'50s Gold

The '50s on 5

Broadcast area	United States Canada
Frequency	Sirius XM Radio 5 DISH Network 6005
Programming
Format	1950s and early 1960s Music
Ownership
Owner	Sirius XM Radio
History
First air date	September 25, 2001
Technical information
Class	Satellite Radio Station
Links
Website	SiriusXM: '50s on 5

File:XM The '50s.JPG

Logo used prior to Sirius/XM merger on November 12, 2008.

The '50s on 5 (or just The '50s) is a commercial-free, satellite radio station on the Sirius XM Radio platform. It plays mostly Top 40 pop, doo wop, and rock and roll hits from the 1950s and early '60s, although they occasionally play historically signifficant songs from the late '40s and mid '60s. The channel broadcasts on Sirius XM channel 5, as well as on Dish Network channel 6005. As of February 9, 2010, Direct TV has dropped Sirius XM in favor of a new music service called SonicTap.

From 2001-08, the Program Director for XM's '50s on 5 was Ken Smith and its Music Director was Matt "the Cat" Baldassarri; both men were dismissed from the channel in October 2008 following XM's merger with former rival Sirius. On November 12, 2008, the '50s on 5 was added to the Sirius platform, replacing the Sirius Gold channel. Current on-air personalities include Norm N. Nite, "Cousin Brucie" Morrow, Pat St. John, Mike Kelly, Dave Hoeffel, and Jim Kerr.

Like the other decades channels, The '50s on 5 attempts to recreate the feel of 1950s radio. They use similar DJ habits, jingles, period slang, and news updates. The channel was also used for XM's annual pop music chronology, IT.

DirecTV Channel Lineup

DirecTV will start back carrying XM packages coming soon, XM 50's on 5 will be on DirecTV channel 802.

Program Schedule

In Eastern Time:

• WEEKDAYS

• 12:00AM–06:00AM: Music
• 06:00AM–12:00PM: Pat St. John
• 12:00PM–06:00PM: Dave Hoeffel
• 06:00PM–12:00PM: Ron Parker

• SATURDAYS

• 12:00AM–06:00AM: Music
• 06:00AM–09:00AM: Cool Bobby B's Doo Wop Stop
• 09:00AM–12:00PM: Jim Kerr
• 12:00PM–02:00PM: Mike Kelly
• 02:00PM–05:00PM: Rock On! With Norm N. Nite
• 05:00PM–09:00PM: Dave Hoeffel
• 09:00PM–10:00PM: Rockabilly Roadtrip
• 10:00PM–11:00PM: Pink & Black Days
• 11:00PM–12:00AM: Music

• SUNDAYS

• 12:00AM–06:00AM: Music
• 06:00AM–010:00AM: Music
• 10:00AM–03:00PM: Ron Parker
• 03:00PM–06:00PM: Norm N. Nite
• 06:00PM–09:00PM: Jim Kerr
• 09:00PM–12:00AM: Cool Bobby B’s Doo Wop Shop

Current Programs

• The Cool Bobby B Doo Wop Show - Devoted to doo wop and a capella harmony music.
• The Remember Then Hour - An hour each Saturday and Sunday dedicated to a corresponding date between 1956 and 1963, hosted by Norm N. Nite (from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio).
• Rockabilly Roadtrip - Featuring rockabilly music both old and new, hosted by Bruce Berenson.
• Pink and Black Days - A program of music and interviews, hosted by Memphis radio personality Alex Ward.

Former Programs

• Harlem - Hosted by Matt the Cat, this program was dedicated to late '40s and early '50s R&B.
• The Strip - Featuring the music of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and other "Rat Pack"-era performers.
• Moments to Remember - A weekend show devoted to the hit parade music of the early '50s, hosted by Bob Moke.
• Daddy Dave's Hollywood Diner - Featuring music and guest interviews with "Daddy" Dave Wood.
• Dancing in the Dark - Devoted to romantic adult standards.