Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Drums are Two Books Mix

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I have been thinking quite a bit about the state of the world and this country. Since November of last year, and especially since January of this year, I have been in a near constant state of anxiety and depression.  It is hard to separate political differences.  Whereas, I may find certain actions/bills/pronouncements to be abhorrent (gutting protections of the environment and our most vulnerable citizens). These are at least things that can be assessed and debated and hopefully corrected in a democratic (small d) venue. (Although, I have serious concerns about the legitimacy of our democratic process).

But, it is the abusive and offensive tweets, the thinly (if that) veiled racist comments, the boorish behavior.... how any decent person can defend these things is confounding and troubling. There really is no modern precedent for this in the United States. I try to imagine a president that I supported, and who puts forth ideas in line with my values - behaving this way. To be honest, it's very difficult to imagine, but I cannot believe that I would actively support this behavior.  I am sure it would be difficult to admit that I was wrong about someone, but I like to believe I would do the right thing. 

Of course, the flaw in that is that the current president did not conceal his behavior until elected. He was upfront about just how awful he was.  So that is where the, what if falls apart, because I would never vote for someone who acted that way even if they seemed to support things that I support.


The rash of public figures being exposed and facing consequences for their sexual behavior is likewise troubling.  It is a complex issue to be sure. It is odd which people are facing consequences and which are not. And there is likely overreaction is some cases, but not all.

Two thoughts have occurred to me - societal "norms" that I think are contributing factors to this situation. 1. Is the way men are "taught" to behave from a young age. Expectation of masculinity, poor role models  2.  The way people in position of real or imagined power or prestige are treated. You see this from the highest positions with national governments and Fortune 500 companies, and down to the smallest organizations and social structures. If someone is in a position of power, they are not to be questioned or criticized. The idea of following orders without question. Excusing or ignoring or covering up abuses of that power.

Anyway, all of that is just me trying to wrap my mind around the awful circumstances of the world today.
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On with the shuffle....

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Horse and Carriage Mix

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Well... the state of the world and all has me a little down and anxious, and quite frankly pissed off.

And, as I always do, I seek out solace in music. 

Last night it was the final show of Bill Lloyd's 3 out of 4 week November residency. I was captivated as ever by his grasp of the nuances of what makes a great pop song. And his choices of covers were fun.  The audience was treated to a couple of songs by songwriting great Buddy Mondlock.

Tonight, I am making the drive down to Franklin for Music City Roots. 2014 E2TG Artist of the Year Darrin Bradbury will be making his second appearance on that program.  If you can't get to Franklin you can listen and watch on-line.   Also on the bill is Cordovas - one of my favorite bands to see live.

By the way, Darrin's band will include Cameron Carrus on bass, Megan Palmer on fiddle, and Laur Joamets on guitar.

By the way, if I can make it back in time, Maynard and the Musties (who I have been playing quite a bit recently) are playing at Springwater tonight with Nashville Non Prophets (featuring members of St. Luke's Drifters), and singer-songwriter Steven Knudson.

The shuffle today - as we do on Wednesday's comes from a random shuffle of all of the songs saved to my phone currently.  We call it "Wild Wednesday" not just 'cause the results are often wild, but because the shuffle is like a wildcard - it can be anything.

Let's shuffle!

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Keep My Whiskey To Myself Mix

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Well, I'm back after an extended holiday weekend!  I hope everyone is well. The year is winding down. After today, just two more shuffles before December!

The 2017 Earie Awards are coming up soon.  For those new to E2TG, the Earie's are the annual awards that I started a couple of years ago.  It's kind of like the Grammy's or the Emmy's or Oscar's except, I make up categories as I go along and basically give awards to whomever I want (and then stress out over forgetting someone which I inevitably do).

I have been fortunate enough to have been introduced to so much awesome music this year, and I'm feeling unprepared for the Earie's but I will power through.  Each year, the Earie's culminate in the awarding of the Golden Earie awards (Band(s) and/or Artist(s) of the Year - which is a tradition that goes back to the beginning of E2TG).  "The Earie's - they sound kind of strange, but they're really not"

Let's dive right into the shuffle.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - The Champ Mix

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I'm gonna make this relatively quick. I am actually going out for lunch *gasp*

Have a Happy Thanksgiving (unless you are from Canada - in which case I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving last month or from somewhere that doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving - in which case have a happy Thursday).

Today, we get "Wild" and shuffle up from the playlist of all the songs on my phone....

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Time is Money or Time is Honey Mix

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I just wrote and erased a really long, convoluted rant about something that I really couldn't articulate well. Suffice it to say, human beings are complicated creatures and interactions between humans can be even more complicated.

That and this: the best music is that music that moves you and inspires you and energizes you and motivates you and brings some semblance of joy to your life. I know what music does that for me, and if another kind of music does that for someone else, than who am I to criticize that.  Granted, I have been known to dog certain artists or styles of music, but I think I was wrong. I may actively hate a certain artist or style of music. I may sound fake or boring or meaningless to me, and that is fine. But if that music means something to someone, if it moves them, inspires them....


Anyway, it is Tuesday (second to the last day of my work week). Time to see what is "Trending" on E2TG

Mondo Monday Morning Shuffle - Beans, Rice, and Bleached Ravioli Mix

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Thanks to everyone who donated to WXNA during the Fall Pledge Drive, we exceeded our goal!  I know WXNA is a true labor of love for everyone involved, and it is very refreshing to feel that love echoed back from our community.  I am extremely proud to be a part of this incredible radio station!


Heading into a holiday shortened week of shuffles.. thinking about all I have to be thankful for. 

Here is the latest shuffle from our "New Music" playlist.

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Drafty Aisles Mix

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This is my last day to post about the WXNA Fall Pledge Drive, but the drive itself continues through Sunday.  So, if you haven't made a donation, you have just a couple more days to get on board.  You can call 615-933-9962 or go to wxnafm.org it's easy as pie. You can make a one-time donation or set up an automatic monthly bank draft. If you give just $6.00 a month (or $72) - or more - you will receive a WXNA coffee mug.  Everyone who donates will receive a limited edition WNXA heart sticker. What are you waiting for?

Well, we made it the end of another week. This is actually the last full week of blog posts in November.  Next week, I will be posting Monday through Wednesday before taking off for Thanksgiving.  The week after that, Friday is the 1st of December!   That means it is almost time for the 3rd Annual Earie Awards.  Wow!

Well, today is Friday so let's see what songs/bands/albums we are featuring....

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Full Moon Lunatic Mix

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Much love!  The WXNA Fall Pledge Drive 2017 is going well!  If you haven't pledged yet, there is still time.  Go to wxnafm.org to make a quick and easy donation (either one-time gift or an automatic monthly pledge).

If you want to talk to one of our fantastic volunteer DJs, you can donate by calling (615) 933-9962.  I will be answering phones tonight from 10-11pm during Born in a Barn.

It's Thursday, so we go back to the "New Music" playlist to see what is "Trending" on E2TG!

Let's get to it!

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Just Like Frank Sinatra Mix

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It's Day 3 of the WXNA Fall Pledge Drive.  If you have not already done so, please consider donating to WXNA today!  wxnafm.org or 615-933-9962 whenever the station is on the air (like early morning to late night every day).  They have a rad coffee mug if you donate at least $72.00 (that's just $6.00 per month if you set up a monthly bank draft).

It's Wednesday and we get "Wild" on Wednesday... well, our shuffle comes from every single track saved to my phone memory, and the results can get pretty "wild"... 

I added about 200 tracks the other night, and a couple of them show up today...

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Leave the Rest Mix

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Another reminder to donate to WXNA during this week's Fall Pledge Drive!  If you donate at least $72.00 (that's just $6 a month as a recurring payment), you get a spiffy WXNA coffee mug, and more importantly, you get the satisfaction of knowing you helped keep Nashville's Best Radio Station on the air! 

Well, the sun is shining and my mood is much improved. I'm not sure if it's the sun or the fact that I got some things done last night (or both). 

Anyway, it is Tuesday, and we have a shuffle into what is trending at WXNA . Between adding some new music to the playlist and cleaning up some of the previously played songs that never got deleted, the list stands at 415 songs. 

Mondo Monday Morning Shuffle - Terrified Humming Mix

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Hey! It is Fall Pledge Drive time at WXNA. As you may know, this is the non-profit, listener-supported community radio station that hosts the weekly show I co-host called Double Shot with Joe and Sue.  Beyond that, the station has had a tremendous positive impact on the Nashville community (as evidenced by Nashville Scene readers recently naming us Best Radio Station in Nashville).  If you're a WXNA listener, please consider donating during this drive. wxnafm.org or 615-933-9962 #LoveWXNA

Another week is here and we have some songs to feature from the New Music playlist which I am still tweaking from my recent switch over to a new music player.

Let's shuffle:

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - New Music Player Mix

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First off.... Sturgill Simpson for the win!  If you're not sure why, google Sturgill Simspon CMA17

Went to the Tyler Bryant and The Shakedown CD Release show last night.  I had seen them once a couple of years ago - at a show I covered for No Depression.  Last night's show was impressive. Great performances, great songs, high energy, and engaging.   Thanks Mary!

Well, I ended up downloading a new music player app last night and messed around with it when I should have been sleeping.  So far, it seems like I will like it. Still dealing with the issue of the other music player not deleting songs.  I may have discovered why, though, the songs are all stored on a memory card, and apparently with the OS my phone has - you have to give specific permission to an app to allow it to delete from a memory card. At least with my new player, I got a message explaining this - the other one would just appear to delete the file only to have it reappear like magic.

Long story, a little less long, I have to do some work deleting previously played songs, and until then, there is a good chance some songs will repeat. But it will all work itself out.  The only other drawback I see on this music player is that the "Recently Played" listing is not a chronological list of recently played songs - which I like for compiling my blog post. But, you can scroll back through the songs recently played without it shuffling everything again.  On the plus side, the song info shows up on my car stereo when I play the music through my blue tooth interface!

Enough about the logistics of E2TG, let's get to the music!  By the way, I am off work tomorrow so this is likely the final shuffle of the week.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle - Get Off the Pot Mix

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Last night was one of those nights that reminds me why I love Nashville so much.  Bill Lloyd did an early show at The 5 Spot with a great band doing classic and new songs - both those he wrote and choice covers.  He will be back next week and then again for the final Tuesday in November.

Then, I hung around for Derek Hoke's $2 Tuesday. One of the absolute best things this town has to offer. $2 cover, $2 Yazoo beer, consistently great music, and an awesome hang with the coolest of people.

Seeing Rayvon Pettis and Megan Palmer together was a highlight.  And Derek Hoke and his band were as always fantastic.

The audience was filled with a who's who of great artists.  If I believed in namedropping, I would tell you that Aaron Lee Tasjan, Bobby Bare Jr., Zach Schmidt, Jon Byrd, Jon Latham, Joe Fletcher and more were there.  But, like Wynonna told me when I met her a couple of years ago, namedropping is unseemly.

Seriously, I had some inspiring and motivating conversations, and so what if I am really tired today....

Add on the encouraging election results from different places, and I am actually feeling pretty good today.

It is Wednesday and we get "Wild" on Wednesday.  Let's shuffle:

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - The End? Mix

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Well... it's Tuesday.

Another gloomy kind of day in Nashville. 

By the way, I am officially over the music player that came with my new phone. Songs I delete keep reappearing, tags get messed up, the song information doesn't appear on my car stereo when I'm playing from the music player via blue tooth, and a couple of time the same song has reappeared during a shuffle.  I am going to be trying out some music player apps to find a better option. If you have any suggestions, please let me know.

Not really sure what else I am going to say here, so let's just jump headlong into the shuffle.  Here are some of the songs/artists/albums that are "trending" on E2TG.

Mondo Monday Morning Shuffle - Pair of Dice Mix

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Once again, I find myself feeling overwhelmed by the world and "humankind's inhumanity to fellow humans"... and I am also overwhelmed by the divides we see - especially (as far as I can tell) in this country - between people. I see all sorts of layers and causes and symptoms of this problem, but for right now, I don't see any or much hope of a solution.

Does social media exacerbate the problem or merely amplify it?  Comment sections on any even vaguely political post are depressing as hell.  And, just about anything and everything is at least potentially political.  Food, sports, weather, fast food cups, innocuous holiday greetings... all political and by definition divisive in these times. And I want to blame it all on the OTHER side- I really do... but... THE OTHER SIDE is part of the problem.  Everything seems to viewed as a one or the other, all or nothing proposition.  Shop a particular store, well, you must be (fill in the blank).  Watch a particular sport... you get the idea. 

I don't feel like I know a whole lot about much of anything, but in my life, I have ascertained that almost everything is more complex than it seems to be... especially if people are involved. I guess it is a sort of human nature to put people or things into categories... good, evil, progressive, conservative, pro, anti... people rarely ever fit neatly into boxes we design - especially if there are only ever two choices. 

The point I am trying to make is that this either/or thinking tends to back people into a corner. It says you can't be this one thing without being all these other things which get conflated with that one thing. Faced with that, people dig in and end up feeling the need to support something that they might otherwise never support. 

I already said, I don't see a solution in sight - at least not an easy one. All I know to do is to watch and check myself when I find myself exhibiting this either/or mentality or projecting all sorts of things onto people because of one particular aspect of who they are. 

That and music (although that can and has been politicized)... for me music heals a part of me that is damaged and in pain.  For me it is certain songs, artists, styles of music.  For someone else, it may be something else (that I may not like or understand) and that is okay. If music (any music) does that for someone - then who the hell am I to criticize that?

It's a misty, overcast raining Monday in Nashville.   And the world is a harsh and bitter place sometimes.  Here's some music that helped make it a little better this morning for me....

Featured Friday Morning Shuffle - Time is Now Mix

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I went to see Nashville Rep's production of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson last night.  Really good!  Andrew Jackson was cast as a kind of emo rock star. The show was funny and engaging, and the music was great.  Very irreverent and kind of raunchy at times. Perfect.  It was also a great satire of populism and how it doesn't always work out like it seems like it might.


Well, it is Friday.  Another rainy, gloomy day in Nashville. It's been an odd week for me. Not sure why. I took Monday off. Haven't felt 100% most of the week.  Feeling better today.  But, it's Friday! And that means we get to delve into the Featured Friday shuffle - more songs from the "new music" playlist.

Trending Thursday Morning Shuffle - Bruised Orange Mix

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Kind of a gloomy day in Nashville, and Daylight Savings Time is approaching which means it will get darker earlier. 

The world is pretty dark, too, to be honest, but music is my light, and we have some good stuff today to fight the darkness.

Here's today's shuffle of our "new music" playlist.  "new" as defined by me to fit my intention for this playlist.

Wild Wednesday Morning Shuffle- Me Against Me Mix

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Well... it's Wednesday and not only that it is November.  Which means, we have just two months to go in 2017.  The time for the 2017 Earie Awards (3rd Annual) are fast approaching.  Watch this space for more details.

I will be hosting a show in January at The Country.  Be on the lookout for details.

Well, being Wednesday, we shuffle up all of the songs in my phone's memory. We call it "Wild" Wednesday because...well, because the results are often wild. And because it is like a wildcard. You never know what it will be.  Here's today's shuffle.