Friday, October 28, 2016

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - No Bees in the Breeze Mix



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This has been a pretty rough week, to be honest... I haven't been feeling particularly wonderful, but it is Friday, and for right now, I am feeling pretty okay.

Last night was one of those nights that really make me glad to live in Nashville. Zach Schmidt, who is one of the best people I know and a great songwriter/artist, too, held his CD Release party at imogene + willie over in 12th South. It was a wonderful, candlelit backyard party. A great atmosphere and an amazing line-up of performers including: Hugh Masterson, Becca Mancari, Jon Latham, Charlie Whitten, Joshua Black Wilkins, Brian Wright, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and more. Schmidt closed the evening with a full-band set. His album, The Day We Lost the War is out, and worthy of attention.

Another album that is out (as of today) is Aaron Lee Tasjan's Silver Tears.  Tasjan who has been on an unstoppable upward trajectory since I became aware of his music may have just hit the hyper-drive. To celebrate the new album, he is, as I write this, conducting bus tour #12barblues and making stops (and performances) at 12 venues in and around Nashville.  It all culminates tonight at 3rd and Lindsley.  Brian Wright opens tonight's show and joins Tasjan on stage.

If all goes as planned, there will likely be no shuffles next week, but look for some posts from the highways...

By the way, not that I pay attention to things like this, but... as I am writing this, E2TG is 17 page views away from October 2016 being the highest page view month ever. Thanks for everyone who is reading.

On to the music shuffle....

Thursday, October 27, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Rails on Rails Mix



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Very short on time... last night was great. The finale of the October Crackerboots residency - with Peter Cooper opening accompanied by Tom Jutz. I love Peter Cooper's songs so much, plus he closed with "Boulder to Birmingham" by Emmylou Harris and Bill Danoff, which I love.

Great show for the late show - loved The Battlefield - who I last and first saw three years ago at a New Faces night at The Basement. They from L.A., and I really dig their music.  And course, Don Gallardo.  His songs!  Man!  Adam Kurtz was on pedal steel - which serves as a transition...

Tonight, among what I am sure are a ton of worth things - including some that I would really like to see, Zach Schmidt will be celebrating the release of his new album, The Day We Lost the War. There will be special guest galore - and it's free (BYOB) at imogene + willie. 7pm. SHARP! Oh yeah, the transition... Adam Kurtz will be playing this show, too.

Let's throw it back... minimal commentary due to time constraints...

Wednesday, October 26, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Be Easy and Free Mix




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I need to be a little brief... my "new" phone came in, so the transition process has begun. The good news is that it will solve some of the issues I have been having.  It may just take a bit to get the music all squared away... deciding if I do a straight dump of everything or do some culling of older "remainders" from albums I featured a long time ago... Either way, the time consuming part will be rebuilding the playlists. Wish those were my biggest problems...

Tonight, the finale of the Crackerboots residency.  If you haven't made it out to this point, you would make an effort. You will not be disappointed. If you have made it out, I don't need to tell you...   Peter Cooper opens.  The late show features several bands including the always amazing Don Gallardo!

Wednesday, we get wild and free with some music from covering all sorts of genres, eras, geographic locations, and more...

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Static Mix



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Time keeps marching on... I took a couple of concrete steps toward my little getaway I am planning for next week.

Prerecorded another "Double Shot" show last night - it is a good one and will air on November 5.

Slowly but surely getting over the bug I had over the weekend.

Last week, I stacked up all of the new CDs that I have received in 2016 for E2TG, it's a big stack and I've received two more since then, plus it doesn't include all of the music I received on download.  It's getting really close to the end of the year, and the 2nd Annual "Earie" Awards... there I said it. I definitely have some pondering and relistening to do.

It is Tuesday, and that is when we see what the old shuffle function says is "Trending" on E2TG.

Monday, October 24, 2016

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Lovin' Me Again Mix



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Blargh... nothing like a nasty stomach bug to put the kibosh in plans... I'm feeling better... just a little queasy sometimes.. but I will push on and no details will be offered.

Jumping into the new week just some random tidbits... I am going to be getting a new phone soon and will eventually be moving all the songs to it and recreating playlists. Fortunately, the old phone is still functional, so I can continue to use it during the transition. Also, I am plotting a vacation, and I am hoping to post some missives from the road. More to come...

It is Monday in Music City (and other places)... here are some tunes with a Nashville connection...

Friday, October 21, 2016

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - A Hole in the Heart Mix



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Well... it hasn't been an easy week, but it is Friday and cooler temperatures have descended upon our fair Music City.  Look for the Athens of the South Festival coming up tomorrow in East Park with great music and art and stuff.  Darrin Bradbury, Adrian + Meredith and more will be there.

A bunch of other things that I can't remember right now.  Get out and see some music, enjoy the weather, be good to each other.. I think that is enough for right now.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Don't Tell Andy, Don't Tell Aunt Bee Mix



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I logged on to Facebook this morning to read about the passing of Chris Porter and a band mate in an auto accident last night on their way home from a show. Another band member was in serious condition last I heard.  I did not know Chris well, but several of my musician friends did, and my heart goes out to all who are feeling this loss today. And to all my touring musician friends, be safe.

What comes to my mind is a $2 Tuesday show earlier this year. I was really tired, and I had about decided to pack it in before the last act played. Jon Latham said, you really don't want leave, and he told me that Chris and his band were going to play. So, I stayed, and Porter did an amazing kickass rock and roll set that woke me up good and proper.  I am really glad I stayed.
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Really dug the second night of Crackerboot's Residency at The 5 Spot. Luella, Bill DeMain and company sounded amazing.  It was great to see and hear Ben de la Cour and William Lee who opened.

Throwback Thursday shuffle is up next...


Wednesday, October 19, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Get Used to It Mix



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We have arrived at mid-week which means it is time for the next incarnation of the Crackerboots Residency at The 5 Spot. Last week was awesome - so come on out. This week's guests are Ben De La Cour and William Lee.

On Wednesday, all bets are off... Music City? Yes! Trending? Yes Throwback? Yes Featured? Yes None of the Above? Yes.  Wild Shuffle - now!

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Wabi-Sabi Mix



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Here we go... it's Tuesday... I'm a little short on time so... let us jump right into the shuffle... from the "New Music" playlist...

Monday, October 17, 2016

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Road and a Flash of Lightning Mix



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Welcome to the working week...   here is a musical recap of my weekend.  Friday, enjoyed another Tim Carroll Rock and Roll Happy Hour show at The 5 Spot.  Saturday, did a live show of Double Shot with Joe and Sue.  Then, I listened to Gina Frary Bacon and Gregory Riggle's interview with Tim Carroll on Nashville U.  Then, I headed to the Southern Festival of Books just in time to catch Tomi Lunsford's set. Then to Beared Iris Brewery in Germantown to catch a bunch of cool songwriters hosted by Tom Schreck.  Saw some old friends, including Schreck, Ariel Bui, Kiely Schlesinger (back by Drew Kohl), and finally got to see Ben Douglas.  Then, I headed to Douglas Corner Cafe to catch a round with Tom House, RB Morris, and Michael "Supe" Granda.  David Olney was supposed to be a part of this, but he had to sit out under doctor's orders. It was a fine night, nonetheless, with three very distinct songwriters and some great stories.

Sunday night, after a kind of lazy day, I got the exact show I needed to energize my spirit. One of those incredible, unlikely Nashville nights. At the (still unofficial) reincarnation of one of Nashville's storied venues (Radio Cafe), I caught a set by local legend Greg Garing, plus a lively and fun set of punk rock from The Buddies.  The Buddies are made up of two members of Black Vincent (including front man Coley Kennedy) from Michigan plus Nashvillian's Justin, Scott, and Kim Collins (Justin and the Cosmics, Smoking Flowers). And the night ended, it superb raucous style by a band billed as World's Greatest Eagle Scouts, but who reminded me a whole lot of Blackfoot Gypsies - I guess because it was...  It was amazing seeing this band in such an intimate setting. At one point, the Collins' brothers brought a table and chairs on stage and sat and smoked and drank. Later, the whole bar was rolled up to the front of the stage. Beer cans were flying, people were dancing.  It was a great way to end a Sunday night.

Now, we roll into Monday. Here at E2TG, that means we feature songs from the Music City Monday playlist - songs/artists/albums with some connection to Nashville. Let's go!

Friday, October 14, 2016

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Subpoenas Ain't Setups Mix



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Man oh man, there is a lot of hatred and anger and fear and incivility in the world, and thanks to the power of social media/the internet, it is literally in our faces 24/7.

I'm a simple-minded man, and my solution is always music which heals and has the power to unite and to calm a troubled heart, mind, and soul.  Peace. Please try to be kind - even to those who do not treat you kindly. Try... at least try.

Hey... The awesome Drew Kohl will be releasing his new EP which is called New Rain one week from today.  You can take a listen over at No Depression.




We have reached the end of another work week... Here is the Featured Friday Shuffle for today...

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Old Broken Bottle Mix



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I have been laying pretty low this week - trying to work on somethings, but I did manage to get out early last night to see the kick off of the Crackerboots residency at The 5 Spot. Luella and Bill DeMain backed by an amazing band delivered some gorgeous jazz-influenced music. Singer-songwriter Cletus Carr opened, and I dug him.  The residency continues every Wednesday through the end of October.

It is Thursday and throw it back to some music from previous decades... enjoy.

Wednesday, October 12, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Kill You With Their Eyes Mix



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Well, here we are.... a bunch of things are happening... and stuff... whatever.. it is mid-week, and we get "wild" on Wednesday.  But what does that mean... this week, at least, it means we have some wildly good music to share... sit back.

Tuesday, October 11, 2016

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - May Be Strong Mix



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Man there is a lot of ugliness coming to the surface in the world today... but maybe, just maybe, it has to be sucked out in order to be expelled. One can hope. And I do... hope that is. In the mean time, I mostly stick to writing about music. I hope that is okay with you...  

Had a good time recording a Double Shot show last night which will air on Saturday October 22.  Meanwhile, our next live show is coming up with coming Saturday - the 15th.  This is on the mighty WXNALP- Nashville.

We've arrived at Tuesday.  We shuffle some tunes from our "New Music" playlist - these are mostly songs that I acquired either directly from the artist or from a publicist. Some are brand new, some are a bit older.  Once again, a pretty cool mixture of music... dig...

Monday, October 10, 2016

Music City Monday Morning Shuffle - Staring Contest Mix



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Another work week has begun. I took a quick weekend trip to visit family in Georgia. Heading into what could be a busy week. It seems like every five minutes, I get an event invite or notification, and they are all for the same day at roughly the same time. And course, they are almost all things I really want to do. I hope the cloning experiments begin to show some good results by mid-week.

It is Monday, and it is time to shuffle up the Music City Monday playlist.   Looks to be a pretty diverse group of songs.... Let's go!

Friday, October 7, 2016

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - What is Not Lost Mix



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I've decided to tell you a bit more about Buck 'N Stuff because, well, Buck 'N Stuff.  First of all, they do not have any recorded music yet, but there is some live performance documentation in the form of videos. Including this one:



About the band:  Members: Bass: Buck 'N Stuff Bass Player - has been known to play a giant fiddle (but not with Buck 'N Stuff) and is alleged to have once overheard two junkies talking through a motel wall in New Orleans.  Drums: Buck 'N Stuff Drummer - is a strict adherent to Maritime Law and is rumored to be a Cat Lover.  Guitar/Vocals: Buck 'N Stuff Guitarist/Singer - when not playing in Buck 'N Stuff usually can be found sitting behind a twangy table (pro-tip: Do not place drinks on the Twangy Table- word has it that Twangy Table players are kind of sensitive about this). Also does instructional videos about how to properly prepare chicken wings.

Tonight - I will be at Tim Carroll Rock 'N Roll Happy Hour at the world famous The 5 Spot, and then heading to The Beast for a tribute show to both Nebraska and Nashville Skyline featuring a whole bunch of really cool people - many of whom have been played on or featured by E2TG.

Tying all of this together as only E2TG can, today is release day for "How We Lost the War" by Zach Schmidt. This is one you really need to check out.  Schmidt made his Music Roots debut on Wednesday. He is one of the folks for which the Buck 'N Stuff Guitarist/Singer sometimes plays Twangy Table.  And, he will be singing at the tribute show tonight.  See how I did that?

It is Friday - we have some featured songs in the shuffle:

Thursday, October 6, 2016

Throwback Thursday Morning Shuffle - Salvation and Sin Mix



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Happy Thursday... sending good thoughts to everyone in the path of Hurricane Matthew. And especially thinking about those who have lost life and property in the Caribbean.

Congratulations to WXNA-LP Nashville for finishing second to Lightning 100 in the Nashville Scene Readers Poll for Best Radio Station.  A remarkable achievement for a low power station that has only been on the air for 4 month.  Super proud to play a small part in the station, but props go out to our super hard working and dedicated Board and our fearless leader Heather Lose. This achievement is a testament to the impact the station has already had on the community.

Well, the Buck N Stuff show was the epic throw down that I expected. My favorite moment was the Buck Owens cover that they performed. #BuckNStuff are the absolute best. They announced last night that they will be playing The 5 Spot for New Years Eve.  Make your plans now.  2017 is sure to be the Year of Buck N Stuff.

It is Thursday when we throw things back, and I think we have a really awesome shuffle today... shall we?

Wednesday, October 5, 2016

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Like No One Else Mix



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Well, I am back after an extended weekend - some much needed time with my daughter.

Let's see... so Lady Gaga is keeping it real by playing a "dive bar" tour which tonight will be my favorite joint - The 5 Spot. And by keeping it real, I mean shutting the place down for two nights, barricading streets, buses, trucks, (and from what I hear) a ton of gear to play two songs tonight.  Cool, cool..

Anyway, I will be across the river at The Basement for the fourth ever show by Buck N Stuff.  Regular readers will recall that Buck N Stuff is THE best Buck Owens tribute band that I have ever seen.  Okay, they are the only Buck Owens tribute band I have ever seen, but I'd be willing to bet that if I had seen others, they would still be the best. Breathing new life into Buck's great songs, it is sure to be a wild, fun, totally awesome experience. 8:30pm.  My prediction: Buck N Stuff will melt faces, reassemble faces from the melted remains, and then melt faces once again.

Now, it is Wednesday and we are about to get "Wild"