Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Shut up and Give Me a Train Mix

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And we are back after a long holiday weekend!  Working hard to prepare for the launch of Double Shot with Joe and Sue on WXNA Nashville which we can now announce will officially begin on Saturday June 11 and every Saturday from 11a.m. - 1p.m. (Central Time). If you are in Nashville, you can tune us in on your radio at 101.5, elsewhere it will stream live at WXNAFM.org, and via the TuneIn App on your favorite device.  The Station will go live on Saturday June 4 at 10:15a.m. with previews of all the amazing shows, and the regular schedule kicks off Monday June 6.

Tonight, an all-star Nashville cast will be recreating Ryan Adam's legendary Heartbreaker album in its entirety at The Basement East (a short distance from where the album was recorded).  A ton of cool people on in on this. Doors at 7:30, Music at 8.   Here is the Event Page.  Get your tickets and come out!

We jump into the Trending Tuesday topic with a wide-ranging set of songs that have some kind of mini-themes built into it.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Amp of Epi Mix

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Nashville happenings and other cool stuff... - Check out our friends at Fighting the Nashville Blues for the scoop!

ICYMI - E2TG premiered the brand new video from Charlie Hager for his song "These Days" - you can read my words and watch the video here.


Trying to coast toward the end of the week and into the long holiday weekend...

Last night, having caught up on sleep the night before, I headed out despite threatening weather to catch the last night of Kevin Gordon's residency at The 5 Spot. Gordon opening solo - showing of the intricacies of his songs and the richness of his voice and guitar work. He even threw in a cover of Richard Thompson's "Keep Your Distance".

Then with his band, he flat out rocked the house.  Advice, if you get the chance to see Kevin Gordon live, go see him.

After that show ended, I headed to one of my favorite new venues, The Country.  I got there in the middle of Sean Rivers set, and I was really impressed.  Great songs and a rocking sound.  Next up was E2TG favorite Zachariah Red with a six piece band that featured a lot of cool folks - including Taylor Alexander, Drew Kohl, and Tim Ryssemus of Ricca Vita. I have been following Zach since I met him over a year and a half ago, and I have to say he is sounding better than ever. I really fun set that included an Eagles cover and a Marshall Tucker cover along with songs from Zach's last two records.

Last of the bill was Jason Martin who played really heavy but melodic rock.  Josh Waters played guitar with both Rivers and Martin.

All in all, a fun night and I enjoyed seeing a bunch awesome people.

Today in the Featured Friday shuffle, we have a pretty diverse mix of music... so enjoy...

E2TG Video Premiere: "These Days" by Charlie Hager

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Ear to the Ground has been featuring songs from American Saga, the new album by Charlie Hager  for a few weeks.  I previously described his music as pure honest songwriting.  It is a sad commentary on our times that I almost felt the need to explain that I meant that as a compliment.  In some ways, that is what this song and the brand new video, which we are premiering today, is all about.

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Big Brass Bed Mix

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For Nashville Events and more - check out our friends at Fighting the Nashville Blues...


Burning the candle at both ends...  so, last night, I went home after work, and I feel asleep (after having not slept much the night before), and I work up just before 7:00.  I looked at the time and immediately jumped up - still groggy and thinking that I had fallen asleep on the couch and slept through the night, and that I was now way far behind getting ready for work.  After a bit, my head started to clear, and although I had to get ready fairly quickly for Stone Cupid at The High Watt, I was not actually too far behind.  Needless to say, I had to punt on all of the other awesome stuff happening last night.  Stone Cupid (the full band!!!!) were incredible.  Julie Christensen is a force of nature, and man they can all play.

Stone Cupid at The High Watt 5/25/2016 

Photo and effects by: Joe Wolfe-Mazeres

Thankfully, I am now well-rested and ready to take on the last day and a half before a three day weekend!

It is Thursday which is when we throw it back... E2TG style...

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Electronic Dreams Mix

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Find out what is up in Music City at Fighting the Nashville Blues.


Derek Hoke's $2 Tuesdays at The 5 Spot continues to be one of the best weekly events around. And, it seems like Derek and company manage to somehow keep topping themselves.  Case in point, last night....   First of all $2 admission, $2 Yazoo Drafts, a stellar line-up of local and touring artists and bands, Derek and the talented people who back him up, and the always on point DJ Tim Hibbs who spins vinyl all-night always with a theme.

Last night's night was jam packed with music from Adam Brick, Letitia VanSant, the amazing Boo Ray, Hoot and Holler, Rob Bondurant, Derek Hoke backed by Paul Niehaus,  DJ Tim Hibbs spinning Dylan songs and covers for Bob Dylan's 75th Birthday.  Pretty good for $2 right, but there was also a late act on the bill who happened to be Sadler Vaden who was in Drivin' N Cryin' and is perhaps best known these days as Jason Isbell's guitar player.  Vaden is an amazing songwriter and performer and he completely killed it previewing songs from his upcoming album.  He will be doing a full show tonight at The Basement East - part of one of those amazing Nashville nights that includes, R.B. Morris, Wild Ponies, Stone Cupid, a Travelling Wilbury's tribute at the FooBar, and a best of Jed's Open Mic night at The Country.  Also in the mix is me getting to bed at a decent time... we will see how things play out...

It is Wednesday - on to the Wild Shuffle...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Branches on the Pines Mix

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For info on what's happening in Nashville - check out Fighting the Nashville Blues.


Hey ho!  I am a little short on time, but I will get through what I can.  Me and Sue recorded our first
pre-recorded show of Double Shot with Joe and Sue.  Our show will be broadcast every Saturday from 11am to 1pm starting... (soon!).  Every other week we will be doing the show live, the other week will be pre-recorded.    In the central Nashville area you can tune in to 101.5 FM.  Outside of Nashville or if you are not near a radio, you can listen to WXNAFM.ORG.  I will be updating here and on Facebook when the first show date is announced.

Today, we have a Trending Tuesday shuffle... let's get to it....

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Get Loud Mix

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So, my event calendar never really got off the ground, fortunately, Jared over at Fighting the Nashville Blues - has you covered.  Here are his previews for the week ahead.


So, I am still kind of reeling from the E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza.  Such a good time. I hope to bring you more shows in the future.  It was fun to introduce friends to other friends' music in a live setting.

My daughter and I had a great weekend.  We took in Luella and Tim Carroll down at Phat Bites in Donelson on Saturday morning, and then Saturday night spend some time with The Foresters and Mia Green in at an Airbnb in East Nashville and heard tunes by the aforementioned.  The Foresters should be headed back to Connecticut as I write this, and I wish them all safe travels. They had the opportunity to play Puckett's Grocery in Leiper's Fork yesterday.

Time for some Music City Monday sounds...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Deluge of Words Mix

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THANKS!!!! To all the bands, the guests, The 5 Spot, and all the kind words from near and far!  The 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza was a smash hit (as far as I am concerned). Let's do it again some time soon! (not a 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza but you know what I mean!)

A recap:  First of all, I had the great pleasure of meeting and having dinner with The Foresters and their parental entourage. Really awesome folks!  Then, I made it back to the 5 Spot for Will Kimbrough with a full band who was incredible as always and somehow better than ever. Will was followed by the one and only RB Morris - poet, songwriter, musician, and bandleader - called the unofficial poet laureate of Tennessee.  I seriously implore you if you have not made any of the first three shows of his residency, do not miss the final week!

Then, it was time for the Extravaganza to begin (why oh why did I not call it an Anniversary Bash?)..

I had the pleasure of welcoming the aforementioned The Foresters to the stage for their debut Nashville performance (not counting the recording they did at Third Man Records earlier in the day and the live stream they did after that from their Airbnb.  They were amazing, and I think they won over some new fans in Nashville.

Next up was Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, and Chris Tench who rocked the house with lots of guitars. Julie's legendary voice was in fine form. They performed songs from The Cardinal and some new music, too.  The full Stone Cupid band will be playing next Wednesday at The High Watt - you do not want to miss that one!

Then, Maritime Laws were put into effect has Patrick Kinsley and a Fistful of Dollars rocked the house with some new arrangements of old songs and some new music.

BARK (the duo featuring Tim and Susan Bauer Lee of Tim Lee 3) brought their massive two piece wall of sound in a high-energy performance that exceeded my high expectations.

And finally, Adrian + Meredith closed out the night with a powerhouse full-band performance (doing a lot of songs from their highly anticipated upcoming album).  Their band propelled by Adrian's incredible songs and Meredith's awesome fiddle work featured Paul Niehaus on pedal steel and a guest appearance by the awesome Nashville Horns.

The performances were all top-notch, I loved seeing so many good friends... the between song music was a shuffle (what else) of a special Spotify playlist that I created featuring music from the first 5 years of E2TG.  I heard such favorites as Jon Latham, Joe Nolan, and Miss Shevaughn and Yuma Wray (who were all in attendance), plus Marla Mase, Black Jake and the Carnies, Lost Romance, Artur U and the New City Limits, Strange Majik, and more...

Let's get back to the business of posting - as the next 5 years starts now!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - I Can't Tell You Mix

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TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT!

Well, after all the build up, tonight is the night of the E2TG 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza!  The 5 Spot is going to be hopping all night with RB Morris hitting the stage at 6pm for week 3 of his residency with guests Matt Urmy and Will Kimbrough and with Luella joining RB for some background vocals.  Our show will follow with The Foresters kicking off the night, followed by Julie Christensen, Sergio Webb, and Chris Tench of Stone Cupid, Patrick Kinsley and A Fistful of Dollars, BARK, and Adrian+Meredith taking us home!  As always, Nashville has tons of musical options tonight, but I hope you will consider our show and come out for as much of it as you can (preferably all of it because it will all be awesome).

On to the shuffle!

Tuesday Afternoon Spotify Shuffle - E2TG Anniversary Mix

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TOMORROW NIGHT!  DON'T MISS THE E2TG 5TH ANNIVERSARY EXTRAVAGANZA!!!!!


First of all... I am devastated by the loss of Guy Clark.  One of the best songwriters ever and an inspiration to so many of my favorite writers... Rest in Peace...

Well, I've been on the road, so I have not had time to post any shuffles during this anniversary week.  But, I am back home.  I have created an E2TG Playlist on Spotify which I will be using for the between act music tomorrow night. Representing a good cross-section of music I have featured on E2TG over the last 5 Years.

I decided to preview the playlist and of course I hit shuffle and these are the songs that come up...

See you (in person or in spirit tomorrow night!)

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - May Forever You Run and Roll On Mix

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Coming very soon!  E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza!  Click for details!

Ventured out last night to help send Darrin Bradbury out on his latest tour.  He did a very low-key show at East Nashville's American Legion on Gallatin Pike.  He pulled a few really rare, older songs out mothballs and threw in a few favorites.  A fun evening with great conversation following.

As I reflect on the first 5 years of E2TG, I have been trying to look back with gratitude - the people I have met, the music I have heard...  At it's most basic - E2TG is based upon the idea, "Hey, I heard some really cool music today, let me tell you about it."

Gratitude for today - is thinking about the fact that almost every single day, I receive music from all over the world, and a majority of it is really good. Here are some of those...

Featured Friday!

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Little Rhythmic Arcs of Red Mix

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MAY 18th!  E2TG 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza!  The 5 Spot! 9pm sharp!

"Greetings, my friend. We are all interested in the future, for that is where you and I are going to spend the rest of our lives. And remember my friend, future events such as these will affect you in the future." - Criswell - Plan 9 from Outer Space.

Here at E2TG, we care about the future, but we also care about the past.  The present was the future in the past, and the past was once the present... remember that...

Anyway, we devote on day a week to exploring the past.  We call it Throwback Thursday because we are sheep who blindly follow standard internet conventions.

Today's #tbt shuffle awaits, but first...

A massively fun evening at The 5 Spot.  Hanging with some good friends and rubbing elbows with some musical heavyweights... some of whom happen to be friends, too.  Lowell Levinger was amazing... including a David Olney (who was in attendance) song in his set.

Tim Lee 3 killed as always - a good preview to BARK's appearance next week.

RB Morris - backed by an impressive band of Knoxville and Nashville musicians (including Tim Lee on guitar for a few songs).

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Stop and Stare Mix

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ONE WEEK TO GO!  E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza!  BE THERE!


Boom!  This week just hit me like a ton of bricks...  This will have to be kind of quick... Tonight at The 5 Spot - 6pm.  RB Morris and his incredible band from East and Middle Tennessee, E2TG favorites Tim Lee 3, and Lowell Levinger (aka Banana) from The Youngbloods!  Don't miss it!

Wild Wednesday are just a total free-for-all.  A mix of old, new, Nashville-based, not Nashville-based, weird experiments, painfully mainstream, and other awesome musical treats... here is today's version...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Plain to See Mix

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EVENT ALERT!  May 18 E2TG 5 Year Extravaganza! The 5 Spot - East Nashville! 9pm!

Yesterday was one of those days that you just want to throw on the scrapheap of existence and forget about... I was feeling under the weather a bit - which didn't help - and then every possible thing seemed to go wrong.  But, it's a new day. I  drove and walked to work under the threat of storms.  Thunder and lightning...  I had a pretty sweet mix of songs to accompany me on the trek... sit back and let me tell you about it and then you can listen to a close approximation of that mix of songs (video-style wise).

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle- Choking on These Vowel Sounds Mix

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MAY 18th. The 5 Spot in East Nashville. 9pm. E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza. BE THERE!

It's Monday... blech... I have a rough week at work so if posts get spotty that is why, but I will do my best.  Just over one week until the 5th Anniversary Party. I hope you will come if you can.

My music play sorts by first name (it does recognize "The" by the way). Anyway, all of the songs today were from the letters A-D purely by chance. I  did have to double check at one point to make sure the shuffle mode was really set... 

Dig!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Like I Care Mix

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The First Annual E2TG Anniversary Extravaganza!  May 18! The 5 Spot! East Nashville! Everything is falling into place... you are the missing piece!  Be there!        



Wow!  The days seem to be flying by of late... The anniversary show will be here before I know it!  So much to do, so little time... 

A lot on my mind, I kind of feel another of those long, multi-subject posts coming on.. kind of the state of my mind address/manifesto...

Kind of sort of non-music related, but I went to an art talk last night at The Red Arrow Gallery in East Nashville.  The talk was between Joe Nolan (who besides being an excellent songwriter/singer also writes about art) and Lindsy Davis.  Lindsy's incredible show at Red Arrow is closing this weekend, so if you are in Nashville go see it.  (Just to make a connection for you) Lindsy also happens to be the creator of the "Bob" image from Darrin Bradbury's album The Story of Bob (which I use as my profile picture on Facebook).  So, see it does relate to music... Anyway, the talk was illuminating and inspiring and seems to have set off some creative sparks for me personally. 

So, the moral of all this is to say, go out and explore some art.  Even if you don't think of yourself as an "art" person, go to an art talk (if possible one with Joe Nolan) and listen and take in the art with an open mind and open heart.  Art (visual, musical, verbal, whatever) is an important part of the fabric of our world.  As governments cut funding and society tries to marginalize true art (while elevating people who almost literally do nothing), art endures and it is vital and needs to be supported.

Coming down off my soapbox - it is Friday.  Featured stuff coming up...

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - How We Wonder Mix

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Less than two weeks until the E2TG 5 Year Anniversary Extravaganza!

Last night was a great night of music... 

It began with the opening night of the RB Morris residency at The 5 Spot with Jon Byrd opening.  Two super-talented songwriters/singers backed by amazing bands.  Next week, RB Morris' guests will be Lowell Levinger aka "Banana" of The Youngbloods and Tim Lee 3!  The following week 2/3 of Tim Lee 3 (aka BARK) will be part of the Ear to the Ground Anniversary show!

After the early show, I headed to The Country for Drew Kohl's 1 Year Anniversary show for his record, Sweetheart.  You may recall that I reviewed that album last year. The bill also included Kiely Schlesinger and Taylor Alexander.  Seeing all those folks and running into Jon Latham, I was reminded of an epic night in the fall of 2014 when I first heard all of those folks for the first time. 

Now, it is time for Throwback Thursday.  You know, when I started Ear to the Ground, I was struggling to get my hands on new music to feature, and so it was by necessity that I had tons of old songs (classics/rarities/whatever) in my playlist.  Today, I could probably keep a pretty decent sized playlist going with just new releases being sent my way.

So, you may ask, why keep loading old songs into your playlist?  It is pretty simple really. I believe that all music is connected in some way.  By playing both new and old songs, helps me to put new music into context and brings the connections into sharper focus.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Sniffing That Frog Powder Mix

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Julie Christensen with Sergio Webb and Chris Tench, BARK, Adrian + Meredith, Patrick Kinsley and A Fistful of Dollars, and The Foresters - One Night! May 18! E2TG 5 Years!


ICYMI - E2TG premiered a new song by Douglas/Warren earlier today - check it out!

Also, my review of Strange Majik's Raised on Rock 'N' Roll is up now at No Depression.

In November 2013, my friend David Horton sent me a message to let me know that Darrin Bradbury (whose previous band Big Wilson River, I had written about in 2012) was going to be moving to Nashville and to keep an eye out for him.  Darrin started kicking major league ass in Nashville, and I named him my Artist of the Year for 2014. Today, Darrin Bradbury was named one of 10 New Country Artists You Need to Know by Rolling Stone Country.  I could not be more proud.

Tonight I am recommending:  RB Morris with Jon Byrd at The 5 Spot to kick off Morris' month-long residency.  And after that, Drew Kohl will be ecebrating the one year anniversary of his EP, Sweetheart at The Country with other cook folks like Tayor Alexander and Kiely Schlesinger.

Over the course of these last five years, I have had a blast creating playlists that represent the broad spectrum of my musical tastes and interests, and then letting the shuffle function work its magic.  Some folks may think that traditional bluegrass segueing into death metal makes any sense.  But, I disagree..  every odd combination and awkward transition is to my mind a reflection of the fabric of this life....

The Wild Wednesday shuffle is meant to be a celebration of that weird awkwardness... enjoy!

E2TG Premiere - Single: "Missin' On You" by Douglas/Warren

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PHOTO (CREDIT: BLAKE BROOKS )

E2TG is proud to premiere the new single by Nashville-based singer/songwriter Chris Douglas Keller who is recording under the name Douglas/Warren.  After the jump, you can read his story and take a listen to his new single, "Missin' On You" which will be released on Friday May 6.

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - It's Too Late Mix

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MAY 18. The 5 Spot. 9pm. $5. Be there!

Hey - welcome to Tuesday.  E2TG turns 5 this month, and I am going to reflect on this milestone throughout the month.

Other than the incredible people I have met as a result of writing this blog, my next favorite thing has been all of the music from all over the world that has come to my ears. Music, I might otherwise never have had the opportunity to hear. Not only that, but I am fortunate enough to get to write about and try to help spread the news about this great music.

Let's jump right into the Trending Tuesday shuffle which contains some music that fits that last description.

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Dying of Thirst Mix

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Come to the E2TG 5 Year Extravaganza on May 18 @ The 5 Spot (9pm) - A stellar line-up of talent and maybe cake*
(*maybe not cake, but you won't know if you do not come)

E2TG began in May 2011 on a wing and a prayer and on the now defunct website Posterous.  Milestones and anniversaries are always a good time to look back and reflect, and as I do so, at the beginning of this anniversary month, the word that comes to my mind is gratitude. At the risk of being cheesy, it is almost inconceivable for me to think about how my life might be if I had never started Ear to the Ground. During some of my darkest times, this blog and more importantly the friends I have made and the people I have met because of E2TG have realty helped to keep me going.

So, I think through this month, I will take every appropriate opportunity to express that gratitude...