Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Sparkle Gone Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Tonight on a very special episode of Music City Roots... Really looking forward to tonight's benefit show for Tommy Womack.  A rare Nashville area appearance of Jason and the Scorchers, Webb Wilder and the Beatnecks, Will Kimbrough, Dan Baird and more guests... If you can't be there, you can watch the livestream.

After that it is Aaron Lee  Tasjan, Nellie Clay, John Calvin Abney, and Levi Parham at The 5 Spot- where conveniently, the Roots bus will drop me off.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Never Chew a Pickle Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


ICYMI - check out the exclusive premiere of Mark Robinson's "Gone South (Electric Rock)" Video.

It is a rainy day in Nashville... You know what I like on a rainy day?  Music!

Monday, September 28, 2015

#E2TG Exclusive Video Premiere: Mark Robinson Band "Gone South (Electric Rock)"



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


A couple of weeks ago, the shuffle gods were in our favor, and "Gone South (Electric Rock)" by Mark Robinson came up on my shuffle the same day that his new two-sided single was released.  We had originally added the official video to our playlist but due to a technical problem (You Tube ate the video, I think), we had to replace the video with the song/picture video.  However, thankfully, we have been given another shot....

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Used to Fall Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


We plunge on into another work week... Today - as often we do, we have a wildly diverse shuffle filled with music that no one in their right mind would put into the same mix of songs... Which seems a good time to remind you that the song selections and ordering is always done randomly by the shuffle function of my music player... (To be fair, however, I do pick the songs that go into the overall playlist from which the shuffle function draws)....

Friday, September 25, 2015

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - Every Dollar in the US Mint Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Heritage Blues Orchestra with Special Guest Keb Mo
 
 
Took in a great show last night at the historic Franklin Theatre in Downtown Franklin, TN.  The show marked the first ever Nashville area appearance of the Heritage Blues Orchestra from New York City. Their music incorporated traditional Blues tunes with some jazz-inspired arrangements to create a very diverse and fun night of music.  The guitar work of Junior Mack was outstanding, the vocals were out of this world.  Special Guest Keb Mo was incredible.
 
 
To close out the week, we have pretty cool Featured Friday shuffle that is a good mix that includes songs sent to me by some of the most consistently awesome publicists from whom I get music along with some awesome songs from of the immensely talented friends I've made on this journey of music and life.

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Critical of Comedy Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Went out for the first time since Americana last week. Visited Twin Kegs II which is located just 4 minutes from where I live. I don't know what I had never been there before. Neat place.  Saw some great songwriters including the brother of someone from the show Nashville, and a tremendous young writer from Sydney who was celebrating the release of her new album, Love and Lovely Lies . Her name is Imogen Clark. 

We have another fine shuffle with some of those odd connections that seems to happen all the time when you closely follow music and the people who make it.

Wednesday, September 23, 2015

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Eyeballs on My Knees Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Still kind of reeling from AMA Week (plus catching up on things like errands and laundry etc.).  About time to get out again, though.

In the shuffle...

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Change Your Shirt Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

One of the outstanding things about Americana Fest is that it brings people from all over the world who are dedicated to making and appreciating the wildly diverse, enigma that is Americana Music.

Aussie songwriter/singer Imogen Clark came to town for Americana Fest last year, and she was invited back this year.  She is still in town and is putting on a release show for her EP Love and Lovely Lies at Twin Kegs II on Wednesday at 7:30.  Here is the link to the Facebook Event.

And here is a video so you know why you need to get there if at all possible.





To the shuffle:

Monday, September 21, 2015

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Like Monkeys Do Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Well, back to reality and back to our daily shuffle.  More recaps of AMA 2015 will be forthcoming. 

Suffice it to say, I had the time of my life - hearing tons of great music, seeing and meeting people, and sharing some once in a lifetime moments.

It is Monday and that means, I am back to work and we have a nifty shuffle to kick off the post-AMA hangover week...

Friday, September 18, 2015

#E2TG Takes on Americana Fest 2015 - Part II



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


So, sorry no update yesterday.  The pace of life tends to increase during AMA week...



Wednesday, September 16, 2015

E2TG Takes on Americana Fest 2015 - Part I



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


So.... I knew last night's Sin City vs. Guitar Town event at The Basement East was going to be pretty darn incredible, but really....


Sometimes your friends and your heroes share the same stage...


Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Amusing Bellydancers Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

So, I guess the sort of official AMA Fest things start today - or something like that, but last night things got off to an official and wonderful start with the Kevin Gordon CD Release Show at the City Winery- Nashville with Sarah Potenza opening.  You can read my review - here (currently on the front page of No Depression)

Tonight things get going in a pretty insanely good way with a throw down at the Basement East featuring so many people it is not even funny.  Doors at 7, Show starts at 8 with Campfire Propaganda (an amalgamation of killer songwriters all of whom I have raved about on E2TG). Don't be late...

Meanwhile, we have a shuffle....

Monday, September 14, 2015

Monday Morning Music Shuffle - Kicked Around Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Monday!  It is AMA week in Nashville... which means it is like a typical music week in Nashville on steroids. Welcome everyone visiting our fair city this week. 

The week got off to a rousing start with East Nashville Songwriters Club in loft at Mad Donnas on the East side.  Sammy Brue pretty much blew everyone away with a late addition opening slot.  He was followed by the regularly scheduled Brian Johannesen, Joshua Black Wilkins, and Kristina Murray who all absolutely killed!

Tonight is the Kevin Gordon CD Release Show at City Winery Nashville with Sarah Potenza opening and lots of special guests.

Let's get this week started right with a shuffle...

Friday, September 11, 2015

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle - The Whole Thing in the Middle Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


14 Years... I have read some really powerful things today about THAT day. What I remember is some sense of unity... if nothing else, for a moment or moments, many of us were united... if in nothing else, then in fear and confusion and uncertainty. In degrees and over time, that unity has mostly dissipated... into conspiracy theories and feelings about the events that followed about the need for security vs. the importance of freedom. I was at work, and getting my news in fits and starts on a slow internet connection and the radio. 

What I remember... I was taking part in an drama workshop put on by the Parks Department.  Of the course of the workshop, we learned acting techniques, but our main goal was to create an original production which would then perform.  If I recall correctly, the second class was on September 11, 2001. The class was held as scheduled, though I remember thinking it might be cancelled, and we spent much of that class talking about what had happened. It was a pretty diverse group of people and there were a variety of different feelings being expressed, and of course, the day ended up greatly shaping the production we created.  Our production included adaptions of Brecht's The Good Person of Szechwan and Beckett's Waiting for Godot - as well as some other elements - all subtly adapted to speak to the events of 9/11/2001.

I don't know what THE lesson of that day is supposed to be... maybe it's still too soon, or maybe there is not one lesson.  For me, today at least, I am going to try to remember how fragile life can be and make the most of every moment and treat people with as much kindness as I can.  I will probably fall short of that... I probably already have... but I am going to keep trying. 

Thursday, September 10, 2015

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - My Dark Sense of Humor Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

How goes it? A bit overcast here in Nashville with some cooler temps on the way...

Tonight is week 2 of David Olney's month-long residency at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  Interested to see what he has up his sleeves this week after last weeks excellent start.

Let's jump into the shuffle---

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Stain on my Notebook Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

It seems like the week has just begun, and yet here we are at mid-week.  Went out to The Bluebird Café last night for a great songwriters round. In an audience filled with people from Australia, Scotland, England, Poland, and other places, I got to see some of my favorite East Nashville songwriters perform some of their wonderful songs. Tim Easton hosted the night which featured Amy Speace, Darrin Bradbury, and Megan Palmer.

We have kind of short but sweet shuffle today... let's get to it.

Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - Here Comes the Night Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


We are back after taking yesterday off to celebrate Labor Day here in the U.S.   I have seen 8 different live performances since my last post. 

Sunday night at Foobar, I saw Ryan Dishen, Sioux City Kid, Adrian and Meredith Krygowski, and then long time #E2TG favorites Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray (full band).  I saw Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray back in July as a duo where they really stripped their songs down, and that was a fun show.  Here the band was tight and they blew the roof off the place. 

Last night, I headed out to The East Room for a show that featured three Nashville acts and one band from New York.  Toot Sweet from NYC opened the show. We featured them on Ear to the Ground before. They are part of the Mama Coco's Funky Kitchen collective, and thus became the first MCFK band that I have seen live. They were remarkable. Highly distinctive and original sound rooted in interesting older music in a style they call Cabaret Soul.  My good friends, Western Shore were next, and they delivered like they always do with their unique brand of Americana music.  The Wooly Mama's were next and delivered a high energy performance that was a lot of fun. The headliners were The Lonely Bastards who were celebrating and giving away copies of their new vinyl single.  I had seen them some time ago, and I remember that I enjoyed them, but it was good to be reminded of what I liked.

Tonight, Megan Palmer, Amy Speace, Tim Easton, and 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year, Darrin Bradbury are doing a round at the legendary Bluebird Café.  It will be Darrin's debut at the Bluebird, and is either a sign that Nashville is changing or else it is some other kind of sign...  either way, I am so proud of him.

Today's shuffle as well as the recent live performances I have seen have been further evidence that there is so much great much out in the world right now. The old music business may or may not be dying, and yes it is hard for band's to make money, and yet, every day, I discover and rediscover people who continue to make highly music and then put it out into the world.

Saturday, September 5, 2015

Saturday Afternoon Music Shuffle (Live Blog Event) - Who Knows What May Happen Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


Welcome to Saturday, and a ultra rare Saturday shuffle - live blogging experiment.  Enjoy...

3:09p.m.   Hit Shuffle

Friday, September 4, 2015

Featured Friday Morning Music Shuffle- Tray Tables Up Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

Well, it is FRIDAY!  Not only that, but I have a three day weekend ahead of me.  Some prelims before we get to the Featured Friday Shuffle...

Last night was another absolutely astonishing night of music at The 5 Spot in East Nashville.  First, it was week one of David Olney's September Residency. As always, the songs were fantastic and the band was tight.  Besides his usual band (Justin Amaral drums, Daniel Seymour bass, and Sergio Webb guitar), Olney was joined by Ward Stout (who played other stringed type instruments).  The highlight for me was when Olney played is signature song, "Deeper Well" and wrapped the song around a mind-blowing mashup of Bo Diddley and "Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

The late show at the Spot began with Reno Bo who was joined on guitar by Sadler Vaden (Jason Isbell's guitar player).  Then, Jesse Lafser played a spirited set that impressed me greatly.  The night ended with a magical jam that features Cordovas and featured Joe Firstman (who was at one time the band leader on Last Call with Carson Daly), Audley Freed (Black Crowes, Sheryl Crow), Steve Gorman (Black Crowes), and the always amazing Brian Wright.  Late in the set, Firstman turned over his bass to guest Pat Sansone (Wilco). The band performed an absolutely killer version of Neil Young's "Cortez the Killer", and then Firstman called up another guest, Jewel who joined the band for John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery".  An awe-inspiring end to a great night of music.

Other news, Nashville singer-songwriter Kevin Gordon released his new album, Long Gone Time today.  You should buy this album, but if you need convincing, you can check out my review which is up on No Depression.

Finally, an update on WXNA, the new low-power community radio station being created here in Nashville.  There are just 4 days left to donate and be a part of making this thing a reality.  Details below:





Well, I've run on a bit haven't I... we still have a shuffle to present....

Thursday, September 3, 2015

Thursday Morning Music Shuffle - Struggle in Dark Corners Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

So last night - on my way to see Jon Latham play a killer set at The 5 Spot opening for Cody Brooks, who I saw for the first time and was blown away by - I encountered an overturned car (I hope everyone was okay), a slow moving train, and a couple of trucks inexplicably parked in the middle of the road.  But I made it and it was worth it.  I then resisted peer pressure and went home an wrote a review of an album that is coming out tomorrow.  I should have the review posted tonight or so, and I will let you know...

Tonight 90,000 people are supposed to descend upon downtown Nashville for several different events going on.  My advice - stay out of downtown and instead cross the river for week one David Olney's September residency at The 5 Spot. Last years, residency was absolutely incredible (one show began with a dramatic recitation of Kubla Khan for goodness sakes!). What will happen this time around? To quote Mr. Olney, "You never know."

Today's shuffle only contains 6 songs, but man oh man...

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Wednesday Morning Music Shuffle - Down do be do do wop a do do wop a do do wop Mix



Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!


We move confidently into the middle of the week, and step one day further into this September. 

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Tuesday Morning Music Shuffle - More Sand in the Glass Mix


Be sure to "Like" Ear to the Ground on Facebook!

A new month is upon us!  September should be a pretty crazy month around these parts.  Buckle up!  We start the month with some old favorites and several bands/artists making their first ever #E2TG appearances.  I am pressed for time so I will keep my witty repartee to the bare minimum.