News

Sirius Satellite Radio is concerned about The Bottom Line. Not the company's profitability, but the venerable Greenwich Village music cabaret, which has suffered since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Since that fateful day, the club's business has fallen off to the point that it was facing eviction by its landlord, New York University. In September, Sirius stepped in with an offer to provide financial support to help the club continue operating. "Sirius has pledged funds to help the club with past obligations and future expenses," according to a September 24 press release. The satellite service broadcasts the show Live From The Bottom Line to its subscribers several times a week. Its financial support stayed the eviction for at least 30 days, while a new lease is negotiated.

The Bottom Line also partners with WFUV, Fordham University's public radio station, to produce Required Listening, In Their Own Words, and other programs. "WFUV's partnership with The Bottom Line has been very important to the station, artists, and audiences in New York and beyond," said station program director Chuck Singleton. "We speak for the entire music community in our desire to see a resolution of this difficulty, so that there will continue to be a supportive home for intelligent songwriting on West Fourth Street."

Founded in 1974 by Allan Pepper and Stanley Snadowsky, the club has hosted artists such Lou Reed, k.d. lang, Stevie Wonder, Billy Joel, Jerry Garcia, and Bruce Springsteen, and has helped launch the careers of countless aspiring performers. "Stanley and I founded the club to showcase great music by artists young and old," Pepper stated. "I am gratified that Sirius shares my passion for live music…. I hope to continue the tradition for another three decades."

Sirius radio personality Meg Griffin initiated the drive to save the club. "Our goal is to help this historic club get back on its feet and do what it does best, showcase some of the music world's greatest names," she said. "The Bottom Line is too important a music institution to lose."

In other Sirius news, the satellite service announced September 25 that Fresno, CA–based Pana-Pacific will soon launch the "Streamer," a Sirius radio receiver specifically designed for long-haul truckers. Like other Sirius receivers, the Streamer delivers the service's 60 commercial-free music channels and 40+ news, sports, and entertainment channels, and displays channel numbers, artists' names, and song titles. What's different about the Streamer is that its buttons are large enough to allow truckers to operate it without removing their gloves. It also features an alarm clock with sleep timer, and can be used with a docking station in home stereo systems. The product will hit the market in October via OEM truck dealers and at truck stops nationwide, with prices beginning at $109.