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I realize that I never actually stated this, but clearly December has been solely about recapping the first eleven months of 2018. I have a ton of new music ready to go in January. Today, we are up to August 2018. Back in August, we didn't think summer would ever end. And it didn't completely end until sometime in October (or at least that is how I remember it).
More Earies and some previous Earie winners return.
"Standard Deviation" by Danny Schmidt
Back in August I had the distinct pleasure to feature Standard Deviation - a single by singer-songwriter Danny Schmidt. It was the first taste of a forthcoming album, that I hope we see in 2019. The song itself is wonderful - combining higher math and physics with a moving story of love. How about the "Physics of the Heart" award for Danny Schmidt.
"Angus" by Beth McKee
Earie winner Beth McKee returns with another track from her awesome Dreamwood Acres album.
"Beats All Day" by The Mouse Outfit; Ellis Meade
Thanks to The Mouse Outfit and their album Jagged Tooth Crook, I was able to get a good glance into the current hip-hop scene in Manchester U.K. The album (and subsequent tour) features The Mouse Outfit collaborating with numerous other musicians and singers from their city. It is a fantastic album and I am giving The Mouse Outfit the 2018 "New Manchester Sound" Earie Award.
"I'm Not High" by Clay Harper
Back in the early, early 1990s (and maybe late 80s???), I remember visiting a friend down in Atlanta. One thing we always did was stop in for a meal at Fellini's Pizza. Clay Harper is the owner of the popular Atlanta area pizza chain. He is also a respected part of the Atlanta music community. In the 1980s, Harper was the songwriter and front man for The Coolies. For his latest solo album, Bleak Beauty - a gorgeous and experimental album, Harper enlists the help of some Georgia music heavy weights including Rick Richards and Kevn Kinney. I'm giving Clay Harper the "Corner of Peachtree and Peachtree"Award.
"Long Lost Friend" by AJ Ghent (j-ent)
Speaking of Atlanta, AJ Ghent (j-ent) has secured his place in Atlanta music history. He played with the legendary Col. Bruce Hampton, and he was once named the Atlanta Braves Band of the Year. This year, we featured his release called The Neo Blues Project. It is a fantastic album filled with blues music updated for the 21st Century. I am giving AJ Ghent the 2018 "New Blues Sounds"Award.
"Please Tell Me" by Jon Worthy
Jon Worthy proves the validity of my long-standing philosophy of always getting to venue early - in time for the first artist. I first saw Jon Worthy in such a slot - opening for a few friends. I was blown away, and I have kept watching his get better and better. His latest album is Only a Dream. "The Get There Early"Award for 2018 goes to Jon Worthy.
"Selfish" by Chris J. Connolly
Chris J. Connolly is already an Earie winner for his album Moving Maps - which cane out in 2017 but which reached our ears in 2018.
"Not No Good" by Justin and the Cosmics
Another 2018 Earie Winner is back in the shuffle with another track from the perfect album PERF. Justin and the Cosmics are among my top-tier favorite live bands in Nashville. And PERF - which I believe was recorded live in the studio - does a great job capturing the energy.
"Replicate the Lightning" by Paul Terry
Regular E2TG readers may or may not know the name Paul Terry, but they will remember his primary recording project Cellarscape. We featured this brief track from the album Cellarscape and Filmscapes Vol. II. The track was included the short documentary film So Much Damage: How Image Comics Changed the World. This 33 second track earns Paul Terry the 2018 Earie for "Brevity in Film"
"Not Beg" by Freevolt
Freevolt return to the shuffle - having already earned their Earie for 2018. Open Up Your Door.
"What Kind of World" by Mike Younger
In these troubled times, we look for artists who use their talents and voices to speak truths. It is easy for an artist to give lip service to a cause or whatever, but it is quite another to speak out in song and otherwise and to stand behind the words you speak. Mike Younger does that. His 2017 album Little Folks Like You and Me takes on a variety of issues and Younger - a Nashville singer-songwriter walks the walk - sometimes paying a price - from bad actors who don't like the truth he is speaking. So, I am giving Mike Younger the "Voice of the People" Award.
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