I have been thinking lately about the Will Kimbrough song, "Less Polite" (see right below). Generally, I do believe in civil discourse about political differences. But honestly, lately, it is getting difficult. Don't get me wrong I am willing to have serious and civil discourse with anybody - across the political spectrum - as long as the starting point of that discourse is about how to get rid of this evil and un-American budding dictatorship. I am frankly disgusted and appalled that more people on the right - of which I know there are some basically decent people do not stand up to this assault on our way of life.
Jumping back into the daily grind after an enjoyable weekend with my daughter and another fun recording for a future Double Shot show...
A quick reality check: Right now in America (2017), Customs agents are stopping domestic travelers and demanding papers. Among the high profile people detained under the guidance from the Republican administration: a noted children's author, an American Olympic medalist, the son of Muhammad Ali, and (chillingly) a note historian who specializes in studies of the Holocaust. This is not the America I have known my whole life.
The Republican administration (which has placed white nationalists in positions of power) has made up three different "terrorist" attacks to justify a travel ban. And, they have remained silent to real terror attacks by white nationalists on people of color across the country.
Okay - to music... First of all, because I don't get to say this every day - check out The Voice on NBC tonight to see and hear my friend and Earie award winner Taylor Alexander!
Reminder! Details coming very soon, but #E2TG will be taking over The 5 Spot every single Wednesday in May (there are 5 of them). It's all to celebrate the 6th Anniversary of this blog. I cannot wait to tell you who you will be seeing and hearing, but it's going to be great!
On Monday, we shuffle up songs from our Music City playlist - featuring songs with Nashville connections....
First of all, I need to offer all the kind words and encouragements for my recent run of commentary. Believe me when I say this is something I would rather not do. But, I feel it is something I must do. I have tried my best to distinguish partisan differences which will always exist and always be up for debate from the far more serious threat to our nation and our way of life. The problem, as I see it, is that the more outrageous the words and actions of the current administration get and the more deafening the silence from many of the leaders of the Republican Party (save for a few brave voices), the more difficult it is to do. It is hard to unwind abuses of power, overt racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and other forms of bigotry from the policies that arise out of those evils. More to the point, when party leaders look past or ignore fascist words and actions for the sake of their agenda - it is hard to not harden your heart to that agenda - which may or may not reflect those despicable characteristics. We are watching and we are speaking out. Customs agents asking passengers on a domestic airline to "show their papers". State leaders voting to effectively make political dissent illegal, Executive branch officials asking the intelligence community to discredit the free press and to produce intelligence reports that support their agenda. An administration that has made up three non-existent terrorist attacks and yet calls America's major media organizations "enemies of the people" and purveyors of "Fake News" which seems to be defined as any news that does not support the agenda of that administration.
So, yeah, I don't see myself stopping writing these relatively brief commentaries any time soon - although I really wish my reasons for doing it would go away and soon.
I had such a good time last night at the 10th Anniversary celebration for Jon Byrd's album Byrd's Auto Parts. The show - at the Family Wash - featured many of the players on that album. The second set featured guest spots from David Raines, Amelia White, and Kevin Gordon. The night was a reminder of how great a music town we have in Nashville.
All right - well it is Friday and right now it is about 78 degrees on February 24 in Nashville. On Friday, we go back to our "New Music" playlist and we hit shuffle and see what happens. Here is what happened when I did that this morning....
So, I was thinking - I tend to do that quite a bit... These days so many of us are angry or scared or outraged or appalled or depressed or otherwise distressed... basically anyone who cares about: people with disabilities, the education of our children, healthcare, the environment, people of color, people who look different, the LGBT (etc.) community, the free press, this country, the world... is likely feeling any one or more or all of those emotions just about every day.
And we are - and we are spurned to actions - however much or little we are able to do... but in the midst of calling our leaders and signing petitions and writing letters and protesting and creating art and writing about things we normally don't write about... take the time to love. Love everyone. Love generously, love without limits, love yourselves...
It is okay to be afraid. Fear is not the problem. Acting based upon fear is the problem. So if you are afraid - try taking some action of love - however small. It helps. (This self-reminder is a public service announcement from me)...
I had a blast at the final edition of Brian Langlinais' residency at The 5 Spot. Brian is awesome and he put together a killer band. Adrian + Meredith and Fifth and Main provided support. The Gumbo and King Cake were incredible. The company was great.
Tonight, it is the 10th Anniversary of Jon Byrd's album, Byrd's Auto Parts at The Family Wash. Should be a blast. Jon Byrd "Doesn't Rock Ever" but he does what he does better than anyone else.
It is Thursday - we continue our "Theme Thursday" series. Songs loosely connected to an unstated central theme (even if the connection is all in my head). Let's go!
Today what is on my mind is intellectual curiosity. I have heard this term used quite a bit recently, and often in the context of the current President lacking this quality. So, I wondered what does this mean...
"The intellectually curious person has a deep and persistent desire to know. She asks and seeks answers to the “why” questions. And she doesn’t stop asking at a surface level, but instead asks probing questions in order to peel back layers of explanation to get at the foundational ideas concerning a particular issue." from Psychology Today April 2014
So, I think this means (in simplistic terms): I observe something or get some information, and I first ask is this information/observation true. And if it turns out to be true or accurate, then I begin asking "why"and I keep asking "why" until I get to the core issue/ truth.
So, how does this relate to our current administration. "Immigrants and refugees commit a disproportionate number of crimes" - maybe this was said by someone or maybe I noticed when I read a news article about a crime - it often seems like the perpetrator is a non-citizen. Okay - what next. An intellectually curious person would first try to get data and facts to support this statement or observation and then (IF) proven would begin asking "Why" questions and continue until reaching a core issue that can be addressed in a meaningful way.
As for someone lacking intellectual curiosity... well, I think we can all see what would happen next...
Tonight - Brian Langlinais wraps up his month-long residency at The 5 Spot. It will be a party and believe me Cajun's know how to party. E2TG faves Adrian + Meredith open plus Fifth and Main (from Detroit) will perform followed by Langlinais and Earl 6. Not to mention a promise of Cajun food!
Let's jump right into the Wild Wednesday shuffle- true to its name - we cover a lot of musical ground today...
Alrighty then, I am back after a long weekend. As usual, I got a lot done and feel like I could have done more. Saturday night, I took in Jon Latham, Josh Morris, and Sean Quinn at The Country. Excellent music, and good times.
Sunday, it was Stone Cupid (trio with Julie Christensen, Chris Tench, and Sergio Webb) at Studio 62 on Main Street in East Nashville. Always good to see and hear them play.
Meanwhile, the surreal disaster that is our current administration in the US continues to defy... well fill in the blank.. common sense, decency, legality, reality. A "campaign"rally - a month after inauguration... filled with at least 13 factually questionable statements... including an allusion to an attack "last night" against Sweden which never happened.
Here's the deal, writing this blog, I have inadvertently posted things that turned out to be incorrect. I once (based upon a wikipedia article) stated that a noted producer co-wrote a song. When I was corrected, by the writer of said song, I immediate edited my post to include the correct information (while leaving the incorrect information struck out) and I apologize for the error.
In contrast, when this administration is called out on misstatements, they double down, the shift blame, or they respond in some bizarre fashion that leaves their followers to believe the lie to be the truth. (i.e. many supporters of the current administration still believe the "media" is covering up an attack on Sweden).
Oh and let's not forget the non-stop attacks on the free press - who dare to ask "hard questions" and challenge untruths.
Okay, okay. I'm done for now. The above views are my own and should not be associated with any artists featured on my page.
**********************************************************************
Before we leap ahead into the Shuffle... I would like to present a video from The Suitcase Junket. I first saw The Suitcase Junket - a uniquely talented one-man band - a couple of years ago at The 5 Spot. He has a brand new album - his label debut coming soon, and today, we have a video from that album for the song, "The Next Act". Check it out below, and keep listening to E2TG for more from the album which is called, Pile Driver.
Today is Tuesday and we have our "Trending Tuesday" shuffle forthcoming....after the jump...
"I know politics bore you, but I feel like a hypocrite talking to you and your racist friend." - TMBG
I'll try to keep this brief... (try being the operative word). To my mind, there are two different battles being fought right now.
1. A (mainly) partisan battle over policies which many of us feel are bad policies. Policies that target the most vulnerable of our citizens, that threaten our environment, and that diminish public safety of all Americans. These are battles that we would be fighting regardless of who was in the White House.
2. The second battle is, I believe, a fight against an unstable man who heads up the Executive Branch of government and who is surrounded by white nationalists and bigots of every shape and size. It is a battle over the increasingly likely possibility that Russia successful influenced the results of the presidential election in the US, and that the current administration was an active participant in that process, and that decisions are being made by the current administration which give the appearance of being influenced that interference.
These two battles are both important. And, it is easy to get distracted by one and forget about the other. It is also possible that one is being used as a distraction to provide cover for the other.
These are, I believe, trying times. And, even beyond this current administration, there are deeply disturbing trends (some of which I alluded to yesterday). We are nation divided not only by principles and values and beliefs, but also, by our perception of the world around us.
Today, I don't have any answers. To those on the front lines of these battles - #Persist #Resist!
Last night, I recorded next weeks Double Shot show and then made the decision to go out to Springwater to see Earie winners Brian Milligram and Jon Worthy perform, and to see Jeremiah Tall - who I had written about some time ago, and to see a band I was not familiar with Cullen Wade and the Waters. I'm glad I went out. Jeremiah Tall - who performs as a one-man band with a suitcase for a kick drum - was excellent. Brian Milligram - performing live for the first time in a few months (and playing as a three piece) was as good as I remember - throwing a Woody Guthrie song and an anarchist punk cover into his set - which included some of my favorites from Dead Letters. I am now a fan of Cullen Wade and The Waters - two of whose members are from Louisiana. They are on my radar and I can't wait to hear more. Jon Worthy went on last, and there were not many of us left when we played - which is a shame, but it happens. I loved hearing him play some of my favorite songs of the two albums we have featured on E2TG.
SHOW ALERT: Tomorrow night is a E2TG recommended show at The Country (located one block over from Springwater). Sean Quinn and the Tremblers (whose new album we reviewed yesterday), Earie Award winner Josh Morris, and 2015 Artist of the Year (and 2016 Earie Winner) Jon Latham. This should be a wonderful show.
Let's jump into the shuffle - Featured Friday style!
Okay - today I am mostly going to let my shuffle speak for itself... but I was thinking last night about something I wrote yesterday and something I've heard repeated,,, for many of us, as we observe what is happening in the world - in Washington. As we are horrified and angry and yes at times amused (Bowling Green Massacre), we are left to the great mystery - why are there still people supporting this administration. Or more importantly, why/how are there people who actually think it is going well. The conclusion I came to is two-fold. First of all, they are seeing the world through a filter that makes things look very different than what I am seeing. Am I also looking at the world through a filter? Sure, I imagine we are to a certain extent. But, in most cases, that filter has limits. In most cases, it is possible to find some common ground of agreement - but in recent times - and this did not start by any means with the election of the current President - that ability to find any common ground has seemed elusive. So, whereas I may view a speech or a talk show appearance or a tweet - as dangerous or delusional or dishonest, someone viewing through a different filter - may see it as brave or refreshing or brutally honest.
The second thing is the proliferation of extremist propaganda outlets disguised as news sources. There is a meme going around that attempts to provide guidance in this area, and although some may argue with the placement of certain outlets on that chart, the basic premise is pretty hard to dismiss. Add to that the logarithms employed by sites like Facebook but make it less likely that you will see posts that go against your worldview. To my friends on the left (and this is to me as well), maybe - just maybe - I should read some of those far right sites - just to understand what kinds of information is being fed to those friends of ours who still support this President. Not to forgive or excuse or justify - just to try to gain some understanding...
Then, we need to find away to fight back against extremist of all kinds and shapes and the powers that shape and control those extremists...
Moving on... Had a blast at the first ever WXNA night at Kay Bob's Grill and Ale last night. They are doing this every third Wednesday. From 5-11pm a percentage of sales goes to WXNA!
ICYMI - My review of the new album from Sean Quinn and the Tremblers was posted this morning. You can read it HERE.
Now for Theme Thursday,.... usual disclaimers apply - just songs that loosely fit a predetermined theme (unexplained). Some times - the connection is just a title that makes me think of something that fits the theme. Also, I do not mean to ascribe any motives political or otherwise to any of the artists/songs
“Summer loving is so typical, for the first time it feels like it’s reciprocal. I saw you dancing on the side of the stage, trying so hard not to act your age.”
So, begins “Later Days” which, after a short, sultry instrumental "Prologue", kicks off Never Meant to Last - the debut album by Sean Quinn and The Tremblers. This is pure, kick ass, sweet, ballsy pop music. Bringing to mind music from several decades before, but refreshingly original and catchy as hell.
“Our opponents, the media and the whole world will soon see, as we begin to take further actions, that the powers of the president to protect our country are very substantial and will not be questioned,” said Stephen Miller, Mr Donald Trump’s senior policy director.
The above comments should be a cause for alarm to any rational thinking American citizen regardless of political affiliation. This is totalitarianism at work - and in the context of the information coming about Russia and the elections, it should be the impetus to speed up the process of impeachment (which seems at this point to be inevitable). This kind of mentality which seems to inhabit the current administration runs counter to the guiding principles of this nation. On a more personal level, we are already seeing proposed changes which will cause great harm to millions of American's with disabilities. The disabled were among the many groups targeted by the Nazi party in Germany. This is not a coincidence. Enough - for now. I attended the 9th Annual Love is Deaf show at Douglas Corner. It was my first to attend. To me this was a quintessential Nashville event. Couple perform a song - in many cases 1 partner is a non-musician and the other is a professional. The performers and the audience contained some pretty incredible names. The performances ranged from funny, to touching, to gorgeous. I definitely intend to make this a valentine's day tradition. My Double Shot partner Sue Havlish made me proud - backed my Mark Robinson on bongos. Among the performers was Tommy Tutone of "867-5309" fame - who is a long time Nashville resident. Also, Don Henry, Bobby Braddock's daughter, John Reed and Heather Lose, and many more... It is Wednesday and we have our usual "Wild Wednesday" shuffle which comes from a shuffle of all of the songs on my device.
My question for today... If there is any possibility (not to mention what now seems a probability) that American interests have been compromised by illicit contact with the Russian government, should not any American (regardless of ideological leanings) be interested in knowing the truth? Asking for a friend...
BIG NEWS TIME!
Well, the cat is almost/partially out of the bag.... In celebration of and as a thanks to everyone, E2TG will be hosting the early show every Wednesday in May! I will have a different co-host each week - I am finalizing the lineup and crossing i's and dotting t's, but I am super excited about these 5 shows. Expect to hear much more soon!
It is Tuesday and we have some trending music to get you through these early week blues... (NOTE: Some days, I can find every single song in the shuffle on You Tube - some days, not so much. I think I found three of the actual songs and in one case, I could not find any videos at all for the artist.... plus the embed is still not working.. I mean - WTF? Ah well, enjoy! Great music!
Look - I HATE talking about politics but as I have repeatedly said, to me the current administration has transcended politics. The incompetence, corruption, deceptions, and overt xenophobia and several other isms and phobias should be something that most Americans can agree upon. As left and right, Democrat and Republican, Progressive and Conservative - we can and should debate things like economic policies, immigration policies, foreign policy... and though we may fundamentally disagree of these issues - we should be able to stand united toward some basic principles of ethics, decorum, legality, and national security. And please do not misunderstand - part of the (largely peaceful) protests are about disagreements over policy (and yes the right and importance of those protests should be one of those basic principles on which we should all agree), the more troubling facts are the repeated and unapologetic lapses in those basic principles. I am talking about making up terrorist attacks, verbally attacking members of the judiciary, using the office and position of the Presidency for personal gain, collaborating with foreign powers to undermine the electoral system etc.
Oh yeah, and the last time I checked, there is still a white supremacist with unchecked powers in the top rungs of the Executive Branch.
So yeah, I HATE talking about politics. This is not politics. #Resist #Persist
******
Time is moving along! It is Monday February 13! First off, I have a major announcement coming soon about E2TG and our 6th Anniversary will is coming up in May. Stay tuned!
Monday - we always (for the past several months at least) feature great music connected to Nashville, Tennessee - aka Music City USA).
Got to catch a solo set by Jon Latham last night followed by hanging with some friends and watching Aaron Lee Tasjan make his television debut on Conan. It was great to see Brian Wright get some camera time.
It is Friday. We have some "featured" selections shuffled from the "New Music" playlist...
Okay, I'm back. Took a day off to recuperate from something...
There are so many shameful things being said and done by the current administration in Washington that it can be overwhelming to anyone (left or right) who has any shred of decency or sense. And that is the point... things like making up the "Bowling Green Massacre" and a fictional radical Islam attack on Atlanta - these are not slips of tongue they are deliberate attempts of obfuscate and distract. Making wild claims like that the media is covering up/failing to report terrorists attacks and then when pressed producing a list of attacks which includes many that were widely reported by the press - this is a purposeful tactic.
Meanwhile, the majority in Congress are silencing those who speak out against a racist Attorney General nominee while voting in goose step... er, I mean lock step to rubber stamp the most egregious and unqualified of this regimes nominees.
Meanwhile, a white supremacist who was neither elected or vetted still seems to be running the show in the White House which is now using our tax payers money to promote the business interest of the President's daughter.
I am going to stop until this madness is ended. #Persist #Resist
In much better news, East Nashville's own Aaron Lee Tasjan will be making his television debut on Conan O'Brien tonight and he will be accompanied by none other than 2016 E2TG Artist of the Year Brian Wright! There is going to be a viewing party (emphasis on PARTY) at the Basement East Pub tonight - as we cheer them on and shed a few tears of joy.
It is Thursday, and we continue with my "Theme" which began in January and continues. On one level, this "theme" Thursday is just a new mechanism to feature music from my phone memory card. On another, it is my attempt to find songs that fit (somewhat/kind of/sort of) a predetermined but undefined theme. As I said, I do not intend to imply nor should you infer that the writers/performers of these songs meant for these songs to have a meaning that would conform with my theme. Sometimes, the title phrase just triggered a thought or I made some wild logical jump to decide to include the songs in this playlist.
Greetings from a rainy Tuesday. Last night, I attended the premiere (I think) edition of Madison Guild Mondays at Dee's Country Cocktail Lounge. Last night was hosted by none other than 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury. Songwriters featured included: Zach Schmidt, Adam Kurtz (of Buck N Stuff fame), Tim Easton, Don Gallardo, Matt Haeck, Steven Knudson, Javi Jones, Jon Latham and more. Darrin closed the night joined by Laur Joamets on guitar.
I will probably be ranting more tomorrow about the insanity in which we find ourselves. Until then: #Resist!
It is Tuesday and time to shuffle up some songs from the "New Music" playlist. Enjoy! (by the way, I could not find many of the exact songs on YouTube - so enjoy a mix of other songs by the artists featured)...
So, Super Bowl ads portraying the current and past struggles and accomplishments of immigrants are "anti-Trump"... hmm... meanwhile, it is becoming increasingly clear that, not only is a white supremacist in the White House, but he is actually the one calling the shots.
Moving on - for now - took in some excellent music over the weekend. Friday night - enjoyed another outstanding Tim Carroll Rock n Roll Happy Hour with Reeves Gabrels - who currently plays guitar with The Cure and who played for many years alongside David Bowie - added his unique and distinct musical voice to the show. After that, I headed to the Basement for a pretty darn stacked lineup that included Reuben Bidez, Tim Easton, Don Gallardo, and a full-band set from Rayvon Pettis.
Saturday - faced with a myriad of choices, I trekked to Brentwood for Joanna Barbera's CD Release show with Megan Palmer opening. Then, I made my way to The Basement East in time to catch a rousing set by Chuck Mead and the Grassy Knoll Boys - part of Honky Tonk Saturday.
Sunday was spent working and resting and working and watching some game...
Time for Music City Monday - music from or connected to Nashville..
First all thanks for the support and kind words following my "rant" yesterday. I am going to keep my off-topic portion of the blog post short and sweet.
There is a white supremacist in the White House who has been given unprecedented power over domestic and international affairs. - Yes I have posted this before, but I will continue to say it until it is not the case.
Today is Friday and we shuffle up some tunes from the "New Music" playlist which includes mostly music sent to or given to me by artists, publicists etc. These are all somewhat "new" releases, but I don't really have a set time period to when I take albums/songs off this playlist. Anyway, it is a good one, so let's jump in.
Some facts (real facts not alternate facts): I am the parent of a child with disabilities who has benefited from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The IDEA (in case you do not know - which I did not until it become relevant to me) is a complex (and wonderful) federal law. To keep it simple, one of the things that the law requires is that all students with disabilities (physical, intellectual...) be provided the opportunity to learn in the least restrictive environment - which means kids with disabilities cannot simply be locked away out of sight in a basement - as they often were before this law was enacted.
Now, this President who openly mocked an individual with disabilities while campaigning (and don't even try to throw the ridiculous spin at me that tries to say he did not) has nominated for Secretary of Education someone who openly opposes many of the provisions of the IDEA and who during her confirmation hearing appeared to not even know what the IDEA was.
Furthermore, this President's nominee for Attorney General in testimony before Congress in 2000, while seeming to praise the "intent" of the law, bemoaned the fact that the law requires school systems to give students with disabilities "special treatment". This "special treatment" is actually what the law intends. Qualifying students with special needs have a Individualized Education Program (IEP) which is developed by a team that includes educators, specialists, and parents. The idea, to put it simply, is that "special" plans/programs are needed to assure all students are given the best opportunity available. Honestly, in a perfect world, every student should have some sort of IEP - because all kids learn differently... but that is another topic.
Just to clarify, to comments from the AG nominee should be alarming to any parent of a child with disabilities because they point to possible interpretations or modifications of the law which would undermine the intent of the law and set our education system back to some very dark times for the children who benefit from the IDEA.
This is just one, more personal, reason that I am breaking from my usual non-political comment policy. This is not political. The IDEA has long held wide-spread bi-partisan support (although the fight for full funding is another issue). RANT OVER!
I had a good time at the opening night of Brian Langlinais' Residency at The 5 Spot. Lynn Taylor and The Bar Flies opened the night. Really good music from a couple of Louisiana natives. After that, I was physically pretty wiped out and had to retreat home which means I, regretfully, missed a show at The Basement which included 2016 E2TG Artist of the Year Brian Wright. From all accounts, I missed a great one - which I already knew...
Now, let's get to the music. It is Thursday and we return to our relatively new Theme Thursday shuffle. Contrary to what I said last week, I have decided to keep going with our (unstated) January theme. I still have songs in that playlist and it seems to be more relevant every day, Disclaimers continue... some songs are included only for their title (as it COULD be interpreted) and some for their subject matter. The interpretations are mine alone, and the inclusion of any song/artist is not intended to suggest that they or their songs have anything to do with my theme.
One more tidbit of information, I created this playlist solely out of the songs already on my phone at the time it was created.
By the way, a white supremacist/propagandist has been given unprecedented power by the current president. I am not okay with this. #Notapoliticalcomment #Facts #Vigilance #Resistance
Man - some days, you just have to push forward purely on force of will... yesterday, after a full day of work, I recorded an upcoming Double Shot show, then I headed to The 5 Spot for another $2 Tuesday. Elli Perry, Thor Platter, Los Colognes - including Derek Hoke joining for a new song of his, AJ Hobbs (who I have featured here on E2TG and who is in the New Music playlist - by the way AJ Hobbs backing band included all three members of Buck N' Stuff, and the late night set was Buck N' Stuff themselves Not a bad night of music for $2. Dragging a bit today - but...
Today's Wild Wednesday Shuffle comes from a random shuffle of all of the songs currently on my phone.
