Friday, November 30, 2018

Featured Friday Morning - Human Clay Mix



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



For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available



Well, here we are at the last day of November. We about to enter the final month of 2018.  As a friend likes to point out, the calendar year is arbitrary and has been/is different era to era, culture to culture. Regardless, it is as good a time as any to take stock.  What's working, what's not, what could be better, and where to set sights for the year ahead.  I'll be focusing on all that in December, all while continuing to bring new music to light and to reflect on the great music of 2018.

I am working on making a decision about the E2TG Artists and Bands of the Year.  As in the last two years, my thought is to have two winners in each category.  Band and Artist of the Year Nashville and Band and Artist of the Year (Non-Nashville).  Truthfully, every time I think I've settled on a list, I remember another artist who is kicking butt. It's not going to be an easy decision, but do know - everyone I write about is a winner in my book. Plus, despite rumors to the contrary, E2TG awards to not include a cash prize or anything like that.

We have a pretty nifty shuffle of songs to close out the month. Let's get to it!

Thursday, November 29, 2018

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Laugh Until I Fart Mix



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



For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)


We are nearing the end of the week, the end of November, and really, the end of the year. Regular readers will know that E2TG spends a good portion of December handing out our anuual "Earie Awards". I feel a little overwhelmed this year - first of all because the end of this year really sneaked up on me, and second because we have featured more new music this year than ever before. But, I have a plan in mind - so stay tuned. I am also thinking ahead to some possible big changes for the new year to come.

Meanwhile, it is Thursday and time to see what is trending for today at E2TG. Let's shuffle!

Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Persona Mix



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


For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)


Another amazing $2 Tuesday at The 5 Spot - with the highlight being the CD release for Bob Lewis' new release End of an Error. All of the music was fantastic. A good hang with friends. 

It's already mid-week. That means it's time for another edition of the "Wild Wednesday Shuffle".  In addition to the music currently being featured on E2TG, my phone memory - which has moved and accumulated from phone to phone - with random additions as they come to me - has a wide variety of MP3 files that tend to span a pretty wide body of genres, styles, years etc.  Every Wednesday, we shake up that big pot of songs and see what falls out.  Here's what fell out today.

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Love in Winter Mix



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



For your holiday shopping: The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)



Back from the extended holiday.  I listened to my Music City Monday Spotify playlist on my drive, and it made a great travel companion.  Check it out here and follow if you like.  It is a continuous work-in-progress with new music added regularly.  LISTEN HERE


It is Tuesday, and time for Trending Tuesday - where we explore a sampling of some of the newish music to come to E2TG.  Let's shuffle!

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Angel's Kisses Mix



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



The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)


It's Thanksgiving Eve, and I am winding down my work week - before having/taking 5 days in a row off. More than likely, this will be last shuffle before next Tuesday, but there is a chance I may sneak in a special shuffle...

My experience with thankfulness/gratitude is that it is most needed when you least feel it.

Sending wishes for safe travel to all those on the road for the holiday.  I am especially thinking of those facing the holiday away from family or facing a first holiday without a special someone.

For those in Canada - retroactively apply these thoughts to last month.  For those outside the U.S., you may ignore - but thankfulness is universal. Peace!

Here's the Wild Wednesday shuffle to today!

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Primitiv Mix



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



The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  (Coming Soon!)


WXNA thanks you  — our generous listeners — for helping us not only meet but exceed our fundraising goal for our fall pledge drive. Your support will help make sure this station continues to grow and thrive. We are so grateful that you are the people in people-powered radio.


Day 2 of my 3 day work week....   I went out last night for Madison Guild Monday at Dee's.  Mark Robinson, Grace Adele, Davis Raines, Megan Palmer with Bob Lewis, Conrad y Skordalia, and Maynard and the Musties all played excellent sets. Lots of cool folks in attendance. All in all a fun night.

It's Tuesday - so let's see what is trending at E2TG this fine mid-November day...

Monday, November 19, 2018

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Cadillacin' Mix



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

The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  (Coming Soon!)



Today is the last day of the Fall Pledge Drive at WXNA.  For the first time ever, WXNA reached their Pledge goal before the end of the drive. But, you can still give today, and remember every dollar earned goes toward making the station better and to help with our move to the new space early next year.  615-933-9962 or wxnafm.org

After two weeks off for different reasons, Music City Monday is back!  We have a super cool playlist of songs from artists connected to Music City USA. Let's jump!

Friday, November 16, 2018

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Can of Worms Mix



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

The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  



Hey, it is Pledge Week at Nashville's All-Volunteer Community Radio Station, WXNA.  I am thrilled to have a small part in this valuable community resource. WXNA recently announced that we are moving our studio early next year, so one of goals of this Fall's Pledge Drive is to raise funds to defray the cost of that move.

As always, WXNA can be heard at 101.5FM in Nashville (as I like to say, within the Briley Parkway loop) and it can be streamed anywhere at wxnafm.org or through the TuneIn app.

If you want to pledge your support, contact WXNA at 615-933-9962  or go on-line at wxnafm.org



I am happy to report that the inaugural Word No Music: A Reading was a huge success. It was well-received and a ton of fun. It is my intention to make it a recurring event into 2019.  Look for an announcement of the next show, coming soon!

A busy weekend ahead. Tonight, a release show for the new Christmas single by E2TG favorite Ted Drozdowski at Dee's.  Tomorrow, a morning of Pledge Drive fun at WXNA, including Double Shot with our Pledge Drive theme about "Our Favorite Producers".

Next week is Thanksgiving in the U.S. - so a short week of shuffles...

Now, we have our final shuffle of this week, and it is another good one! Let's go!

Thursday, November 15, 2018

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Wham Bam Boo Mix



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


TONIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!


The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  



Hey, it is Pledge Week at Nashville's All-Volunteer Community Radio Station, WXNA.  I am thrilled to have a small part in this valuable community resource. WXNA recently announced that we are moving our studio early next year, so one of goals of this Fall's Pledge Drive is to raise funds to defray the cost of that move.

As always, WXNA can be heard at 101.5FM in Nashville (as I like to say, within the Briley Parkway loop) and it can be streamed anywhere at wxnafm.org or through the TuneIn app.

If you want to pledge your support, contact WXNA at 615-933-9962  or go on-line at wxnafm.org



I am super excited about the Words No Music event tonight at Radio Cafe.  Doors open at 6:30, show starts around 7.  We have a super line-up of readers.


Speaking of super line-ups. I am particularly proud of today's shuffle which has all the hallmarks of a great E2TG shuffle - diversity, first listens, serious songs, silly songs, and more.... 

Jump in!

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Big Black Sun Mix



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

Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!


The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  



Hey, it is Pledge Week at Nashville's All-Volunteer Community Radio Station, WXNA.  I am thrilled to have a small part in this valuable community resource. WXNA recently announced that we are moving our studio early next year, so one of goals of this Fall's Pledge Drive is to raise funds to defray the cost of that move.

As always, WXNA can be heard at 101.5FM in Nashville (as I like to say, within the Briley Parkway loop) and it can be streamed anywhere at wxnafm.org or through the TuneIn app.

If you want to pledge your support, contact WXNA at 615-933-9962  or go on-line at wxnafm.org

This time around there are four levels of giving (and remember you can make it a monthly donation to spread the cost out).  There are some great rewards at each level - including a hoodie, an iron-on patch, and at the top level, an invitation to our exclusive Studio-warming party when we move into the new studio.

Meanwhile, it is Wednesday and that means it is "Wild Wednesday" at WXNA.  I think this shuffle lives up to the billing...

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - To the Bone Mix



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

Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)


I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

JUST ADDED!  August and September 2018 Playlists!

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  (coming soon!)



I'm back. I was off work yesterday for Veteran's Day.  So, we are back with a Trending Tuesday shuffle of our "New Music" playlist.  Today's shuffle is heavily weighted with singer-songwriters - with some "not singer-songwriters" rounding out the shuffle.  To me that is what is fun about the random shuffle - the same mix of songs/artists/albums can produce such wildly different shuffles. Another day, we might have virtually no singer-songwriter type songs - and instead the shuffle may be more electronic/experimental/punk oriented.  Well... let's see about today's shuffle!

Friday, November 9, 2018

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Imitation Stories Mix



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

Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.








I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed nine - January - September 2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(NEW!)
E2TG September 2018  (NEW!)
E2TG October 2018  (coming soon!)



Well, we made it to Friday. Whew!  I have a busy week ahead of me.

Wonderful night at The Radio Cafe last night (as usual there was way too much good stuff going on at once).   Greg Horne played a solo set, then backed RB Morris (along with the amazing Daniel Kimbro) and Wild Ponies.  A bunch of my favorite people and musicians in one show - with a bunch of cool folks in attendance.

Let's get to the shuffle!

Thursday, November 8, 2018

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - You Afraid Mix



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

Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.








I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(coming soon!)
E2TG September 2018  (coming soon!)
E2TG October 2018  (coming soon!)

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Man, I sure am glad that with the election over we can have a period of calm regarding politics... oh wait - never mind. 

Meanwhile, another day, another mass shooting. Another round of "thoughts and prayers" but no concrete action to change anything.  I'll be honest, while I am tired of "thoughts and prayers" in the absence of any concrete action - I am also not fond of those who take that as an opportunity to attack the concept of prayer or faith in general.  When it comes to people praying for an outcome and the failing to take action - in any situation, it is like the person who is stranded in the middle of the ocean and prays for rescue - and when a ship and helicopter comes to save him, he turns them away saying God is going to save him. Then, he drowns and he asks God why he wasn't saved - God says, "I sent you a helicopter and a ship."  If you believe in prayer, but you ignore the solutions - right in front of you - that may be divinely inspired, then you might as well not pray.


Let's jump into the shuffle - it's Thursday - so we go back to our "New Music" playlist.  Kind of a short shuffle - because the last "track" was actually a whole 20+ minute EP - as one mixtape-like track.

Wednesday, November 7, 2018

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Wrong Shoes Mix



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


Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.







I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(coming soon!)
E2TG September 2018  (coming soon!)

E2TG October 2018  (coming soon!)



Well - the election is over. The results were mixed. There were bitter disappointments, but I am choosing to focus on the positives that came out of yesterday.  Moreover, I am committed to doing my part to make this a kinder nation.


Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King, Jr.


It is mid-week, and that means it is time for another installment of "Wild Wednesday" at E2TG. A shuffle that comes from all of the songs saved to my phone's memory. You never know what will come up. We have a pretty interesting mix that covers several different genres. Let's go!

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - My Mission Today Mix



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


ICYMI:  Earlier today, we posted our first ever E2TG Election Day Special with some new election day releases from Paul Maged and Flying Buffaloes. Read it HERE.

Words No Music A Reading coming Thursday, November 15, 2018 6:30pm Radio Cafe Nashville. No Cover, tips accepted and books will be for sale. We have an incredible line-up featuring David Olney,  Rod Picott, Luke Powers, Rebecca Weiner Tompkins, and yours truly. All but me are incredible musicians and songwriters, but for this show - they will let their words speak for them without music.  I will be reading from The Drift plus some selections from a forthcoming book.   FACEBOOK EVENT HERE!

All of this happened a long time ago when the world was a very different place. Of course, none of us knew that at the time.
(From The Drift - A Novel by Joe Wolfe-Mazeres) Available at Amazon.com (Kindle edition also available)

If you have read The Drift, please consider writing a review on Amazon. If you haven't read it, you can get your own copy through Amazon or if you are in Nashville, you can get them from me.







I am continuing to work on my Spotify playlists for E2TG.  So far, I have completed seven - January - July2018.  These are meant to be a cross-section of music I featured during those months - not necessarily music released in those months.   If you are interested, you can check out the playlists (links below)  and follow my personal profile to find out when new playlists are created.

E2TG January 2018
E2TG February 2018
E2TG March 2018
E2TG April 2018 
E2TG May 2018
E2TG June 2018
E2TG July 2018
E2TG August 2018 
(coming soon!)
E2TG September 2018  (coming soon!)

E2TG October 2018  (coming soon!)


Well, it is Election Day 2018.  I hope you checked out our Election Special post (link up top of this post).

I'm definitely going to need music and lots of it to get me through the anxiety of the day...

Let's start with a shuffle filled with tons of first listens (including some new releases from some E2TG faves).  Plus some returning favorites.