Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - So Sweet Mix

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Today's shuffle is brought to you by the word indictments....
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I'm back after an extra long weekend, and it is Halloween. Personally, I think we all need to just go with funny costumes this year... nothing will come close to being as scary as the news these days...


No Halloween shuffle- just more scary good songs from our "New Music" playlist.  Enjoy!

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Want to be a Cube Baby Mix

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On my mind...  A couple of white supremacist rallys are schedule tomorrow in Shelbyville and Murfreesboro.  Just so I am clear, the only "fine people" are those who oppose these people with out reservation or qualification...  This people represent evil and the worst in humanity. No if's, and's or but's.  To my friends who are planning to go to oppose them in person - be safe and have a plan.

To those who choose to spend the day celebrating love and diversity - be intentional. (that's my challenge to myself).

To be clear, you are okay to have opinions about other groups (AntiFa or whomever), however, 1. make sure you base your opinion on facts and 2. leave those opinions out of our condemnation of the white supremacists.
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#WXNARocktoberfest is tomorrow!  Due to predicted chilly temps, the live music will be happening in The Basement (all-ages) and the WXNA DJ sets will be in Grimey's.  Make a day of it in the most musical building in Nashville.

I worked on adding some new music to my phone which means my "New Music" playlist is now over 400 again....  really pleased with today's shuffle... let's jump to it!

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Air and Water Mix

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Here's the WXNA Rocktoberfest is this Saturday October 28.  The fun starts at 10:15 and continues until about 4:30.  There will be WXNA DJs, Rock n Roll face painting, a food truck, beer, activities for kids, a costume contest, and LIVE music:

Queeens of Noise, Allen Thompson, Western Medication, Kyshona Armstrong, Ornament, and a closing set put together by Paul Burch - a Chuck Berry tribute featuring the amazing Kevin Gordon and Garry Tallent (E Street Band) and more. 

I will be on the air from 11-1pm and then I'll be around the rest of the afternoon. 

Rain or Shine - but hoping for shine.  $5.00 Suggested donation to benefit WXNA!


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Last night a distinctly Nashville show - Amelia White, Sally Jaye, and Megan Palmer in a collaborative round backed by the awesome Sergio Webb.   A fun hang with lots of friendly faces.

Back to the "New Music" shuffle...  Let's do it!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Wall of Indifference Mix

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While I have been trying to post as much "new music" as possible over the last several weeks, I steadfastly refuse to skip my "Wild Wednesday" shuffle.  Basically it is classic E2TG - where recent music resides next to classics from my collection which reside next to lesser known gems of various vintages....

I always look forward to what the shuffle will pull up, and I am almost never disappointed. Case in point....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Emotionally Numb Mix

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On my mind... life seems to be about finding some sense of balance that works for you as an individual. At least this is true for me. Whether it is about staying in vs. going out or about finding the  beauty and joy in life vs. recognizing, exposing, and fighting against injustices. I don't think everyone's balance is the same. And to be honest, it's a little bit daunting to think I know what is best for everyone else.

Anyway, I went out last night - after working all day and then recording a Double Shot show (which will air November 4 with special guests Andy and Lee from Eight O'Five Jive). Headed to the High Watt where Allen Thompson opened for Austin Lucas and Brian Singer. I have to say (again) that I could listen to Allen Thompson sing just about every night.   Brian Singer and Austin Lucas are wrapping up their The Crooner and The Clown tour.  Brian Singer is a comedian. I love the idea of a comedian and a singer-songwriter touring together. I don't see comedians very often - mainly because I end up going to see music. Singer was really funny.  Austin Lucas was amazing as he is every time I see him. He sings with such emotional honesty and his stage presence is disarmingly genuine and funny.  Jon Latham joined him on a few songs which was cool. I was with Jon the first time I saw Austin Lucas.


It is Tuesday and time to see what is "Trending" on E2TG - as we work our way through the new music playlist - currently just under 400 songs but I have tons of e-mails and messages to go through.   It's probably close to time to clear off some songs that have lingering in the playlist for a fair amount of time (especially those from albums that have been featured extensively). Those songs will stay on my phone memory for possible "Wild Wednesday" shuffle feature....

Mondo Monday Music Shuffle - Trampoline Mix

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Another week... the last full week of October. A rainy, gloomy day in Nashville with cooler weather in the forecast.  I've been running behind all day, but I got a few minutes to write this.

Looks like a busy week for live music in Nashville... including Saturday at Grimey's Rocktoberfest to benefit WXNA.  Details to follow. 

Here we go with our Monday shuffle - for now, we are shuffling from the "New Music" playlist... trying to get through as many of those songs as we can before the end of the year.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Turned 24 Today Mix

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Several years ago, someone pointed out that I would often make a very subtle sarcastic comment or joke, and then ruin the effect by saying "Just kidding". This guy even started calling me "Just kidding Joe".  I think he was right. My desire was to make sure I was understood. Like, if people thought I was being serious they might think I was an idiot or mean or whatever. But, it's not my job to explain myself to everyone and it is not my business what they think about me. 

I have tried since then to catch myself when I want to add a "just kidding" - although full disclosure: emojis have kind of given me a cheat on this  ;-) And I'm working on that now, too.  Twice in the last two days I have posted something on social media that was facetious without a "tell" that I was kidding. The first case, if anyone took me as serious, they would think I was kind of stupid and maybe a little self-important. The second case, could potentially lead to a political reaction of some sort...

I don't know. 51 1/2 years in and I'm still working on this life thing, and I'm kind of okay with that for today....

Let's jump headlong into some featured music for a lovely Friday in Nashville...

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Trippin' Balls Mix

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Man - music sure is good for the soul.  After getting into a bit of a funk earlier in the week, I have gone out to hear live music the last two nights and I feel so much better.  Last night, I headed out to Dee's in Madison. Allen Thompson has been hosting a semi-weekly residency there for a few weeks - but this was the first time I was able to make it out, and I am glad I did.  2015 E2TG Artist of the Year, Jon Latham played solo and as he tends to do - he kind of sort of ruled hard.

Allen Thompson and his band were up next... I was reminded of how much I love hearing Allen Thompson sing - whether it is a cover or an original, I know of few singers who throw so much of themselves into a song.

The crowd was filled with lots of my favorite people from the Nashville music community and some of them joined Allen and his band - including Todd Snider, Aaron Lee Tasjan, and Rorey Carroll (and Jon Latham).

Anyway, it is Thursday and for now, we are still working our way through the "New Music" playlist.  The playlist had been down below 400 songs for a day or so, but I added some new music last night and it is up over 400 again. 

Today's shuffle is a good one...

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Bosom of the Valley Mix

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Well, my outlook on life is much better today. The world is still a ginormous mess, but I am more at peace. Music heals.  Hanging out with friends listening to Jon Byrd and then Kevin Gordon at The Family Wash.  Then heading to The 5 Spot for a bit of $2 Tuesday (it had been too long) and catching a cool band called The Speedbumps and Derek Hoke's always awesome set.

I have a training this afternoon, so I have to post this a little early and can't dawdle too much....

It's Wednesday and we get "wild" on Wednesday by shuffling up all the songs on my phone....

Here goes!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Friday Toast in a German Kitchen Mix

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I've said this before... but it comes back time and again.... the reason E2TG has endured for almost six and a half years is because I post just about every day, and I post even when I really don't feel much like posting.  I think it is my nation to constantly think about the what, why, and hows of whatever it is I am doing.  E2TG has definitely evolved over the years - although the basic premise is still the same. "Hey I heard some cool tunes on my way to work, let me tell you about them." 

I do think about what I can do to reach more people - not for my ego (okay - a little for my ego) but mostly to help spread the word about some of the lesser known music that I love. Over the years, I have seen people I wrote about begin to reach a larger audience and get more wide-spread recognition. When that happens, I am proud - not that I feel in any responsible for the success. I have always viewed the artists and bands I write about as a "family" of sorts. These are my people, and over the years there have been triumphs and stumbles, celebrations and mourning. Things have also grown which means my "family" is so large that I lose touch with people sometimes, but I always love hearing about what is up - even if it's not music related. I see people I have written about excelling in all areas of life, and I, too, people struggling. Just as I have excelled and struggled at times.

I am generally a pretty upbeat guy, but I do get down sometimes too.... and I have bouts of self-pity sometimes. 

My point is that I love what I do and I really have no desire to stop. It heartens me when people appreciate what I do and lets me know. It seems kind of petty to expect that, and I try to avoid expectations, but it is appreciated when it happens. And, E2TG has taken me places I could not even have imagined. So, even on days when I don't feel it as much as I would like, I keep on... and man oh man, the cool music I get to listen to really helps a ton!

It's Tuesday - let's see what is "trending"

Musique qui est nouveau Monday Morning Shuffle - It Takes a Pillage Mix

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Well... we finally got some cooler weather here in Nashville.

The world continues to be a pretty screwed up place, and I struggle to find the line between staying aware of all that is going on and maintaining my sanity.

This Saturday night, two E2TG Artists of the Year appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage (backing up Elizabeth Cook) - Jon Latham (2015) and Brian Wright (2016).  I say this just because I am really proud of those guys - not just for this but for all that they are doing.

Disheartened to see all the "Me, too" posts on Facebook from friends and people I admire. I have always believed in the basic goodness of people... and counted bad behavior as an aberration. Sometimes, I begin to doubt that.  This is one of those cases... I have a many female friends involved in  entertainment and sexual harassment and worse seems to be an almost universal experience. And it's not just the entertainment industry.  I wonder sometimes what percentage of men have done this, and what percentage have witnessed it and not spoken up. Am I in that latter group... sadly I know I am. This has to change. We need to talk about this and we need to denormalize (is that a word?) this behavior. I'll admit, I still have questions about what things I need to do or stop doing.  I need to admit that I have those questions and start conversations to get the answers.


In other news, if you wish me Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays or Season Greetings... heck if you say anything to me out of kindness, I am okay with that and I appreciate it.  If you say you are praying for me or sending good thoughts or sending positive energy or anything meant to offer support, I am okay with that and I appreciate it. I think the "War on Christmas" is a lie perpetuated by the far right to divide people.  That's my feeling.  Throughout this "holiday season" try to treat people with kindness, try to think of those who are alone and lonely this time of year in particular, try to give more than you receive.  Do that (or at least try) and you are okay in my back not what if or what you celebrate. 

Ug.... a lot on my mind, and I didn't really intend to write any of that, but it's what came out....

The "New Music" playlist is just under 400 songs, but I have more ready to be added.  Let's shuffle:

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Mad Dog Wine Mix

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Hey all - I got to be quick.  I spent my lunch hour at the Southern Festival of Books - checking out Jon Byrd - so I didn't get to finish this post.

It's Friday - here is what we are featuring today:

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Was it An Accident Mix

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So much on my mind these days... good stuff and not so good stuff and really bad stuff...

I am so happy that WXNA was voted Best Radio Station by the Readers of the Nashville Scene. Even if I did not have a show on the station, I would be a listener and a supporter. Thanks to the incredibly hard work of the Board (all former DJs at Vanderbilt's WRVU), a huge gap in the Nashville landscape was filled in June 2016.  Just yesterday, on my way home from work, I was listening to the station and it occurred to me how much I love listening to shows that play music outside of my "comfort zone" for want of a better term.  The variety of music and talk on the station is incredible.

As for the not so good stuff  and the really bad stuff... well, you can probably guess some of it. #Resist #Persist 

It is Thursday - and it is our recent tradition to do Topical shuffles on Thursday, but to try to get through the many songs in my "new music" playlist- I am devoting Thursday's to new music for the next couple of months.

Shuffle!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Something Else Mix

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I'll be honest, the constant barrage of insanity coming from the (occasional) occupant of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, is exhausting.  It's not just daily, it's like several times a day - behavior that would not be acceptable from any adult human being let alone the POTUS.... the latest (well probably not the latest, I just have the heard to look up the actual latest) threatening the broadcast licenses of a major news organization because he doesn't like what they are reporting. How can anyone- regardless of political ideology accept this?  This is why I insist that my posts here are not political. Granted there is a lot politically that the right does that I don't like or agree with, but the actions and words of the current head of the executive branch go so far beyond "normal" partisan issues. But, hell, I don't think I even know what "normal" is any more.

BUT! I cannot let exhaustion deter me. I must take care of myself, but then I must keep on resisting and persisting. We all must.
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Ah - but music - my solace. Oh man, last night's Songhoy Blues show at The Basement East was incredible. Probably among the best shows I've seen this year. So much positive energy.  It was also great hanging a bit with some of my fellow WXNA DJs  - which doesn't happen often enough for me.  Also, seeing some other friends.  It was hard not to dance and smile, and I have to say I failed miserably at not doing those things.

Now, it is mid-week, and I am semi getting used to my new phone (although I am also researching third party music player apps). Wednesday, we always get "Wild" at E2TG, and today is no exception.  Let's shuffle:

Updated: Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Bad Decisions Mix

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Okay, I'm back after an extra long weekend.  I finally got my phone situation somewhat resolved. Today's shuffle came from the phone.  I'm still learning the ins and outs of the new music player - and there are some things I don't like... somehow, in the rush to make everything bigger and better and shinier, I think simple apps sometimes get screwed up. I just want a music player and to be able to create playlists.  But, I'll get used to it and probably won't remember what it was I didn't like or what it was the old player had.

Anyway, I had to recreate the "New Music" playlist. I think I pared it down a little (dropped some much older tracks which had been hanging around).   I may have accidentally added some things that didn't belong.  (it sounded like something I added recently). ...

Enough - let's get to music. It's the only thing that makes sense anymore...

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Pants in Space Mix

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Okay - false alarm. I'm still on my old phone for at least one more day.  I did get my new phone, and I'm excited about it, but it was not quite ready to go this morning. My old phone is not doing well, but hopefully it will last long enough....

I'm just going to jump right into the Featured Friday shuffle - we have all sorts of things today: a bamboo harvester, a wolf, space pants, pistols, an inflatable duck, and a row boat and more...

Topical Thursday Morning Shuffle - Sanctified Mix

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Well, I managed to keep my phone alive for one last day before the new phone arrives.

It's kind of big deal for E2TG when I change phones.  The blog is based upon the songs and playlists I shuffle on my phone during my morning commute.  Every time, I change phones I wonder how the new music player will work.  And I worry that the new "upgrade" of whatever will decide that everyone streams so why have a way to play your own music.  Or what if it doesn't support playlists or what if I somehow lose all of the music...  Yeah, I worry a lot.

Anyway, this could be the last shuffle on the old phone. And the last from the current "New Music" playlist which stands at 465 songs after today's songs are taken off..

Anyway, it's been a hell of a bad week and music and work have kept me busy. 

In the shameless self-promotion category, I have been furiously working all week on the final details of publishing my novel, The Drift.  I've been trying to write the text for the back cover of the book.  For some reason, I really struggle with writing about myself and my work in this way. Type, backspace, type, backspace, undo, cut, type, paste, backspace, undo, new file, type, reread, get up and walk around, backspace, type, type, save, reread, get up again....


It's shuffle time - let's go!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Lost in the Shuffle Mix

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TFW the President of the United States cannot meet the basic standards of human decency let alone the qualification of the job of President of the United States of America.... when will this madness end?
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A couple of notes:

1. Even though I am focusing on the "New Music" playlist for at least the next month, I have decided to keep Wild Wednesday intact.  It is a good opportunity to dig into the subbasement of my phone's memory to pull out gems which might have slipped by.  These may be "new music" or "Nashville based" or #E2TG related, or they may be classics from my collection or unusual recent discoveries (that don't fit the other categories)

2.  My phone seems to be dying.  I have ordered a new phone which means I will be transferring the music to that device when it arrives.  In my experience, transferring the songs is fine, but I will likely lose all my playlists. If that is the case, I will begin by rebuilding my new music playlist to the best of my ability (and I may take that opportunity to thin out some older songs from that list).  If for some reason, I don't have time to set up the playlist, expect Wild Wednesday shuffles until I get that done.

Now, back behind the curtain... here's the shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Free Fallin' Mix

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Well.... yesterday was pretty much an all-around crappy day.  Waking the news from Las Vegas and the finding out about Tom Petty. 

There is much I want to say about Tom Petty - some of which I have heard other people say better than I could. 

As a writer, music has always inspired me.  First writing fiction, a line from a song would trigger a story. I remember once, being stuck on a short story I was writing, and then going to see some songwriters play and getting lost in their music and suddenly the story coming together in my mind - no so much a direct reaction to a song or a line, but just some cosmic inspiration reaching out of the melody and telling me how the story needed to go.

"Free Fallin'"  I can't say that it is my favorite Tom Petty song - but I do confess to loving it - but back around the turn of this century, I was in the midst of writing 365 short, short stories based upon secondary (and incidental) characters from my novel, The Drift (I ended up writing 388 stories) and a whole series of these stories was inspired by "Free Fallin'"  - "All the vampires walkin' through the valley/ Move west down Ventura Blvd./ And all the bad boys are standing in the shadows/ All the good girls are home with broken hearts"

Music is important to me.  And yesterday was a hard day, but music will ultimately heal. I find myself saying this quite often, but it is what I believe to be the truth.

It would have been easy to just stay in last night, but I chose to go out and listen to people make music.  It was just what I needed.  Thanks to Brian Milligram, John Dennis, Jason Erie, and Josh Gray for being what I needed.   There was not much to smile about yesterday but hearing Josh Gray singing The Dead Milkmen's song, "Punk Rock Girl" (for the second time) made me smile.

So, I'm moving on... with some Trending Tuesday music for this third day of October 2017

Mondo Monday Music Shuffle - Werewolf with No Hair Mix

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Today, I have a very heavy heart about the mass shooting in Las Vegas.  That it occurred at a music concert makes it doubly difficult. At this point, I do not know all of the facts about this shooting - and even if I did, I do not claim to have all of the answers about these recurring tragedies. I have beliefs and I know others have different beliefs when it comes to the various issues that surround situations like this. My wish is that we could, as a nation, step up and say, this is a horrible thing and we must commit to do whatever we can to prevent or at least minimize the chance of this happening again. And from there, we should all have an open mind and respectfully discuss the various issues and ideas and find where we can reach common ground.  Too often, we begin with division and polarization and things go downhill from there. 

Our leaders, who we elect to serve us, must be help accountable... they are the ones that must make the hard choices.  They need to be making the best choices for the nation as a whole -  not the best choices for the billion dollar industries and individuals who funnel money their way. (side note: Citizen United - Orwellian Doublespeak, if I've ever heard it, must be overturned)

Is it too soon after the tragedy to have these conversations? Maybe. But these events seem to happening so often lately that it is always too soon. 

Right now, I will leave it at this:  as in most issues, there are more sides than A or B - there are more than two possible solutions to consider.  It is not us vs. them - it is us vs. us, and it should be us with us. 

Sending love to Las Vegas and all who are hurting or angry or scared or confused. We, as a nation, can do better and we must do better. Again, I do not know all of facts about this shooting - and as is usually the case, there are many different issues at work here. I do believe that we are a resourceful people who can solve the underlying issues. The question is, will we?
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As I always do, I turn to music as a source of healing and a shelter from the storms of the world.

On Monday, we usually feature Nashville connected songs, however, due to the large number of "New Music" songs and the rapid approach of the end of the year, I have decided that for 4 of the 5 days for at least the next month, I am going to shuffle from the new music playlist.  Wednesday will be Wild Wednesday - but every other day will feature "new music" 

Besides, there is a  bunch of Nashville-based music in the "new music" playlist - and some of those came up today.