This month we'll take a comprehensive look at Internet Broadcasting sites where Country Music is either featured or an equal part of the site with other genres. Most of these sites we've seen before at one time or another. Some of these sites feature a specific on-demand program and others feature live streaming. Please note that due to performance rights issues, the links will take you to the site where the program is featured and not directly to the program itself. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the music.
On Demand ProgramsRoughstock Country Countdown
Don Steel's weekly countdown show has been a Top Five site for some time. Although the site has undergone some changes over the years, it's still one of my favorites. Now using the title Roughstock Country Countdown, it can also be accessed at its original location, Internet Top 40 Countdown. Whichever access point you use, you'll be able to keep track of the top, fan-voted, "New Country" singles on radio. Don's expert patter weaves the listener from one song to the next.
The site makes use of RealAudio technology to diplay the title and artist of each song as it is played. My broadband connection got me streaming audio at 36.1 kbps for great quality. Keep this one bookmarked for when you've got the three hours required to get through the whole chart.
Grand Ole Opry
As discussed last month, the Grand Ole Opry broadcast is available from Yahoo! Broadcast. You can listen live on either Friday or Saturday night even if you can't pick up WSM-AM from Nashville. And if you're busy or you forget, you can access their archive and listen to the program at a later date. Using your choice of RealAudio or Microsoft Windows Media Player, you can listen to the program streamed at 20.7 kbps. Bookmark this one for great Classic Country mixed with today's hottest stars.
Spirit Of The West
Heard throughout Western Canada on a variety of AM and FM radio stations, Spirit of the West is a syndicated radio show that can also be accessed from the Internet. This RealAudio-based program will stream at 20.0 kbps. It features contempoary and traditional music of the west; conversations with working cowboys, ranchers, horse trainers and vets; horse training advice; cowboy poetry; and news from the rangeland. While you're listening, surf through the other sections of CowboyLife.Com. This may not be everyone's cup of tea, but it's quality listening.
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