enough people un-subscribe, when a very good radio program is messed with, you might think twice, the next time you get a bright idea like the Willie’s Place/Roadhouse Merge. Remember, listening to Satellite Radio isn’t free for us. We are paying to listen to what we like. If we can’t listen to what we like, why pay!! Maybe the Free Radio Stations, weren’t so bad afterall.
We have 4 radios in our trucks and we loved the old lineup, Bill Mack was a great station. The Midnight Rolling Truck stop is stupid. The truckers can call or talk to each other on their own phones. What do we care about what they have to say…we aren’t that bored.! BTW, the weather station is messed up too.
I have listened to Bill Mack since the early 50’s when he was at XERF in Mexico. I enjoy Willie’s Place on my XM but apparently will have to find another station I like now.
Bill am going to miss you big time.
i thought I was almost as old as dirt but Bill has me beat.
I miss Bill & Cindy… listened to them daily driving to pick up my great grandchildren from school. Their parents are both military “AF” and we appreciate your daily prayers for their service and safety! Come back! We love you!
What is up with these goofy people at sirius xm. Who pays their salaries?
Willies and 171 used to be my favorite channels. I can’t figure out why the stupid stuff that serves no purpose not only gets to stay on the air but is still getting a replay. Why don’t Nemo and Rutherford who gives us tools that can be used for our success have a replay?
Change can sometimes be a good thing but canceling these guy’s we have listened to for decades is like taking our family away.
Sirius/Xm,think about the truckdrivers that listen 10, 12, or more hours a day. Gosh you even changed the format of the only program that still played trucking music and then you had the nerve to start charging us music royalties. (ITS NOTHING BUT GREED) Greed will kill you eventually. Satelite radio is getting just like satelite tv, nickle and dime you to death and give you 100 channels of nothing.
Pandora radio on my I-Phone is totally free, I can listen to exactly what I want. From time to time they do have an advertisement but I have yet to hear one for a Gay or Spice radio channel. Go figure……
Hi Bill and Cindy. What a rotten bummer. We are two old farts who enjoyed “your” Country Music selections. What a shame that Willie did not stand up for you and fight to keep you on. We do not enjoy Dallas Wayne. He is very bland. Not much talking and more new age country. We grew up with the old farts in country music. I have seen so many of the old and great ones at shows and at the Opry. To old and to poor to do much of that and you were our connection to that. Cindy, keep this guy in line and continue to be the great lady you are. We miss you all. Darlene and George Glause, Vienna, OH..
Sunday Social was the best show on all of radio – broadcast or satellite.
Clinging to a Saving Hand is one of the very best gospel songs – especially the way Connie Smith sings it.
ITS all abought money bills salery was to high. THEY GOT SOME ONE CHEAPER. its all abought money fred
Bill and cindy had a great show and with good music. Some times I wantes to hear an old song played and less talk. Bill can not do any thing about XM. Do as I have done send messages to XM and complain. They have heard a lot from me. Good luck Bill with the golf game.
I will miss Bill and Cindy . its no wounder XM stock is down . X M just don’t care
Turned on the radio this morning and low and behold no Willies Place. Sorry to see it go Was only 1 of 4 programs My wife and I listened to while traveling in our RV. Big mistake to change to the new format. To put it bluntly! It sucks.
Well, i guess we all knew eventually some idiot would finally get in a position to ruin a good radio program.And thats exactly what happened when the removed Bill and Cindy mack. what you hear now is mostly garbage. I’ll definetly cancel soon as my contract is up for renewal. (I have three vehicles)
Miss you and Cindy,Bill,listend to you every day,pray for your return,Thanks,Jim
Why does it happen that when I really enjoy something the powers that be drop it. We really miss the “Sunday Social”
We miss the Bill Mack show, it was always interesting and entertaining. Sure hope you bring his show back.
Can not believe the changes made at Willie place, this could be a giant mistake, were are the new country stars of tradition country music going to have an outlet for there talent. the more you play this junk called country music today the less listener you are going to have,I guess the next thing is commericals on the music channels
Miss Bill and Cindys voice on my way home from work. The talk and laughs…
My husband Albert and I tuned in to Bill Mack often on XM 13, especially when we were on the road. We were shocked one day when he announced that the next day would be his last day on the air. We made sure we listened to that last show and will miss hearing him joking around with Sweet Cindy. Willie’s Roadhouse isn’t the same without his kind of classic country. We miss the theme and the anticipation of a great show. There are many disappointed fans of country music.
The Bill Mack Show was the second best on sirius/xm radio, second only to his Sunday Social. I really miss some of the songs he played. I probably would never heard of The Quebe Sisters Band if not for his show. I heard lots of beautiful music on his show ; some of which I remember from my younger days and a lot more that I may never have heard at all if not for him.I am giving serious thought to cancelling my subscriptions. My family has 4 XM subscriptions. I also have a lifetime Sirius subscription :I guess I will be stuck with that no matter what. PLEASE!!! BRING BACK THE BILL MACK SHOW AND THE SUNDAY SOCIAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoyed the Sunday social as well as Bill & Cindy during the week. I am very disappointed in the change. Considering cancelling my subscription. Sunday Social was the very Best.
I was very disappointed as well. I am not very happy with the playlist on the new combined Willie’s Roadhouse. I tried to listen to Bill whenever I could and thought he and Cindy were terrific. Unfortunately, my commute doesn’t give me many options for radio so I’m not cancelling my subscription, but it’s a real sore point.
I have listenened to Bill sinceI was a child. I am 58 and will listen to him where ever he goes. I miss hearing him and Cindy and about their family. May God be with you.
We alwys enjoyed the Sunday Social and the great gospel music. We made a special effort to go for a drive on Sunday morning so we could hear it. Recently took a trip and no Willie’s Place – no Bill Mack, no reason to listen to Sirius anymore. We always appreciate Willie and his efforts for the farmers and support of the military, but the new station, Willie’s Roadhouse” just has no personality.
Well this is just plain nuts letting Bill Mack go. The older I get the more I can see how this world has just plum gone crazy. Best of luck to Bill and Cindy.
Hi: Just wanted to say we miss him on Sirus and really looked forward to his daily show and the Sunday Show. Will look forward to him on the radio soon. Just hope we can get it here in Dripping Springs, Tx. Best Wishes to Bill and Cindy
I wish sirus xm would get rid of one of the really stupid trucking shows and put Bill Mack and cindy in its place, I like Bill Mac, trucking Bozo, Steve Sommers, the rest is mostly crap.
I totally agree but that would mean actually caring what the audience had to say. I will never ever listen to Willie’s Roadhouse because the merge sucks! Both channels deserved separate channels and the forced merging sounds exactly that which is forced.
I was a loyal listener of the Bill Mack Show when it was on “Willie’s Place” at SiriusXM Satelite Radio. I don’t find much that interests me on the new “Willie’s Roadhouse” line-up. I rarely listen to it now. It is just not the same. I believe doing away with “Willie’s Place” was a mistake, eliminating Bill Mack from the new line-up was a HUGE MISTAKE. SiriusXM needs to get Bill Mack back on the air as soon as possible – THERE IS JUST NO ONE ELSE LIKE HIM! I now listen mostly to traditional country stations on regular FM or the internet … not as good as “Willie’s Place” but better than the stuff offered on the new “Willie’s Roadhouse”.
I am really disgusted by the changes to Willie’s Place and did not continue listening after the changeover. I enjoyed Bill Mack’s daily show and the Sunday Social. I had listened to the Roadhouse but no longer at all. I think Willie’s Place viewers got the raw end of the deal. I am a native of Oklahoma who lives in Alabama but enjoyed the Texas/Oklahoma style of music that you couldn’t hear anywhere but Willie’s Place. The reason for my subscription. My husband and I were very disgusted by the change. In fact, many of my family and his canceled their subscriptions which is at least between 30 and 40 people I know of personally.
Add my voice to the many that are disappointed to see Bill Mack go. ( There a many you’ll never hear from , but, are not happy as well) I have been a trucker for many years and enjoyed and looked forward to listening to Bill Mack.You can only listen to music and the same old talk shows so long. Bill Mack was a refreshing break to the “same old same old”.
Not a good move Sirius!!
Please never stop broadcasting….Bill, you are the greatest. I worked with you at the old “Texas Stroll.” We had some great times and I never missed your show on WBAP unless I had to. Your interviews and knowledge made it all wonderful. I will keep up and hope to hear you back on the air somewhere soon.
Jerry
well it is a shame to see Bill go,now i can get rid of my radio and save some money. it is not worth having any more. bill was what made trucking fun.
I’m very sad to hear that Bill Mack is gone he was my favorite dj on sirius/xmradio Bill&Cindy made the miles go by and played all kinds of good music and made the listeners feel. Like fam
ily .
Bill,Cindy,Truman my wife n I want to say just five words PLEASE COME BACK,COME BACK We love n miss you dearly,well maybe that’s 11 words
Do miss the Bill Mack and Sunday Social hour ,enjoyed the music selections and commentary . Do not listen to that station as much anymore.
Hope Sirius XM is listening to our comments. Bill Mack, Cindy and Truman need to come back to Sirius. I don’t listen to my satelite radio as much as I used to. I so much miss the Bill Mack show, and especially the Sunday Social. \
As said on this website, sales dropped. Maybe because not as many people listen to satelite without Bill… Maybe Sirius XM needs to reconsider having the Bill Mack Show….
Since sales at SiriusXM were down, maybe it’s because you removed the Bill Mack Show.. You deffinately need to bring it back.
My husband and I listened to your show faithfully, my husband, Scott would take rides just to listen to the entire show by himself. He loved all of the talent and stories of how the entertainers worked for years to become famous.
bring back bill mack you keep playing the same thing over and over again
The Bill Mack show is missed big time.A person can only listen to oldies for a little while then it’s boring. Bill is not just a D.J. he is an entertainer. the music is no longer entertaining. As has been said .I find I listen to am and fm more all the time. I miss Texas swing.It was a keep awake program and I enjoyed it twice aday
Well, I finally know what happened to Bill Mack, and I am so, so disappointed by it. Kept asking my husband if he moved to another channel, and we kept trying to find him. We listened to him for days when we took a month long trip out west last year. It helped pass the time on the road..liked the interesting stories he and Cindy would tell. It made made for so much more than just listening to classic country; he and Cindy brought it to life and gave it character. We are planning another big trip, and the days just won’t be the same without him. We may cancel our subscription if we don’t hear about Bill coming back anytime soon.