Thursday, March 31, 2016

Deep Thoughts with E2TG



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My mind has been a swirl of thoughts lately. Being a writer by design, my best way to sort through them all is to write them down.  And since, I have this blog, I thought I would use this space to share some of those thoughts.  Much of this is about or relate-able to music. Some might not be... whatever... there's probably a song in there so I guess it is all about music....


Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Tommy Said So Mix



I have a lot on my mind, and I kind of feel an extended non-shuffle post coming on - when I have the time. 

If you have not done so, I recommend watching the video of Michael Stipe singing "The Man Who Sold the World" on Fallon. 

In short, the thoughts in mind are about the concept of limitations vs. the infinite.  They are about the road to peace that is sometimes harder to walk but ultimately worth the extra effort. About the music "industry" and the value of art.  About the "latest next big thing" vs. the really cool thing that may or may not someday be the "latest next big thing" but regardless is pretty amazing right in this moment. 

It's all kind of jumbled in my mind, and for me the only way to unjumble it (or at least the best way) is for me to write it all down.  Anyway, some jumbled thoughts may be coming.

Facebook controls what posts you see and even sometimes what pages you "like". This is why I #Crosspost links to this blog on both the E2TG Facebook Page and on my personal page.   If you want to follow E2TG on Facebook, click the link give us a "Like".  Even if you think (or know) that you "liked" us, go ahead and click the link and make sure you still do "like" us. Or don't.  That's cool, too. Not as cool, but it's cool.

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People sometimes ask me, "How old does a song have to be to appear on "Throwback Thursday".  Usually, I just say, "Interesting question..." and wander off..  Really, though, it's impolite to ask a song how old it is, so let's just say the songs on this playlist are all of a "certain age".

Shuffle:

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Snoopin' 'round My Door Mix



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I ain't gonna lie, it's been a rough week...  Music helps.  Music always helps. 

Here is our "Wild Wednesday" shuffle that lives up to the name and the concept.  This week's edition features experimental music, some newer Oklahoma music, a classic L.A. punk rock tune, an iconic rock 'n' roll song, a song that has been recorded by Rod Stewart and The Carpenters performed by a classic 80s collaboration, some cool jazz, a 1963 hit song, and a relatively obscure song from a British new wave band...  hmm...

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Hanging at The Family Wash Mix



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Lots of almost news to almost report... Expect to have more information about my and Sue Havlish's WXNA show - Double Shot with Joe and Sue very soon.  If you have not done so, now would be a good time to follow our show on Facebook.

Also, expect more details about the forthcoming E2TG Five Year Anniversary Party (5/18 at The 5 Spot).  Just trying to lock down the final details.

Maybe, probably less soon, expect some information about the future of E2TG (it's so bright, I have to wear shades - how is that for a relatively obscure - nearly 30 year old reference).

In the meantime, it is Tuesday when we take a look at what is "Trending" on E2TG....

Monday, March 28, 2016

Music Monday Morning Shuffle - Runaway Locomotive Mix




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Ug... is it Monday already?  Okay... I have to be quick as I have some errands to run.

I hope everyone had a good Easter Sunday no matter what or how you celebrate or not...

Monday, as our new custom demands, is dedicated to artists who have some connection to Nashville, TN (aka Music City USA).

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Boiling Butter Mix




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Fun-filled night at Coverbest at The Beast (The Basement East)... Terry Rickards always does a great job putting those events on... I really dug Matt Haeck doing Tom Waits,  Darrin Bradbury doing Modest Mouse, Sarah Potenza doing Gillian Welch, and Tesla Rossa doing Beck... plus lots of inspiring conversations about music and East Nashville and creativity....

Tonight, Fats Kaplin returns to his Thursday Night residency at The 5 Spot - the penultimate week of this month-long (sans St. Patrick's Day) event...  I missed two weeks ago, and I do not want to miss this one...  It is guaranteed to be some of the best music around and highly entertaining, too.

Later tonight, Chris Scruggs and The Stone Fox Five are playing what I think is their second show since the club that gave them their name closed unexpectedly.  They will be at The Country with The Farmer and Adele opening.  I have heard a lot about The Farmer and Adele, but I have not seen them yet.

I am off work tomorrow.  I may try to do a Featured Friday Shuffle from home, but no promises... stay tuned.

Meanwhile, Thursday - means we throw it back like an undersized fish....

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Eight to the Bar Mix



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Mid-week has arrived. 

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!
Consider this a great big SAVE THE DATE!!!!!  May 18, 2016 9:00p.m.  The 5 Spot.  The E2TG 5th Anniversary Party with some awesome performances (to be announced soon) and a good time to be had by all.  This will be right after the R.B. Morris Residency show so you should plan on making a night of it.  MORE TO COME!!!!!


Tonight is another awesome Coverfest at The Basement East. 

The lineup:

Matt Haeck as Tom Waits
Sarah Potenza as Gillian Welch
Friendship as Bright Eyes
Darrin Bradbury as Modest Mouse
Ri¢hie as Ghostfinger
Tesla Rossa as Beck
Tin Fist Pony as Sone Temple Pilots

Doors at 8:30 Music at 9:00 

Should be a fun night!

Wednesday is the day when anything can happen here at E2TG... well any day is kind of like that, but Wednesdays are called "Wild" taken from the term "wildcard" meaning that all bets are off*... enjoy....

*E2TG and its affiliates do not advocate gambling. Void where prohibited by law. Gamble responsibly. Don't Bet and Drive. 

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - An Affliction Mix



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Some days are like running up a down escalator that is moving faster than you could possibly ever run...  but you keep on running because... well you do... and eventually the escalator slows down or stops or maybe even starts moving up... wait, do escalators ever do that?  What as I talking about...

Eh...

Trending Tuesday Shuffle up coming....

Monday, March 21, 2016

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - The Road Got Blurry Mix



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So, spring has arrived and here in Nashville that has meant a brief cold snap. I seem to be over whatever it was that kind of knocked me out at the end of last week... ready to take on a new week. According to Facebook, I have 12 events with 51 friends coming up this week.  Fortunately, I do get Friday off work...

I did manage to venture out into a misty rain last night for a fine night of music at The Basement. Despite some vocal duress, Jon Latham was amazing as always.  Throwing a new song (for me anyway) into the mix and inviting up Peyton Parker to sing on a couple of tunes.  Peyton Parker has been on the current season of The Voice.   Next up was Charlie Whitten, who I saw a few weeks back, I once again was struck by his awesome songwriting, gentle good humor, and his whistling (which especially impresses me because I cannot really whistle).  Closing the night was Caleb Caudle who recently released Carolina Ghost to widespread acclaim. A great ending to a great night of music at a pretty pack out Basement.

It's Monday - I'm in Music City... let's do Music City Monday....

Friday, March 18, 2016

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Grand Coulee Dam Mix



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Okay... so I feel like I am limping (battered and bloody) into the weekend, but it is Friday...

Friday is the day when we randomly shuffle songs from our Featured Friday playlist which is a playlist of songs we want to feature. 

Did I mention it's Friday?  And that we have some songs to feature? I did? Good! I think that cover it.  Shuffle after the jump

Thursday, March 17, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Tying Faith Mix



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It seems like just about everybody is at or on their way to South by Southwest, but believe it or not there is still plenty of live music here in Nashville.

Last night, I headed to Bobby's Idle Hour on Music Row - where every single Wednesday Sam Cooper hosts Sam's Jams which runs from noon until 8:00p.m. with constant songwriters all day. Last night, Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan from Ottawa played their second Nashville show - this time an acoustic show which sounded amazing. 

Back across the river to The 5 Spot for the AGD Entertainment Spotlight.  It was great to see Adrian + Meredith (who sounded great with an awesome full band - including Paul Niehaus on guitar and pedal steel)  and Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars (who are consistently one of my favorite live bands in town).

Tonight is the CD Release show for Charlie Hager (I have featured some songs from his brand new album American Saga). The music gets underway at 7:00 and The Crying Wolf - and there is a stacked lineup of music going all night.

Now, it is Thursday, so let us throw it back...  I mean... let us throwback to some great tunes from some non-specific number of years ago.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle- Madonna After George Jones Mix




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Another fine night of tunes at $2 Tuesdays at The 5 Spot - hosted by Derek Hoke with DJ Tim Hibbs providing the pre/post/between performance music.  The vinyl theme was girl groups.

A $2 cover netted performances by Jack Grelle with Ryan Koenig (from Pokey LaFarge's band), the return to Nashville of E2TG favorite Brock Zeman with the always amazing Blair Hogan*, Hoke and his always amazing band, and for the second night in a row Joseph Robert Krauss - this time with a full-band that was pretty darn impressive.  I wasn't able to hang for the last act.

*If you missed Brock and Blair last night, they will be at Bobby's Idle Hour on Music Row tonight.

Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars and Adrian + Meredith are part of the late show line-up at The 5 Spot.


Wednesday's are when we go wild at #E2TG.  No not that kind of wild...

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Am I a Shadow Mix



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A couple of East Nashville's finest songwriters crossed the river last night for a casual show in the front room at the recently reopened 12th and Porter. Joseph Robert Krauss writes really good songs, has a great voice, and his mildly self-deprecating humor hit the right notes, too.

The thing that struck me about Darrin Bradbury last night is that he is a true performer (dare I say entertainer?)  My appreciation for his songwriting is well documented, but last night, his talent as a performer really hit me.  Having seen him in a variety of settings (from band shows at his well-attended January residency to Saturday's impromptu performance for a handful of people under a canopy in the rain to last night's loose/casual solo performance in front of  relatively small crowd), what I noticed and realized last night is that regardless of the circumstance or setting, Darrin performs and performs well.   For me it was great to hear some older songs which he does not play very often.

Also, Brock Zeman and Blair Hogan are returning to Nashville with shows tonight for $2 Tuesday at The 5 Spot and tomorrow night at Bobby's Idle Hour.

Time for a shuffled peak into what is currently trending at E2TG:

Monday, March 14, 2016

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Shoot Right Through You Mix



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Kind of a dreary, post-time change Monday in Nashville - although the sun was out this morning enough to blind me as I drove in to work.

It's a another Music City Monday - time to feature songs some how, some way connected to Nashville, Tennessee. 

Darrin Bradbury is playing tonight at the fairly recently reopened 12th and Porter...  Busy week of music coming up... more later...

Friday, March 11, 2016

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Wrecks the Body and Destroys the Mind Mix



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Last night, I made my first visit to Little Harpeth Brewery (I love their beer) which located just about five minutes from where I park for work.  It was a fun night of good beer, cheap friends, and music (to paraphrase an obscure Darrin Bradbury song lyric).  Speaking of which, the music for the evening was provided by the aforementioned Bradbury and Hushabye Baby (who I saw for the first time and really liked).

It is Friday! Time for some Featured music... via the shuffle function...

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - No Secrets To Reveal Mix



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As I predicted, last night was fun.  Tim Carroll, Tommy Womack, Jon Byrd, Joe Nolan, and Andrew Adkins put on one of the best and most diverse songwriter events I have seen in a long time - at The Country.  They are all excellent songwriters coming from different backgrounds and working in and out of different genres or styles of music, and together they represented well the rich tapestry of Music City.

In a rare moment of perfect timing, I had just enough time to say my goodbyes at The Country, and I made my way to The 5 Spot for Sara Syms, Carrie Welling, and Lindsay Ellyn.  Sara Syms sounded fantastic as always with her excellent band. 

Carrie Welling (who I had seen once before) has some great songs and an amazing voice. She was backed by a guitar player. 

It has been a little while since I had seen Lindsay Ellyn doing a full band show, and it was every bit as good as I remember it.  Her song, "Glory, Glory" became a joyous sing-a-long.

Beyond all the hype, the truth remains that there is a ton of great music going on just about every night in Nashville.

Tonight , I recommend Darrin Bradbury at Little Harpeth Taproom, Fats Kaplin with guest Paul Burch at The 5 Spot, Beet Root Revival at The Basement,  and The Cordovas at The Family Wash.  While, it is logistically impossible to hit all of these shows, I highly recommend any of them.


Well, it is Thursday - let's throw it back...

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - It's Only Natural Mix



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Remembering George Martin on his passing at age 90.  I don't think music over the past half century would be what it has been without the Beatles, and I don't think the Beatles would have been what they were without George Martin. Rest in Peace.

ICYMI, E2TG premiered a new video by Jon Latham.  You can check it out here.

Been checking out some music to be released in the next couple of months.  Really excited about Eli Rhodes (Benchmarks) new album and the new one from Knoxville-based Adeem the Artist (formerly known as Kyle Adem - who I saw at a New Faces night at The Basement some time ago). 

Several names you read about on E2TG will be releasing new music in the coming months. Some of them have preorders going on. Keep your ears to the ground.

Also, there is some cool live music tonight in Nashville - on the west side, Tim Carroll, Joe Nolan, Andrew Adkins, Jon Byrd, and Tommy Womack will the sharing a stage at The Country beginning at 7:30.  Across the river, Lindsay Ellyn, Sara Syms, and Carrie Welling will be playing the late show at The 5 Spot which is set to begin around 9:00.

Keep checking E2TG for an exciting announcement coming soon.

Now, it is Wild Wednesday!  Today's shuffle fulfills by loosely defined expectations for this theme nicely.

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

E2TG - Video Premiere: Jon Latham (Live at Fort Dakota) - "LA Freeway" (Guy Clark Cover)



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Hey!  It is Tuesday night, I have been catching up on laundry and trying to catch up on e-mail.  My inbox has been flooded with a ton of great music - some of which you will be hearing here on Ear to the Ground, so of which will be coming your way soon.

In the midst of the excitement of scrolling through pages of unopened e-mail (sorry), I got a call from the 2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham.  That is how he is tagged in my phone by the way... "2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham".  He filled me in on a project he has in the works.

Returning to Fort Dakota Studio, Jon has recorded five solo acoustic songs all of which were also recorded on video. The recordings were a reunion of sorts with Fort Dakota's mastermind, Josh Morris who produced Jon's album, Real Bad News.

Look for an EP of those sessions coming your way soon, in the meantime, I am extremely honored to have the opportunity to present the very first video from that session.

When Jon and I talk, we often talk about music. As I have said before, Jon is extremely knowledgeable about a pretty wide variety of music genres - including some bands that I would not expect someone his age to know (thank you Michael Latham).

Inevitably, we talk about songwriters.  Names like John Prine, Steve Earle, and Guy Clark come up quite often.  We have discussed the importance of Guy Clark to much of the best music being played in songwriter rounds around this fair city.

"LA Freeway" has long been one of my favorite Guy Clark songs, and I really like Jon's cover of that song here - recorded at Fort Dakota.

A little trivia:  Steve Earle sang background vocals on Guy Clark's recording of this song from his debut album, Old No. 1.  Steve Earle, as you may recall, is prominently referenced in the opening seconds of  Real Bad News.

Without any further ado: Here is "LA Freeway" by Jon Latham



Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Till Your Well Runs Dry Mix



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Hey ho!  It's Trendy  Trending Tuesday at E2TG.  This will have to be a quick one.  Lots of music and not much time.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Hashtag Humblebrag Mix



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I really happy with the response and the outcome of the first week of our new "themed" shuffles.  I am especially pleased that each day there was a pretty wide range of musical sounds and styles represented within each theme.

So, we are back with our second Music City Monday - songs (old and new) that are somehow connected to Music City USA - aka Nashville, Tennessee.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Featured Friday Music Shuffle - Love Cures Mix



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Last night was a wonderful reminder of the depth and width of the musical offerings that this city has to offer.  Not even to mention the several awesome shows that I was able to attend.  It began with week one of the Fats Kaplin and Friends. Kaplin is an incredible multi-instrumentalist who has worked with everyone from Jack White and Beck to Nanci Griffith and Trisha Yearwood.  He also has several solo albums and albums with his wife - the amazing vocalist Kristi Rose (who sang several songs last night). The show was filled with magic tricks, good humor, and fantastic music.  The residency will continue throughout March (with the exception of March 17), and I highly recommend it if you are in Nashville on one of those Thursdays.

You may recall, I posted several songs some time ago by Bashful Hips.  It is very original music (think alternative hip hop as a jumping off point).  Bashful Hips has a brand new CD called After I Died, I've Never Felt So Alive, and he celebrated the release with a diverse and spirited show at The End.  Experimental, progressive rock band Work opened the night, Ted C. Fox played next with a sound that pretty awesomely melded bluegrass with more experimental post-rock elements, Bashful Hips was next delivering his new album song by song. Backed by Nathan Conrad of Spoken Nerd on bass and spieling over a pre-recorded track, Bashful Hips songs are complex and emotional and awesome.  Expect to hear songs from the album in the shuffle soon.  Spoken Nerd closed the night. This is unabashedly hip-hop music  featuring a live band and pre-ordered music. I have a great respect for good hip-hop music - even if I admit to not knowing a lot about it.  This was really good and when joined by Nashville rapper KidDead, the rapid fire word play was impressive. 

It felt good to step out of my comfort zone (both location and musical styles), and I really had a blast.

Today's themed shuffle is the original themed shuffle "Featured Friday".  Let's do it!

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - The Last Night of the Fair Mix



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We have arrived at Thursday.  For the daily "theme" today, I decided upon the term, "Throwback Thursday"... honestly, I'm surprised no one has come up with this sooner.... I even came up with a hashtag (#tbt) for it.  Clever aren't I?

I think the concept is pretty self-explanatory.  I hope to show that music in the past was extremely diverse and varied - in spite of what "Classic Rock" stations may lead you to believe....

without ado....

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - All the Way to Peter's Gate Mix



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I hesitate to report again about how awesome $2 Tuesdays are at The 5 Spot.  Derek Hoke and DJ Tim Hibbs throw a massive weekly party.  It cost you just $2 to get in and you can get Yazoo pints for just $2 all night.  I hesitate because it was packed out last night, and maybe enough people know about it... but hell.  For that $2, every single time I have gone, I have seen and heard some pretty amazing music.  Hell, $2 would be cheap just to hear Derek Hoke and his amazing band play a couple of songs.  Dead Horses from Wisconsin were awesome, Quinn from here in Nashville (and featuring E2TG Artist of the Year Jon Latham on guitar and BGVs) have an awesome sound.  Probably the only complaint I have (and I guess my age is showing) is that I left before the last band played and it was already midnight.  But, the young folks love it - ah, I remember... I remember...


Wednesday? What the hell is it?  Some call it hump day and celebrate having reached the mid-way through the work week, what does that say about us?  1. We are wishing our lives away and/or 2. We hate our week day existence so much and/or 3. We are optimists (I mean we would say we've toiled away for days and still have days of toil ahead).  Who knows? Wednesday are wild!  Wild used in the same way as "Jokers Wild".  Wednesday can be anything.  Or maybe wild used in the sense of wild!

Welcome to the first ever Wild Wednesday Shuffle.  Make sure your seatbelts are locked and loaded... or whatever...

Briefly,  I loaded this playlist with some of the more experimental songs I have on my phone.  Then, I counter-programmed with some older music, some outliers from past shuffles, some of the most unlikely songs in my phone, and then sprinkled in some stuff just 'cause.

Here goes nothing!

Tuesday, March 1, 2016

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Great Day Mix



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Well, it's premier week at E2TG as I unveil my new "programming schedule".

Welcome to debut edition of Trending Tuesday!  Why trending?  Well, for one thing, it starts with the letter "T" which was a requirement in naming this day.  Also, my social media consultants advise me that the term "trending" is er, um... trending these days.

So, what is "Trending Tuesday"?  In some ways it is similar to Featured Friday.  Basically, it is songs/artist that have been fresh on my mind (new - or fairly recent acquisitions/releases), like all "rules", I play fast and loose.  The Trending Tuesday playlist is different than the Featured Friday playlist, but they have a lot of overlap.  Well... enough exposition - here is the first Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle....