Sunny Sweeney Lands SiriusXM DJ Spot
Sunny Sweeney is starting a new gig. And don’t worry, it doesn’t mean she’s ending her old one as a badass performer of country music. Getting ready to release a new album on September 23rd called Married Alone, this week Sunny Sweeney also launched a brand new radio show on Sirius XM’s Willie’s Roadhouse channel. Called Sunny Side Up, Sunny Sweeney is now officially Willie’s Roadhouse weekday morning DJ, manning the airwaves from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm Eastern Monday through Friday.
With deep amounts of experience in the music industry over the last many years and an obvious love for actual country music, Sunny Sweeney seems like just about a perfect fit for the job. “I do not take lightly the history of country music,” she assures. “I would have never in my wildest dreams thought I would be able to say ‘Willie Nelson is my boss. I’m looking so forward to being a small part of everyone’s mornings.”
Sunny Sweeney joins Asleep At The Wheel frontman Ray Benson, Ranger Doug from the beloved Western group Riders in the Sky and the Time Jumpers, country music legend Jeannie Sealy, the “Mayor of Music Row” Charlie Monk, recording artist Dallas Wayne, and Willie Nelson’s daughter Paula Nelson as Willie’s Roadhouse DJs. The channel (#59) is also where the Grand Ole Opry is broadcast on satellite every Tuesday and Saturday evening. Sunny Sweeney has appeared on the Opry nearly 60 times in her career.
Though the show will broadcast in the mornings, as we’ve seen with other SiriusXM DJs, Sweeney will be able to pre-record her show when she’s on the road, so it won’t necessarily preclude or impinge on her touring. As some have pointed out, compared to SiriusXM’s Outlaw channel, Willie Roadhouse has a significantly smaller playlist of songs, and rarely plays newer material. It will be interesting to see if Sweeney can instill a bit of new blood and fresh perspective into the channel’s playlist. This might be part of SiriusXM’s calculus by adding Sweeney to the mix.
Meanwhile, Sunny Sweeney has a new single of her own in “A Song Can’t Fix Everything” with Paul Cauthen, who produced her new album Married Alone. She continues to move forward with her performing career, just now with Sirius XM DJ as part of her resume.
June 29, 2022 @ 9:15 am
What happened to that Isbell article? Realize it was a bad idea?
June 29, 2022 @ 9:43 am
The Jason Isbell article addressed some very important topics. Obviously, I chose to (attempt) to use humor in part to make those points, and in a moment where apparently there is no appetite for humor. There was actually a decent amount of people who understood what was happening and appreciated it. But there was also a large and vocal contingent that did not. I don’t care if anyone was offended by the article. But it seemed that some people just found it stupid and unfunny, and it was going to be an unnecessary distraction, and ineffective in its outcome. So I deleted it. I’m not too proud to take an L. And now I will get to be criticized for being a pussy. In some 7,400 articles published here, this was only the 2nd I deleted. I still plan to address the points raised in the article, just hopefully in a more salient and effective manner in the future.
June 29, 2022 @ 9:50 am
Thanks for the explanation. In the words of Billy Bob Thornton from Bad Santa, “They can’t all be winners.”
June 29, 2022 @ 9:53 am
What was the first one you deleted?
June 29, 2022 @ 11:59 am
a description of his lost weekend in ’74, where he hooked up w/ Ronstadt, and was the inspiration for her cover of “You’re No Good” on Heart Like a Wheel. [just kidding]
June 29, 2022 @ 10:58 am
I’m bummed I missed it. And I’m guessing, like at least half your readers, I would have found it humorous. If you’re waiting for the “appetite for humor” to return to the other half, it’s probably not going to happen.
June 29, 2022 @ 5:10 pm
“Obviously, I chose to (attempt) to use humor in part to make those points, and in a moment where apparently there is no appetite for humor. There was actually a decent amount of people who understood what was happening and appreciated it. But there was also a large and vocal contingent that did not.”
Fuck the “large and vocal contingent.” Those are the people that enjoy having a stick protruding from their asshole then bitch about it being there.
They have zero sense of humor and are too stupid to deal with.
June 29, 2022 @ 7:06 pm
Only problem is it wasn’t funny
June 30, 2022 @ 6:25 am
It is if you understand how ridiculous Isbell looks with his criteria for choosing opening acts.
Hint: it’s not based on talent.
June 30, 2022 @ 8:45 am
Sure it was. You just didn’t find it funny.
June 30, 2022 @ 9:17 am
I’m sure he looks ridiculous to the enthusiastically anti-woke set that so want him to be seen as ridiculous. And based on my one reading of it, I think this article would have been great sport for them.
The only one of his his openers this year that I’m familiar with is Leyla McCalla. Anyone who thinks that she is unworthy is either a poor judge of talent or doesn’t known who the hell she is. I’m familiar with all of last year’s openers and the only head scratcher for me was Mickey Guyton. Without question a great singer, but pop country with a good amount of exposure already and I questioned her appeal to roots music fans. But I thought it was great that he gave the great blues powerhouse Shemekia Copeland a slot.
October 20, 2022 @ 6:27 am
You need to have a novality song show play songs like toot toot and one hot wanders keep up the good work
February 22, 2024 @ 10:11 am
Well now I really want to read that rascal. But I understand your reasons for taking it down. All best.
June 29, 2022 @ 9:25 am
I watched a few of her early pandemic streams and she seemed to me to be pretty witty and fun. I’d listen if I had it.
June 29, 2022 @ 9:38 am
Sunny Sweeney has a great sense of humor and timing and of course her musical chops she is a great addition to the station.
June 29, 2022 @ 9:45 am
Did the site get hacked with that Jason Isbell article earlier today? Wtf was that?
June 29, 2022 @ 10:22 am
Your previous last two articles only have 2 and 6 comments. Give the people what they want, bring back the Isbell article. We promise to be nice to Charley Crockett
June 29, 2022 @ 10:54 am
Yes, nobody wants substantive music coverage, and troll commenters have scared many commenters away.
June 30, 2022 @ 5:25 am
You definitely have an over-inflated sense of influence. There is not much to comment on the regular articles. And I’ve perused the comment sections on articles from 5-10 years ago. Not much as changed. And a comment section is just that, a comment section. I don’t know anyone who judges the merit’s of an article based on the comment section. Who in their right mind thinks the author is responsible for commenters. And I’m still confused as to how pointing out how Charlie Crockett sings off-pitch on his album, is a troll.
June 30, 2022 @ 7:16 am
” I don’t know anyone who judges the merit’s of an article based on the comment section.”
Dude, you’re the fucking one that brought up the amount of comments on articles in an attempt to discount them.
“Your previous last two articles only have 2 and 6 comments. Give the people what they want.”
I work an average of 72 hours on the website each week. I’ve been doing for going on 15 years. I’ve published over 7,400 article. I know this fucking website, if nothing else. And if I say that troll comments are scaring off other commenters, it’s because it’s true. I have access to data and channels of communication you don’t. And the only thing more annoying than reactionary troll comments, are comments about comments, and you’ve left four more of them in this comments section before 9 am that have absolutely nothing to do with Sunny Sweeney. As I continue to say, I try to keep these comment sections open, and I do encourage dissent. But the fact that you continue to go off on tirades from my simple request of, “Hey, let’s try to not be so negative all the time” as some sort of rebuke speaks to your incessantly negative and divisive attitude.
Contribute, or move on.
June 30, 2022 @ 5:28 am
Directly implying that people are discouraged from reading your regular articles (with under 10 comments already) because of the comment section on an article with Morgan Wallen, CC, or another other topic that is more controversial/engaging, is just plain silly. If you’re butt-hurt that people don’t agree with you, just say that.
June 29, 2022 @ 10:52 am
Good for Sunny!!! Anyone (like Jake above) whose watched any of her streams pandemic and others knows she comes across as fun, personable, and loveable. My favorite Sunny story and she knows this……….she was playing a bar in bum fuck Freeport, IL and she finishes the set goes out a glass side door for a quick “breath of fresh air” and gets locked out. Meanwhile there’s 20 people deep in the merch line and I’m watching all this from a few tables away….lol So I go let her back in, give her a quick fist bump and say great show got a long drive home. I don’t have Sirius XM but I’m looking forward to Married Alone and the Fitzgerald’s show here in July. Sun is one of a kind!!!
June 29, 2022 @ 11:00 am
I have seen Sunny Sweeney several times, beginning in 2016 at Threadgill’s, so I’m happy for her. I listen to Willie’s Roadhouse a good bit already. I’ll admit that I don’t understand why someone who loves country music as much as Sunny Sweeney obviously does chose to work with Cauthen, who was quoted by Rolling Stone recently: “Texas singer Paul Cauthen says most country music today is “fucking boring.” He’s out to change that with big beats and even bigger boasts.”
I’m sorry I missed the Isbell deal. I’m sure I’d have enjoyed a laugh at his expense.
June 30, 2022 @ 6:41 am
I’ve been listening to Sunny’s show all morning and it’s great stuff! The last few songs were from Don Gibson, Dean Martin (I was always a fan of his country crossovers, but don’t hear them very often), Patsy Cline, Burl Ives, Vern Gosdin, and Ronnie Milsap.
July 1, 2022 @ 9:01 am
That’s great. My biggest problem with Willie’s Roadhouse over the years was not the limited playlist, but that it was the only SXM channel playing ’60s and ’70s country music yet it wasn’t playing much from anyone other than Willie, friends of Willie, and artists whose style was to Willie’s liking. Playing more Johnny Bush titles than Eddie Rabbitt titles just isn’t representing the two decades of country that the channel is supposed to play exclusively, whether you like Rabbitt and his type or not. Viva variety, viva Sunny!
July 1, 2022 @ 10:02 am
My very favorite radio show is Ranger Doug’s Classic Cowboy Corral, which is just an hour a week.
I find that if I “binge listen” to any one channel for very long, it starts sounding repetitive after a while, so I try to change it up.
I listen to Willie’s Roadhouse and Outlaw Country and occasionally the bluegrass channel, Prime Country, Dwight Yoakam’s channel and random others. Plus, I’m very lucky to be in an area with good local radio stations like KOKE FM in Austin and KNBT in New Braunfels and many more.
June 29, 2022 @ 3:54 pm
I listened to her today, very enjoyable.
June 29, 2022 @ 5:14 pm
After being in the car for hours today, I hope Sunny Sweeney does a better job as a DJ than Kellie Pickler on the Highway. Kellie is a personality that needs to be seen to appreciate her voice and personality. Her lack of ease, storytelling about the artists rambling might rank her as most annoying radio personality on radio.
June 29, 2022 @ 7:12 pm
Seeing Pickler isn’t much better. Her ship that never came in has sailed a long time ago.
June 29, 2022 @ 5:41 pm
Sunny is a terrific live performer. Shes a great representation of true honky- tonk music, and her current band is smokin’. Fiddle, steel and telecaster! Willies Roadhouse could use an expanded playlist for sure, hopefully she brings value to this.
June 30, 2022 @ 2:26 am
Congrats to Sunny! I got to see her once on the road and hope to again. Love her music. I think she’ll be a natural fit for this job and wish her the best! I may just have to get Sirius XM back. I had it when it was just Sirius and enjoyed a lot of the music and talk programming then.
June 30, 2022 @ 4:59 am
Sunny should be a great addition with her humor and overall great personality. I unfortunately won’t be listening. I have gotten a few free Sirius subscriptions with car purchases over the years, but never listened enough to keep it once the subscription ended. Congrats to her though, and to those who have the service.
June 30, 2022 @ 5:59 am
You wouldn’t even post my comment asking if you really thought Hawaiians (steel guitar originators) were Asians. You are either a closet racist, ignorant or a pussy. I fully expect you to not post this comment either, despite you having no issue calling me a troll
June 30, 2022 @ 8:18 am
@Eric,
“You are either a closet racist, ignorant or a pussy.”
You are the pussy.
Here mouthing off.
Throw your real name out there, big man.
Just because you’re using yet, another handle – doesn’t mean a lot of us don’t know who this is.
Wishing Sunny, all the Best.
June 30, 2022 @ 10:22 am
Throw my full name out on the comment section of a website where the main author operates under an anonymous handle? Yeah me adding some words in parenthesis was seriously meant to throw ya’ll off the trail (sarcasm)
June 30, 2022 @ 10:42 am
When you are hurling insult, after insult, after insult, yes, that is exactly what i mean.
You have been coming after the owner of this website for a long time.
Unveil yourself. Perhaps that will help you with the incredible angst you have.
Not saying this in a mean spirited way.
In the meantime, most of us are very happy with this website, & Trig.
He introduces us to some very cool musicians.
Doesn’t mean we don’t get down in the dirt & kick up some dust, now & then.
But there’s a way to go about it.
Lighten up, for your sake. Time to let go of your anger.
June 30, 2022 @ 11:05 am
No. You don’t have to read my comments. I don’t value your opinion.
July 1, 2022 @ 5:15 pm
I have definitely posted about when I disagree with something wrote here and he has approved everything and usually responds. I’m not trolling or off topic though.
June 30, 2022 @ 5:18 pm
Sunny was part of radio show on NASH FM several years ago with Terri Clark and Chuck Wicks, no this aint her first radio rodeo. Anyone whose has ever seen her perform or met her in person loves her! Go Sunny! Good luck!!
July 1, 2022 @ 7:44 am
Get Jamie Lin Wilson a podcast at least
July 20, 2022 @ 6:14 am
Sunny made me late for work today… Jerry Reed, Melba/Charlie, and J-Rod back to back would not let me get out of the car to walk in the office. The goods delivered.
August 6, 2022 @ 3:06 pm
I love listening every morning, it’s my wake up to the day but I cannot stand all the extra commentary from Sunny. I’m there for the music and not someone who seems to love to listen to the sound of their own voice a lot!
As a performer she is great, as a dj I am not a fan.
August 26, 2022 @ 1:48 pm
Love when I tune in and Sunny is on the air! She’s witty, bright and quite knowledgeable about the topics she talks about. She’s is a breath of fresh air for Willie’s Roadhouse and definitely a keeper!
September 20, 2022 @ 2:44 pm
Love the song Married Alone. Kind of hits home. Thank you for the song. Enjoy your morning show. Good selection of songs. Enjoy the variety of artist you play. Some I have not heard in a long time.
Thanks,
Mouse
January 17, 2023 @ 8:46 am
Sunny You wanted a recipe for rainbow stew. I googled it and found it. I hope this helps you.
April 11, 2023 @ 5:41 am
Agree 100% with comments made by Elaine Culey!!