E2TG 8/12/2020 - Remember When... - Desert Rain Mix (Rag Mama Remix)

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The picture above is the full picture from which the E2TG logo/avatar was taken.  Some background, the original was created/inspired by a novel I was/am trying to write. It is meant to be the self-portrait of one of the main characters named Kevin.  I used colored pencils and did layers using color photocopies to created the finished work. Twelve years ago, I scanned and uploaded the picture to my Facebook account.  At some point, I set the cropped version as my profile picture on my personal Facebook account.  When I created E2TG - originally on a now defunct site called Posterous, I needed an avatar/profile pic, so I chose the one I had been using on Facebook, and I guess the rest his history.  As for the novel, I have been making progress over the years, but it is by far the longest thing I have ever attempted, and it has proven to be a bear to get handle on - in terms of editing. Plus, if I am being honest, although the plot is entirely fictional, many of the emotions are quite personal - which has also proven a challenge. But, I am pressing on... 

Today, we feature songs 19-23 from this week's Playlist.  

19. "Driving Me Insane" by Tom Tikka & The Missing Hubcaps

First up today, we have a track from the new EP from Finnish singer-songwriter Tom Tikka formerly of the band Carmen Gray and more recently of The Impersonators - who are on a six-month hiatus.  The release is a follow-up to his debut solo EP -released earlier this year.

20. "The MiSFIT" by Erin Coburn

Next up, we have the new single from Kentucky-based rock singer-songwriter and guitar phenom Erin Coburn.  It is a song for all who never quite seem to fit in. 

21. "Savages" by DALMAS Emmanuel

Next up, we have a track from this hip-hop rapper and composer from the south west part of France. The song hits hard. 

22. "If I'd Never Let Go" by Joshua

Next up, we have a single from this 15 year old singer from Ireland who has been competing on The Voice Kids UK.  It is a pretty sweet pop song. 

23. "The Godfather" by Are We Static

We close with a nifty bit of indie music from England from the upcoming LP Accepting the Universe.  A nice ending to this segment of music which has been especially diverse, I think. 

Tomorrow, we wrap up this week's playlist as we prepare the way for next week's list. 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 8/11/2020 - Intention - Bitter End Mix (Vacancy Remix)

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I said something on my radio show last week about being intentional and related that to the excuse I sometimes hear (and sometimes have used) when I feel I have fallen short in some way... "Well, it was intentional".  We say that as if it excuses our action or inaction. As if it makes everything okay... but to me it should be considered an admission rather than an excuse - as in, I was not being intentional in my actions and so I (fill in the blank).  To me, this realization is a wake-up call to be more intentional in how I live my life, I am not going to lie - this is not easy - the habit of floating through life with out thought or concern - is hard to break. And such a life may even be appealing. 

I mean, who doesn't want a life of ease and not worries - I think there is a song from The Lion King about it... "every time that I farted...".   But, here is the deal, as I see it, we are seeing a reckoning coming for some long-term injustices and transgressions. Whether it is  "Me, Too" or Black Lives Matter or LGBTQ+ rights or something else... if some has ingrained bad habits surrounding any of these things - in the words we use, in the way we act - then unless we act with intention, we will continue to follow these bad habits and the "excuse" - "It was not intentional" will no longer be an excuse but a confession that we have fallen short of what we could be if we took the time and effort to be intentional. 

Now, we have songs 14-18 of this week's Featured Friday Playlist... 

14. "Lonely Without You" by Cayucas

First up today, we have a new single from this band from Santa Monica - whose name comes from a sleepy little down in San Luis Obispo County. It was released ahead of their new album Blue Summer which is due out in September. 

15. "Creole Girl" by Vincent Cross

Next up, we have a track from an amazing new album by Irish born, New York based singer-songwriter Vincent Cross.  The album is called The Life and Time of James "The Rooster" Corcoran - which is a biographical album about a colorful ancestor of Cross' who was a gang leader and champion of the Irish working class in 19th century Manhattan. Musically, the album draws on the music of the time place of Corcoran's life. 

16. "Cryin' Eyes" by Steven Bruce

Next up, we have a track from Same Time, Same Place, Same Station - the debut album by this singer-songwriter from Fredericksburg, Virginia. Bruce was a founding member of Whiskey Revival. This is a stunning debut, and I look forward to hearing much more from him. 

17. "You Turn Me On - Jim Sclavunos Remix" by Jonny Polonsky 

We have featured Chicago-born, New York based artist Jonny Polonsky before. Here he gets the remix treatment from No Wave legend Jim Sclavunos - who has been a member of Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds since 1994 and was a member of Teenage Jesus & the Jerks. Sclavunos was also an early member of Sonic Youth for their first album and a one-time member of The Cramps.  

18. "King of Suburbia" by Polymer 

We close out this segment of music with the new single from Sydney-based rock band Polymer - from their forthcoming debut album Zealot's Box. A great way to close out this part of the playlist. 
Tomorrow songs 19-23... 
 

    Featured Friday Playlist

E2TG 2/6/2020 - Greetings from Nashville - Rum and Coca Cola Mix (Hangman Remix)

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Well, I can officially announce, that beginning February 13, I am going to have a second show on WXNA. Greetings from Nashville will air every Thursday from 6-7am.  If you can't catch it live, it will be on the WXNA Archives shortly after the show airs.

I expect the show to the a place Where Music City's Past and Present Come Together. It will be an eclectic mix of genres drawing on the wealth of great music that has come from Nashville, Tennessee.

I expect this show to be a learning opportunity for me as much as for anybody else. I hope listeners will let me know what artists I need to include.

Eventually, I hope to have some guests in to talk about Nashville's musical past and present. While I tend to be a forward-looking type of person, I think we ignore our past  at our own peril. There are people in this town who know the real history, and I believe within that history lies lessons that are gravely needed today.


The recent loss of David Olney has lighted a fire under me to hear some of the stories which reside in the minds of long-time residents of this town.

At the same time, the incredible influx of new people as brought some innovative and creative minds to our town, and these newcomers (relative and actual) are making some great music. I believe they would benefit from knowing what it was like 10, 20, 30, and even 40 years ago. Just as I believe that the "old-timers" can benefit from learning what the newcomers see in our city and what they bring to the table.

These may all seem like lofty goals for an hour long radio show that will mostly be music-based, but as I expect Greetings from Nashville to reflect my diverse tastes and interests, I think it will be help for both the listener and myself to keep in mind the method behind my madness.

Greetings From Nashville on WXNA Thursday morning at 6am (beginning February 13) 101.5FM in Nashville and wxnafm.org all around the world. Following the new show on Facebook  or Instagram

    Featured Friday Playlist
 I can't believe it is almost time for a new Featured Friday Playlist.  Where did this week go? Look for a new list tomorrow.

E2TG 1/30/2020 - "First" Listens - Something Else Mix (What Do I Have to Do Remix)

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2nd First Impressions 

Please check out our overdue second edition of First Impressions. Hopefully, I can get some more of these done soon.  Today, we take a quick look at a recent album from Davis Raines and preview two albums due out tomorrow from Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall and John Dennis.  Link is HERE 

    Featured Friday Playlist
(Last day to check out this week's playlist.  The list will refresh tomorrow)

Thursday Shuffle:

A mixed bag today - with some local favorites - some E2TG faves from years past - and a classic tune from my youth. 

"Morse Code" by Tape Deck Mountain (from 21st Century Loosers: The Best of 2009-2019)

"Prove My Love" by Violent Femmes (from Violent Femmes)

Thanks to Blister in the Sun this debut album the album went platinum and finally hit the Billboard charts in 1991 - 9 years after its release. But, in my hometown and the time, only a few of us knew about it and it hit me hard - putting words and music to the raging storm of emotions and chemicals going on in my adolescent brain and body. 

"Something Else" by Candy Apple and The Buddies (from Leprechaun to the Right)

Candy Apple and The Buddies (aka The Buddies) were/are a group featuring members of Smoking Flowers, Justin and the Cosmics, Pale Blue Dot, Welcome to Ashley, and Black Vincent. Here they are doing the Eddie Cochran song. 

"Almost Gone" by Joe Goodkin (from Paper Arrows)
"Pretty Awful" by Magnapop (from The Circle is Round)
"It's a Shame" by Bonsai Universe (from Too Many Ghosts)

Three songs from 2019 releases - all very different. 

"Whiskey Lie" by Andrea Stray (from Vacancy)

A 2010 release from Nashville/Los Angeles singer-songwriter Andrea Stray. 

"You Bring The Class" by The Deadline Shakes (from Zealots)

"It's So Funny" by Dylan Rodrique (from Cat's Game)

"World's Smallest Confederate Veteran" by Luke Powers (from Hwy 100)

A wonderful song from songwriter and poet Luke Powers. I had the pleasure of performing on a spoken word night with him, the late David Olney, Rod Picott, and Rebecca Weiner Tompkins.

"Honey and Sugar" by Lori Kelley (from Under Stars and Storms)

Lori Kelley is a D.C. area transplant, but she has been here several years now. We was among the first group of people I met when I kind of emerged from the shadows into the Nashville music scene. She was a big part of the wonderful Sunday night shows at Bobby's Idle Hour (Eastside Invasion). She is a wonderful songwriter, and this is her most recent release. 

VIDEO PLAYLIST

Recent and Upcoming Releases:

Recent:
11/20   Brock Zeman - Hey Tom (a collection of Tom House Songs) (LP) (E2TG First Impression)
12/1 -   Inkraktare - We Are Not Really Here (LP)
12/2 -  Terry Klein - Live at KOOP (LP)
12/6 -   Beauty in Chaos; Wayne Hussey (The Mission) - "The Delicate Balance of All Things" (single)
12/6 -   Beat Hotel - "Feel It" (single)
12/29 - Them Jones - "The Woman is a Poor Child" (single)
12/31 - Blackfoot Gypsies - Live at The Basement (LP)
1/06 -   Francesco Mariano - "Room 107" (single)
1/08 -   Luis Mojica- Shaman Food (LP)
1/10 - Palm Ghosts - "Wide Awake and Waiting" (single) (E2TG First Impression)
1/10 - Mary Bragg and Drivin' N Cryin' - "Don't Walk Away" (cover) (single)
1/10 - Them Airs - "Food Pyramid" (single)
1/10 -  Lilly Hiatt - "Brightest Star" (single)
1/10 - Strange Majik - "Lo-Fi Hi" (single) (E2TG First Impression)
1/10 - Dean Fields - "Armadillo" (single)
1/10- Chicago Farmer - "All in One Place" (single)
1/10 - Surrija - "Nothing Love" (single)
1/10 - RB Morris - Going Back to the Sky (LP)
1/10 - Guided By Voices - "Volcano" (single)
1/10 - Sunshine Boys - "Infinity Girl" (single)
1/11 - Dolour (Shane Tutmarc) - "The Snake Eye" (single)
1/12 - Francesco Mariano - "Nine Lives" (single)
1/13 - Lauren Anderson  - "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" (cover) (single)
1/14 - Drive-By Truckers - "Thoughts and Prayers" (single)
1/16 - Margo Price - Stone Me (single)
1/17 - Mark Hummel - Wayback Machine (LP)
1/17 - Jonny Polonsky - "The Weeping Souls" (single)
1/17 - Them Airs - Union Suit XL (LP) (E2TG First Impression)
1/17 - Innocence Mission - See You Tomorrow (LP)
1/17 - David Dondero - The Filter Bubble Blues (LP)
1/17 - MONO INC. - "Warriors" (single)
1/17 - Damen - "Americana" (single)
1/19 - Merrill Beach - "Geen"/"Marimba" (single) (E2TG First Impression)
1/21 - Broads and Milly Hirst - "Happisburgh" (single)
1/22 - Davis Raines - Turquoise and Silver (LP) (E2TG First Impression)
1/24 - Kailey Nicole - Kailey Nicole (LP)
1/24 - Mrs. Henry - Live at the Casbah (LP)
1/24 - Aeronautical Pioneer - "Hop High" (single)
1/24 - Three Rivers Project - Confluence (LP)
1/24 - MONO INC. - The Book of Fire (LP)
1/24 - Dispel - Lore (LP)
1/24 - The New Nostalgia - "Nothing is New" (single)
1/24 - The Heliocentrics - "Burning Wooden Ship" (single)
1/24 - Electric High - "Harder to Justify" (single)
1/24 - J. Luke Cloutier - Drown (LP)
1/26 - Nik West - "Tears" (single)
1/28 - Motihari Brigade - Power from Below (LP)

Tomorrow and Saturday:
1/31 - Eric Brace and Last Train Home - Daytime Highs and Overnight Lows (album)
1/31 - Nick Pagliari - Midway (LP)
1/31 - Black Paisley - "Dreams" (single)
1/31 - Jolie Holland - Esconidida (Vinyl Reissue) (LP)
1/31 - John Dennis - Mortal Flames (LP) (E2TG First Impression)
1/31 - Emma Hill - How Could I Have Been So Wrong (EP)
1/31 - Ryan Sobb and the Dead Mall - Concrete Feelings (LP) (E2TG First Impression)
1/31 - Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten) + Danielle de Picciotto (Crime and The City Solution) - The Current (LP)
1/31 - Drive-By Truckers - The Unraveling (LP)
1/31 - Kristen Englenz - "Rebound" (single)
1/31 - Damen - "Disco" (single)
2/01 - Glenn Jones - Ready for the Good Times (LP)


Upcoming:
2/02 - Karabas Barabas - Degenerate National Anthem (LP)
2/07 -  Palm Ghosts -  Wide Awake and Waiting (EP)
2/07 - Emily Zuzik - "Trouble" (single)
2/07 - Chicago Farmer - Flyover Country (LP)
2/07 - Surrija - "Barcelona" (single)
2/07 - The Flyin' A's - No Holds Barred (LP)
2/07 - Harry Stafford - "She Just Blew Me Away" (single)
2/07 - Christopher Paul Stelling - Best of Luck (LP)
2/07 - HMS Morris - "Babanod" (single)
2/07 - Tiny Fighter- "Strangest Thing" (single)
2/07 - Wynnm - "Fire on the Moon" (single)
2/14 - Grant Peeples - Bad Wife (LP)
2/14 - The Heliocentrics - Infinity of Now (LP)
2/14 - Johanna Kuvaja - "Back for Good" (single)
2/14 - Sarah Reynolds - "I Need Love" (single)
2/21 - Sarah Morris - All Mine (LP)
2/21 - Kindergarten - Iphigenia (Reissue) (LP)
2/21 -  Hot Club of L.A.- Cinema Swing (LP)
2/21 - MUUK - Balbuceo (LP)
2/21 - Aaron Beckum - Songs from a Triangle Room (EP)
2/21 - Every 13 Days - Étant Donnés (Reissue) (LP)
2/21 - Seablight - High-Rise Mannequins (EP)
2/21 - Various Artists -Typical Girls Vol. 5 (LP)
2/21 - 12xPretty - 12xPretty (LP)
2/28 - Kristen Englenz - Ingenue (LP)
2/28 - Close Lobsters - Post Neo Anti... (LP)
3/?? - Strange Majik - 20/20 (LP)
3/06 - Surrija - "Sylvette" (single)\
3/06 - Dean Fields - While the Baby Was Sleeping (LP)
3/06 - Broads and Milly Hirst - Ollust (LP)
3/06 - The Mastersons - No Time for Love Songs (LP)
3/06 - Ghostwood Development Project (Feat. Kool Keith) - "Gulley" (single)
3/13 - The Flatmates - The Flatmates (LP)
3/13 - Kleenex Girl Wonder - Ponyoak (20th Anniversary Edition) + BLP (demos and out-takes) (LP)
3/13 - Sandwick - Reconstruct (LP)
3/20 - Matt Wilson and His Orchestra - When I Was a Writer (LP)
3/27 - Lilly Hiatt - Walking Proof (LP)
3/27 - Mayflower Madame - Prepared for a Nightmare (LP)
3/27 - Mairena - "Weird All the Time" (single)
4/03 - Surrija - Surrija (LP)
4/10 - Eliza Gilkyson - 2020 (LP)
4/17 - Paul Burch and WPA Ballclub - Light Sensitive (LP)

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Letters and Trains Mix

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My novel, The Drift is out now!  Paperback or Kindle (Buy the paperback and get a Kindle version for just $.99)

E2TG 7th Anniversary Residency is coming in June to The 5 Spot!

Week 1:  Clark Paterson, The Big Dumb, Rayvon Pettis

Week 2: The End Men, Ted Drozdowski's Psychedelic Circus, Ben de la Cour

Week 3:  Brian Milligram, Microwave Mountain, The Coal Men

Week 4: Joanna Barbera, Bee Taylor, Eli Cook

Well, I'm back after a long weekend. I am actually working from home today so my shuffle was not during my commute as usual but I did have a shuffle and it was a good one.

We missed Music City Monday, but we do have a few Nashville artists in the shuffle:

Trending Tuesday Morning Shuffle - Bring Me Down Mix

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At long last, I am ready to start revealing the line-up for the E2TG 7th Anniversary Celebration.  Like last year, we are hosting a residency.  This year, it is every Thursday in June!  There are four weeks in June and four more days in this week, so the plan is to reveal the line-up for a different week each day. I thought we would be linear and start with Week1 - June 7, 2018!

Rayvon Pettis is the reigning E2TG Artist of the Year, he is great guy, and an incredible songwriter. I am so stoked to have him as part of my residency.  Yesterday, when I was on my way to my epic dental appointment, I listened to the title track of his awesome album, Dying Light, and it straight up gave me goosebumps.





Rayvon will be backed The Big Dumb. The Big Dumb features Javi Jones, Anna Harris, Griffin, Stephen Nicholas Roberts, and Daniel Dolive.  Besides being great musicians and a super tight backing band, The Big Dumb features several great songwriters and they are one of my favorite bands.  They stay pretty busy backing other people and doing other cool things, but when they play their own set, they totally rock. So, I am thrilled to have The Big Dumb doing a set of their own.

When I first heard about Clark Paterson, all I knew was that he was really tall (keep in mind I'm not really all that tall, so most people are tall to me) and he had a big beard. On his album The Final Tradition, he cuts a pretty intimidating figure. When I finally met him, he turned out to be a really nice guy. As for the album, it is among my favorites. I am excited to have him and his band opening the night. 

The line-up is stacked and full, so we will try to start close to on-time - so make plans to arrive.  Thursday June 7, 2018 6:00pm, at The 5 Spot. 

On to our shuffle!  We start with a #TwoferTuesday which we do every time it Tuesday and our random shuffle brings up two songs in a row by the same artist.

Rare Saturday Shuffle - Heart of a Saturday Afternoon Mix

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Well, it's been a little while. Thanks for bearing with me during my brief time away. I will be back to regular posting on Thursday, but I thought I would take a few minutes on this Saturday to listen to some songs from my "New Music Playlist".  I shuffled up the playlist while I did some errands, and I ended up with 17 tracks. I will be rather brief, but if you hear or read about something you like - be sure to dig deeper and shoot me a line if you have any questions.

Mondo Monday Morning Shuffle - Was It An Accident? Mix

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Well, it's time for week two of the 2017 Earie Awards.  I handed out about 25 awards in week 1.  Two weeks to go.  If all goes as planned that we have 10 more shuffles in 2017 and then I will be taking some time off work.  Expect the Golden Earies to post during that break period.

First up a very special "Earie" award to Mary Sack for her tireless work all year round to promote great music, and especially for her dedication to the annual Get Behind The Mule: Tribute to Tom Waits and Benefit for Second Harvest Food bank which happened this past Saturday at The 5 Spot. Judging by the crowd and the talent (musical and visual artists), it was a huge success.  I'm proud to present Mary with the "Force of Nature"award!

Onto the shuffle:

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!